Paris Baguette Opens in North Texas
Global bakery café chain Paris Baguette has opened a new location in Richardson, Texas, as of February 27. The opening is part of an aggressive North American expansion for the brand, which already has over 4,000 units worldwide.
The North American expansion is a key priority for Paris Baguette's parent company, the South Korean food and confectionery conglomerate SPC Group. Founded in 1945 as a small bakery called Sangmidang, SPC Group has grown into a global entity. The current chairman, Hur Young-in, is the son of the founder and has been instrumental in the company's growth, including bringing brands like Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts to South Korea. Leading the charge in North America is CEO Darren Tipton, who is overseeing the push to reach 1,000 locations in the U.S. and 100 in Canada by 2030. This rapid growth is supported by a $160 million, 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility currently under construction in Burleson, Texas, which is expected to create 450 jobs and begin production in 2027. The company's growth has been notable, with 77 new cafés opened in North America in 2025 alone. This performance contributed to Paris Baguette being ranked as the #1 bakery café in Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500 list, and #29 overall. The brand has experienced 20 consecutive quarters of positive sales growth, with U.S. sales reaching nearly $500 million. While competitors like Panera Bread have shifted focus towards sandwiches and salads, Paris Baguette has maintained a strong emphasis on its roots as a bakery. Approximately 80% of its sales come from breads, pastries, and cakes. This focus on indulgent baked goods is a key differentiator in the U.S. market. The menu features a blend of French-inspired and Asian-influenced items. Popular offerings include the Strawberry Soft Cream Cake, mochi donuts, and a variety of croissants. The brand also offers unique items such as the "Croissant Crisp," a flattened and pressed croissant with fillings, and savory options like the Curry Croquette and Smoked Sausage Bread. To cater to a wider audience, Paris Baguette has also been expanding its catering services, which saw a 30% revenue increase in the U.S. in 2025. The company launched an online catering platform in August 2025 to streamline group orders. This, along with a growing loyalty program of nearly 750,000 members, demonstrates a multi-faceted approach to market penetration.
