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 opens 600th overseas store in Toronto
Customers line up to enter Paris Baguette's Bloor Street branch in Toronto, Canada, in this undated photo. Courtesy of SPC Group
By Park Jae-hyuk
SPC Group opened Paris Baguette’s Bloor Street branch in the Canadian city of Toronto, which became the 600th overseas store of the Korean bakery brand, the company said Tuesday.
Neighboring luxurious fashion brand shops, deluxe hotels and fancy restaurants, the Bloor Street branch is the seventh Paris Baguette bakery in Canada.
As a flagship store, it sells croissants, pastries, sandwiches and whipped cream cakes, as well as reusable shopping bags, tumblers and mugs, which are decorated with Paris Baguette’s logo.
“Due to Canada’s status as a major Anglo American country and the French culture in Quebec, the country is a strategically important market for Paris Baguette,” an SPC official said.
“We will expand our global presence for our ‘global great food company’ vision.”
The 600th overseas store’s opening came a year after the 500th store opened last October.
SPC emphasized the significance of the 600th store’s opening in North America, as the region is regarded as the most important market for the company’s global business.
The food firm runs around 190 Paris Baguette bakeries in North America.
Following the opening of 30 Paris Baguette stores in North America this year, SPC plans to open 20 more bakeries there by the end of this year.
The 2024 Paris Baguette Franchise Convention also took place in Las Vegas in August for its franchisees.
Last year, Paris Baguette bakeries abroad generated 650 billion won ($478 million) in revenue, according to SPC.
The bakery chain is set to enter Thailand, Brunei and Laos.
The construction of a halal-certified bakery factory in the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru will also be finished later this year.