"Even Durian Roll Cake": Paris Baguette Expands to 736 Stores Across 13 Countries Globally

New Store Opens in the Prime District of Vientiane, Laos
First Entry by a Korean Bakery Brand
Operating Stores in 13 Countries Worldwide
Overseas Expansion Planned in Major Markets Including North America

Paris Baguette, the bakery brand operated by Sangmidang Holdings, has opened a new store in Laos, becoming the first Korean company in its sector to do so and further expanding its overseas business operations.

On August 12, Paris Baguette announced that it had opened its first store in Laos at the KokKok Mega Mall Patuxay, a major shopping complex located in the central business district of Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Paris Baguette's first store in Laos is bustling with local customers. Photo by Sangmidang Holdings

The first Paris Baguette store in Laos spans approximately 360 square meters (about 109 pyeong) and offers 72 seats in a bakery café format. It serves popular global items such as “Fresh Yogurt Cream Cake,” “Best Ever Garlic Bread,” and “Crunchy Choco Bun,” as well as desserts like “Mini Choco Twist” and “Mr.&Ms. Bear Madeleine.” Meal options include the “Classic PB Breakfast” and “Grilled Chicken Mushroom Risotto.” The store also sells locally tailored products such as the “Musang King Durian Roll Cake,” catering to the preferences of Laotian consumers.

Previously, Paris Baguette signed a master franchise agreement in 2024 with Lao company Kolao Group and has since been preparing for local market entry. Laos, one of the key countries in the Mekong economic zone, has seen rapid growth in its restaurant and café market, driven by urbanization and an expanding middle class. Demand for premium bakeries and desserts is also on the rise, especially among younger consumers who are increasingly interested in K-culture, making Laos a highly promising market.

Paris Baguette continues to expand its presence in the Southeast Asian market. Last year, it strengthened its business foundation by completing a halal-certified production center in Johor, Malaysia, and in February of this year, all of its stores in Singapore obtained official halal certification from MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore). In July, the company also secured halal certification for all its Indonesian stores. With the new opening in Laos, Paris Baguette now operates in seven Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

Jinsu Hur, Vice Chairman of Paris Baguette, stated, “Expanding into Laos is a significant step towards strengthening our Southeast Asian business network and enhancing our global growth engine. By leveraging Paris Baguette’s accumulated global business capabilities and Kolao Group’s local market expertise, we will offer an optimized business model to ensure sustained growth.”

Paris Baguette’s overseas business is also expanding rapidly, especially in its key global market of North America. As of August 2026, the brand operates 736 international stores in 13 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, China, Mongolia, and seven Southeast Asian nations. This represents an increase of over 300 stores compared to 430 locations in 2021. Currently, there are about 320 stores in North America, and the company plans to add more than 150 new stores this year, aiming to expand this number to over 1,000 by 2030. Additionally, Paris Baguette plans to complete the construction of a bakery factory in Texas, USA, covering approximately 28,000 square meters (about 8,470 pyeong), by 2029, establishing a comprehensive production and supply network across North America.

A Paris Baguette representative stated, “We will continue to expand our store network in major markets, including North America, and strengthen our local production, supply chains, and franchise business foundation to sustain the growth of our global business.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.