MANILA – Berjaya Food (International) Sdn. Bhd. plans to spend $1.5 million to build five branches of Paris Baguette, a South Korean café bakery, in the Philippines in the next 12 months, according to a top executive.
Malaysia’s Berjaya Food and Middle Trade Inc. signed a master franchise agreement with Paris Baguette Singapore to introduce the Korean cafe baker in the local market, with its first store slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Under the deal, Berjaya Food (International) and Middle Trade will be the principal operators of the Paris Baguette stores under Paris Baguette Philippines Inc. “The partnership aims to spread the brand’s presence with the establishment of more stores in key cities nationwide,” said Dato’ Sydney Quays, group chief executive of Berjaya Food Berhad.
“It gives us so much pride and excitement to be able to announce this partnership between Berjaya Food International and Middle Trade Inc. in establishing Paris Baguette Philippines Inc.,” Quays said.
“This development came more than six months after a successful expansion in Malaysia, a feat which we hope will be replicated in the Philippines,”
Quays said the company was looking to build an average of five stores a year with an estimated investment of $300,000 per store.
Berjaya Food International, the master franchisor of casual dining restaurant Kenny Rogers Roasters, has seen the robust potential of the Philippine market with its local franchisee Middle Trade.
“The entry of Paris Baguette in the Philippines marks a milestone in our continuous expansion in the ASEAN region,” Quays said.
“We in Berjaya Food have committed ourselves to delivering world-class food and restaurant concepts to our fellow Asian brothers and sisters. Our aim is to build on our aspiration to be a global, diversified and holistic food group,” he said.
Paris Baguette premium bakery brand has been a leader in the Korean bakery industry by introducing and developing European-style bakery culture.
It is also the no. 1 bakery chain in South Korea with over 3,500 stores, and more than 480 locations across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore. The stores have been a backdrop across various K-Dramas and are backed by various Korean celebrities.
The collection of pastries, breads and cakes at Paris Baguette are all baked fresh daily to offer a unique experience to thousands of guests daily with good food and good people.
The company’s success has primarily been driven by its emphasis to provide innovative fare with a modern and wide selection of fresh, clean and healthy products. At the company’s core, Paris Baguette is a bakery that is French-inspired and innovates through global influence.