Paris Baguette stores overseas surpass 500

Paris Baguette bakery shops overseas [SPC GROUP]

The number of Paris Baguette bakeries overseas surpassed 500 branches following the opening of some 50 stores in the United States, China and Canada this year, franchise operator SPC Group said on Sunday.

The 500th store opened at Changi Airport in Singapore, which SPC said is an essential market for the company.

SPC plans to open another 50 stores abroad by the end of the year, including in the United States and China. The company also said it plans to establish a production factory in Malaysia that produces halal-certified bread for Muslims, who account for 24 percent of the global population.

“We’ve achieved the 500th global store based on a continued investment and effort, competing against global brands since we started the global business in 2004” in China, SPC Group President Hur Jin-soo said in a statement.

SPC operates businesses in 10 countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]