Paul opens first franchise store in the UK

The 35-strong group in the UK has handed over the running of its Oxford venue to father and son Graham and Matthew Allan in what is set to become the first of multiple franchise Paul stores across the UK.
 
The past 18 months has seen franchising become a key focus for Paul​​, which says that growth outside of London is likely to be driven by franchise partners and that developing a franchise network in the UK is a logical step.

“At Paul our mission is clear - to serve our customers the very best quality, freshly baked food. We are looking for franchising partners who share the same passion for the brand, have sector experience and the capability to expand the business in a way that’s true to our standards,” says CEO Mark Hilton.
 
“Having worked in hospitality for years now, Graham and Matthew truly know the industry inside-out and have a clear vision for their Paul franchise. Their knowledge and desire to grow alongside Paul means they are a natural fit, and we are very excited that they are joining the brand and taking on this exciting opportunity.”

The Allans say they are looking towards significant expansion, with 10 additional stores planned over the next decade under a franchise model.
 
“Our number one priority is to contribute to Paul’s continued success by delivering the same exceptional customer experience that it is well known for. We truly believe PAUL has a distinctive offer which is unmatched by competitors in the UK market,” they say.  
 
“We envision the Oxford store as the first of many spaces across the south-east of England for Paul customers to come together.”