Paris Baguette, a bakery café chain operated by South Korea’s SPC Group, has moved decisively up the ranks of the U.S. franchise industry, underscoring how a foreign-born concept is finding room to scale in one of the world’s most competitive food-service markets.
The chain ranked twenty-ninth in the 2026 Franchise 500 published by Entrepreneur, rising thirteen places from the previous year and entering the top thirty for the first time.
The Franchise 500, now in its forty-seventh year, is closely watched across the U.S. franchise sector as a measure of system durability rather than short-term momentum. Rankings are based on more than one hundred fifty factors, including financial strength, growth pace, franchisee support and cost structure. Movement near the top tends to be gradual, reflecting how difficult it is to expand profitably in a mature market. Against that backdrop, Paris Baguette’s advance stands out.
The gain was driven by rapid expansion across the United States. The company opened seventy-seven new locations last year and signed more than one hundred lease agreements along with roughly three hundred development contracts, signaling sustained franchisee demand. It plans to add more than one hundred fifty additional stores across North America this year, pushing its total footprint above four hundred locations.
Within the bakery café category, Paris Baguette ranked first overall, ahead of domestic competitors. The brand, operated by SPC Group, has positioned itself between traditional coffee chains and quick-service bakeries, emphasizing bread and pastries baked on site alongside beverages and desserts. That hybrid format has historically been difficult to scale nationally, but it continues to attract operators seeking differentiation in a crowded landscape.
The company’s standardized operating system has played a central role in supporting growth, helping limit the operational inconsistencies that often undermine fast-expanding restaurant franchises. Darren Tipton, chief executive of Paris Baguette’s Americas business, said the ranking reflects the competitiveness and stability of the brand’s U.S. franchise model.
Paris Baguette’s rise carries added significance at a time when many restaurant operators are slowing expansion amid higher costs and tighter site economics. Moving into the top thirty suggests the company’s U.S. strategy is shifting from experimental growth to a more established phase.
The company said it intends to maintain its expansion pace while placing greater emphasis on franchisee profitability and brand strength, as it works to further entrench itself in the U.S. franchise market.
