Paris Baguette is Opening in Malaysia with Joint Venture Between Berjaya Food and Paris Baguette Singapore

Just yesterday, Berjaya Food Berhad and Paris Baguette Singapore plc have announced the signing of their joint venture agreement to open the South Korean bakery across Malaysia, it’s 8th international market in the world. I had the privilege to witness the singing ceremony which took place at Berjaya Times Square Hotel in KL.

From left: Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Founder & Chairman, Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Dato’ Sydney Quays, Group CEO of Berjaya Food Berhad, Mr Heo Jin-Soon, President, SPC Group and Ms. Hana Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Paris Baguette Southeast Asia during the signing ceremony.

Under the terms of agreement, Berjaya Food will have 50% ownership and will be the principal operators of the Paris Baguette stores locally. The chain bakery will be established in cities across the country, beginning with its first store in Klang Valley sometime at the end of this year.

The signing ceremony is emceed by the lovely Nadia Heng.

“We are pleased to announce this new joint venture for Berjaya Food, delivering on our commitment to become a more holistic food and beverage group. The addition of a bakery chain in our portfolio represents a significant milestone in our efforts to exceed the expectations of the Malaysian consumers,” stated Dato’ Sydney Quays, Group Chief Executive Officer, Berjaya Food Berhad. “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to bring the unparalleled collection of baked goods from Paris Baguette to the Malaysian market.”

Dato’ Sydney Quays, Group Chief Executive Officer, Berjaya Food Berhad

Paris Baguette is a French-inspired bakery founded in South Korea in 1988. It is a premium bakery brand that has been a leader of the Korean bakery industry by introducing and developing European-style bakery culture for the first time in Korea. It is also the no. 1 bakery chain in South Korea with over 3,400 stores, and more than 440 locations across the United States, China, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Singapore. The stores have been a backdrop across various K-Dramas and backed by various Korean celebrities as the brand’s official spokesperson.

Hana Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Paris Baguette Southeast Asia

“We look forward to launching Paris Baguette in Malaysia in partnership with Berjaya Food. With a strong track record in restaurant and café chain development and operations in the country, Berjaya Food is an excellent partner as we look to scale up our business in Malaysia. Our mission is to create happiness in every bite, and we look forward to bringing Paris Baguette cafes to consumers in Malaysia, where they can bond over good food and great conversations,” said . “Malaysia presents an exciting opportunity for our brand as we enter a new decade of Paris Baguette in Southeast Asia, and further strengthens our growing presence in the region.”

Five Paris Baguette stores are in the planning to be opened within a year and total of 50 stores in the period of 10 years.

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 foods 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.

With almost 30 years of experience in retail in the region, including operating the Starbucks retail stores in Malaysia and Brunei, Berjaya Food Berhad will have the exclusive rights as the local operating licensee of the Paris Baguette stores in Malaysia. The strategic partnership is also part of Berjaya Food’s broader retail push to be a more inclusive food & beverage group on the main market in Bursa.

A display of the Paris Baguette products.

In addition, Paris Baguette’s parent company, SPC Group has begun the initial stages of building their regional manufactory and distribution centre named SPC Centre, Johor. The group plans to obtain Halal certification for this centre. Once completed, the centre will cater the Southeast Asia and the Middle East market, including Malaysia.

With the halal certification, it's definitely a great news for our muslim friends to enjoy the food offered in Paris Baguette. I'm sure some of you might want to know when and where will be the first store? They didn't give us an exact answer but it will be by end of this year and in a mall located in Klang Valley, most likely to be in KL city centre. Have you tried it before in Singapore or Korea? Do let me know your thoughts in the comment section down below.

For more information and updates on Paris Baguette, please visit www.parisbaguette.com.sg.

So yeah, we are finally getting this meme in Malaysia soon. Hahaha! :D