PAUL Bakery is launching its first UK franchise and is handing over the reins of its Oxford stores to new owners, father and son hospitality duo Graham and Matthew Allan, who are set to become PAUL’s first franchisees in this exciting new step for the brand.
Graham and Matthew are taking on the business in Oxford and will use it as a platform to further develop the PAUL brand in the region. This includes the PAUL store on the High Street and the PAUL pavilion in the Westgate Oxford Shopping Centre.
PAUL UK sees its growth outside London to be driven by several capable and driven franchise partners, and with a strong track record and franchise development in 50 countries around the world, developing a franchise network in the UK is a logical step in driving growth.
The past 18 months have seen franchising become a key focus for PAUL, and Graham and Matthew are the first of what PAUL UK expect will be a growing number of franchise partners joining the brand in the UK in the coming years.
Mark Hilton, CEO of PAUL UK, said: “At PAUL, our mission is clear – to serve our customers the very best quality, freshly baked food. We are looking for franchising partners who share the same passion for the brand, have sector experience, and the capability to expand the business in a way that’s true to our standards.”
“Having worked in hospitality for years now, Graham and Matthew truly know the industry inside-out and have a clear vision for their PAUL franchise. Their knowledge and desire to grow alongside PAUL means they are a natural fit, and we are very excited that they are joining the brand and taking on this exciting opportunity.”
Matthew, who has worked in hospitality for the past 18 years, is excited to grow his own business as PAUL’s franchisee alongside his father, Graham, who has also enjoyed a long and successful executive career with large international restaurants and retail companies, including Yum Brands, franchisor of well-known brands like KFC and Taco Bell.
Having seen the success of the PAUL concept in different markets around the world, the new franchisees felt inspired to bring PAUL’s outstanding service and high-quality food to other parts of the UK.
“Our number one priority is to contribute to PAUL’s continued success by delivering the same exceptional customer experience that it is well known for. We truly believe PAUL has a distinctive offer, which is unmatched by competitors in the UK market,” said Matthew and Graham.
“We envision the Oxford stores as the first of many spaces across the South-East of England for PAUL customers to come together.”
Under the PAUL franchise, Graham and Matthew look towards significant expansion, with 10 additional stores across the next decade and a vision of opening more stores beyond that.
PAUL is the biggest bakery in France; a “Maison de Qualité” whose values have been perpetuated since 1889 with the opening of its first bakery in Lille. With a passion for good food and commitment to the best traditional baking methods, the company is still family-owned, having passed down five generations of bakers.
PAUL uses traditional methods to produce the freshest bread and best-tasting pâtisserie, bringing the authentic taste of French baking to its local customers across London. Today 4.6 million customers walk through the doors each month, and there is a presence in 47 other countries, including 35 stores in the UK.
The company would be interested in discussing opportunities with like-minded, passionate investors looking to build a business partnering with PAUL.
