Au Bon Pain expanding overseas locations

Some news about one of my favorite bakery and cafe chains Au Bon Pain, although still no plans to open in India as yet. Boston.com reports that the the company will be doubling its locations, adding 200 new stores in overseas locations through franchising agreements with local companies in Kuwait and Thailand. The company has tied up with The sultan Center in Kuwait to open 100 stores in the Middle East and North Africa and with ABP Thailand to open 100 cafes and kiosks in Thailand.

Au Bon Pain currently counts 255 cafes, including 115 company-owned locations in Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, and franchisee-owned cafes in 19 states. The privately held chain also has overseas cafes in South Korea and Taiwan.

The 28-year-old company has recently emphasized adding franchise locations to the chain's traditionally company-owned cafes, giving Au Bon Pain greater access to prime real estate, Morelli said.

Many of the chain's cafes are located in big cities, and in or near shopping malls, university campuses, hospitals and transit centers.