Au Bon Pain has signed a master franchise agreement with REINS International Inc., a Japanese company with an extensive portfolio of over 1400 restaurants including Gyu-Kaku (777 units). The company’s other affiliates are 1346 am/pm convenience stores; Seijo Ishii Co., Ltd. supermarkets; and Costls, Inc. restaurant distributors. http://www.reins.co.jp
“We are thrilled to be partnering with such an experienced food service company for our expansion into Japan,” said Au Bon Pain President/CEO Sue Morelli. “We know that our partners at REINS have the vision to successfully introduce our restaurants to the Japanese market.”
Following a management buy-back of Au Bon Pain this year, Morelli has lead a number of significant growth initiatives, including additional international expansion in Kuwait and Thailand which will add a total of 200 units to the company, and the introduction of The Bistro by Au Bon Pain suburban concept.