Belgian bakery brand Le Pain Quotidien re-enters India

Belgian bakery and restaurant chain Le Pain Quotidien is re-entering the Indian market through a master franchise agreement with Bake & Brew Pvt Ltd, a venture backed by the diversified Nalanda Group, the chain said in a statement.

The chain plans to set up 100 outlets across India by 2035 over the next decade, it said. “With an initial investment of Rs 35 crore, the venture will begin by launching two outlets in Mumbai, followed by expansion in metros and key travel retail locations, including airports,” the statement said.

Brijesh Agrawal, director of Bake & Brew, said in a statement that the collaboration will meet evolving tastes of Indian consumers.


Annick Van Overstraeten, chief executive of Le Pain Quotidien, said the chain will offer authentic dining experiences and focus on health and wellness. She said the chain is expected to generate about 1,500 jobs.

The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which represents over 5 lakh restaurants in India, projected in a July 10 report that the country’s food services sector would grow at an overall 8.1% CAGR between 2024-2028, while the organised sector would grow at 13.2%. “Food services is the third largest industry in India, valued at Rs 5.69 lakh crore as on FY 24, contributing 1.9% to India’s GDP and is estimated to grow to Rs 7.76 lakh crore by FY28,” the report said.

According to the industry entity, growth in the food services industry is driven by one of the world's largest young populations, rapid urbanization, greater exposure, and high disposable incomes.