QSR Morning Jolt: Paris Baguette Signs First Ohio Franchisee

QSR recently reported that Paris Baguette, a 4,000-plus-unit global bakery franchise with nearly 90 U.S. locations, is eyeing Ohio as a top market for growth and has officially signed Ai Lin, a Chinese-American restaurateur, to open the first location in the Cincinnati market. Lin, who is a multi-brand franchisee, told QSR that she’s been in love with the Paris Baguette concept since she first immigrated to the United States.

Paris Baguette has a considerable presence along the coasts, but the brand is now targeting the Midwest — namely Ohio, according to Mark Mele, the brand’s chief development officer.

“Our bakery will fit well in the Cincinnati market because there are very few options that deliver the same quality of handmade, baked fresh daily croissants, baguettes and pastries,” said Mele. “In our goal to become America’s go-to bakery cafe, the Cincinnati market represents one of the Midwest’s biggest regions with enormous potential for growth.”

Mele stated that Cincinnati’s rapidly growing population, which has boomed to more than  two million, helped the region become an attractive market for Paris Baguette. As the “sky’s the limit” for how many bakeries can open in the area, Mele added that Paris Baguette will help fill the void being left by rivals who are vacating the bakery-cafe space and pivoting towards becoming eateries — a move which Mele said  poises Paris Baguette to become the country’s destination for premier baked goods.

“Our competitors are moving into new territories, turning their bakeries into eateries and leaving the space wide open,” said Mele in the report. “Paris Baguette is staying true to who we are. We’re bringing back bakeries that bake in the store daily. Every day we’re making bread, croissants, pastries and cakes. We also prepare sandwiches and salads in the store, but we’re committed to staking our claim as the top neighborhood bakery, and nobody is coming close to our quality.”

Lin told QSR that she hopes this lack of competition in the space will help provide a fun, relaxing space for the community and neighborhood to gather and sit down with friends and family. Her investment in the brand is also an excellent opportunity to expand her wide-ranging portfolio.

“I love Paris Baguette, not only because of the high-quality products and service the brand is focused on providing, but I also love the brand because it’s constantly striving to grow and develop,” Lin said. “That’s something I want to be part of, and I cannot wait to open the first Paris Baguette in Cincinnati.”

Read more here.