[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] Paris Baguette ranked 29th overall and 1st in the bakery cafe category in the '2026 Franchise 500' announced by the American business media outlet 'Entrepreneur'.

Paris Baguette has climbed its rankings each year, from 61st in 2024 to 42nd in 2025 and 29th this year, entering the top 30. Paris Baguette is the only domestic brand to make it to the top 30 of the Franchise 500 this year. It is recognized for demonstrating both growth potential and business stability in the US, a fiercely contested global franchise market.

The Franchise 500 is an evaluation index published by Entrepreneur, a leading American business magazine along with Forbes and Fortune, since 1980, and is considered a representative barometer for measuring the competitiveness of the American franchise market.

Each year, the company ranks brands operating franchises in North America based on a comprehensive evaluation of over 150 criteria, including franchise size and growth, franchise infrastructure, marketing support, brand competitiveness, and financial stability. This year, 1,354 brands headquartered in North America and operating at least 10 stores were included in the evaluation.

In fact, Paris Baguette opened 77 new stores in North America last year alone, bringing its total to 285. Building on the approximately 100 lease agreements and 300 development contracts signed last year, the company plans to open over 150 additional stores across North America this year, bringing its total number of stores to over 400.

A stable sales flow is also supporting the growth. Paris Baguette recorded 20 consecutive quarters of sales growth from the first quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of last year, and its US sales in 2025 are expected to increase by approximately 30% year-on-year.

To fully expand its US operations, the company broke ground on a 28,000-square-foot bakery in Texas last September. Scheduled for completion in 2029, this facility is expected to serve as a key hub for improving production and logistics efficiency in the North American market and strengthening its competitive edge in locally tailored quality.

"The Franchise 500 is recognized as the most authoritative index in the franchise industry," said Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette America. "This achievement is a testament to the competitiveness and growth potential of Paris Baguette's global franchise business model."

Meanwhile, Paris Baguette is actively engaging in brand awareness and marketing activities to appeal to local consumers in the US. Last year, for the second consecutive year, it participated in the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to showcase its holiday cakes.

Paris Baguette has also continued to expand its local media presence, with advertisements on Times Square billboards and merchandise featured on CBS's "The Drew Barrymore Show." This year, it became the first Korean food and restaurant company to sign a sponsorship deal with Los Angeles FC (LAFC), a Major League Soccer (MLS) team based in Los Angeles, marking a global sports marketing initiative.