We are meeting with Larry Sidoti, Chief Development Officer of Paris Baguette.  Paris Baguette, a fast-casual premier baking concept so popular in parts of South Korea, China, Singapore and Vietnam that you can’t go more than a few blocks without seeing one of their 3,700 locations.

While seeing roaring international success, Paris Baguette is now setting out to shake up the All-American bakery-café market in the United States. The company first debuted in the states in 2005, and just began franchising in 2015. With a current presence of 43 corporate locations and two franchise locations from the West Coast to the East Coast, the company is projected to open more than 350 locations by 2020.

Despite its name and Eiffel Tower logo, Paris Baguette’s deep Korean roots date back 70 years before the brand was first introduced to the United States with the opening of its Los Angeles location in 2005, and just began franchising in August, 2015. The company is sure to shake up the historically All-American bakery-café marketplace competition with its support-oriented business model, a worldlier menu selection with international flare and elevated ambiance.

COMPANY INFO:

·         90% of locations in Asia are franchise owned; U.S. franchise opportunity launched in Aug. 2015

·         Average unit volume: nearly $2.5M

In part 2, we will hear a clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.