Park Jae-hyuk is a seasoned journalist who has provided comprehensive coverage of South Korea's corporate dynamics, economic policies, industry challenges and the global positioning of Korean companies. Based on the articles he has written since joining The Korea Times in 2016, his investigative approach has helped readers understand corporate governance, economic trends and business strategies shaping South Korea’s economy.
Paris Baguette becomes global brand
Paris Baguette bakery in Manhattan / Courtesy of SPC Group
By Park Jae-hyuk
By Park Jae-hyuk
SPC Group said Monday it is operating more than 330 Paris Baguette bakeries in China, the United States, Vietnam, Singapore and France.
After opening the first overseas store in Shanghai in September 2004, the food conglomerate has made continuous efforts to show the excellence of the Korean bakery brand to customers worldwide.
In the U.S. market, SPC established a local affiliate in 2002 and opened America's first Paris Baguette bakery in L.A.'s Korea Town in October 2005.
Since 2013, the bakery brand has successfully penetrated into the mainstream market, such as Times Square, Midtown 52nd Street and the Upper West Side 70th Street.
The company said it is operating 60 stores in the U.S., most of which are located in California and New York.
SPC started its franchise business there in May 2016, when it opened America's first franchised Paris Baguette bakery on Hostetter Road in San Jose, California.
It plans to increase the number of Paris Baguette stores in operation in the U.S. to 300 by 2020, creating up to 10,000 new jobs.
In China, SPC is operating 240 Paris Baguette bakeries in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
SPC said the number proves the Chinese market has not only accepted but embraced the company's products.
Paris Baguette is also the first Korean bakery to open in Nanjing.
After opening a store in the eastern Chinese city in November 2011, SPC has expanded its presence to Dalian since 2012.
SPC has won the hearts of consumers in Southeast Asia as well.
The company opened the 100th Paris Baguette overseas store in Cao Thang, Ho Chi Minh City, in March 2012 and Singapore's first Paris Baguette in September that year.
According to SPC, Paris Baguette has attracted employees at Singapore Changi International Airport with its taste, quality, service and safety, since the company opened the bakery there in 2014.
Due to its success of its first store at the airport, SPC opened three additional stores there last year.
Paris Baguette has also expanded its presence in Paris, the city famous for bread.
Opening two Paris Baguette stores in Paris in 2014 and 2015, SPC has been set to enter the European market and into countries influenced by French culture.