French bakery to enter new GCC markets in 2012-13

Paul, the French bakery and restaurant that already operates 24 outlets in the GCC, has revealed expansion plans over the next 18 months. Christian Salloum, brand manager of Paul Middle East has revealed it will open 10 new outlets in 2012, with a further eight planned for 2013. In 2012 it will open five outlets in new markets Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Oman. Paul will also expand in existing markets with two new outlets in Bawabat Al Sharq mall and Al Wahda mall, Abu Dhabi; one in Lagoona mall, Qatar; and two in Mohandesseen and Korba areas, Cairo. Salloum told Caterer Middle East: “Paul’s expansion plan for the coming years is aggressive.” Outlets need to be “very accessible to our customers and are why Paul goes from strength to strength in the region”, he said. Salloum also revealed that the brand’s five most profitable outlets are in the UAE and Qatar. Paul's success story dates back to its start as a bakery in northern France omore than 120 years ago. Today, it is a family-run business with 450-plus outlets worldwide.