La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe successfully completed the second phase of its refranchising program with the sale of its Atlanta restaurants this week. San Antonio-based R. Hakim Corp., led by Vice President Kyle Hakim, purchased the three bakery-cafes and has committed to opening 15 additional locations in Atlanta and North Carolina.
The deal comes just weeks after la Madeleine announced the purchase of 26 locations in Houston, Austin and Louisiana by HZ LM Casual Foods, with secured development rights to open 57 additional locations.
“This closing brings la Madeleine another step towardsour goal to double in size within the next five years,” says Le Duff America CEO Olivier Poirot. “Our unique growth strategy allows for operators, such as Hakim, to hit the ground running with whole markets and top-performing stores.”
A multi-unit franchisee for over 25 years and a la Madeleine franchisee for two years, R. Hakim Corp. operates 36 restaurants throughout the United States including three la Madeleine locations in Atlanta and Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. The group was recognized as “Franchisee of the Year” by IHOP in 2008.
“Growing up in San Antonio, some of my fondest memories are from frequent visits to la Madeleine with family and friends,” says Hakim. “La Madeleine has extraordinary appeal and there is not another eatery that offers the same culinary experience and industry-leading AUVs. With strong operations already in place at our current locations, we are ready to move forward with la Madeleine’s expansion throughout North Carolina and the neighborhoods of Atlanta.”
“As one of our leading franchisee partners, Hakim has proven to be a great advocate of the la Madeleine brand, and we look forward to continuing our relationship,” says la Madeleine President John Cahill. “With his knowledge of and experience in the Atlanta and North Carolina markets, we know he will succeed, providing exceptional service to all la Madeleine guests.”
La Madeleine will continue to operate corporate bakery-cafes in Dallas so it can continue to demonstrate operational excellence to support franchisees.
La Madeleine’s parent company, Le Duff America Inc., is the Dallas-based affiiliate of Groupe Le Duff, the world leader in the bakery-cafe segment with 35,000 employees and nearly 2,000 locations across five continents and 90 countries with annual sales topping $2 billion. Le Duff also operates French-inspired brands Mimi’s Cafe and Brioche Dorée North America.
