{
  "id": 530534,
  "title": "Paris Baguette opens 1st store in Laos, expanding across Southeast Asia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/paris-baguette-opens-1st-store-in-laos-expanding-across-southeast-asia-530534",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T04:27:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260811/paris-baguette-opens-1st-store-in-laos-expanding-across-southeast-asia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paris Baguette, a Korean bakery-cafe chain, has inaugurated its maiden store in Laos, marking the brand's debut in Southeast Asia and its expansion within the region. The company's presence now spans seven Southeast Asian nations following prior ventures into Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Laos, a key economic player in the Mekong region, has witnessed a rapid growth in its dining and cafe sector, driven by urbanization, a burgeoning middle class, and an increasing curiosity in Korean culture among the younger demographic, as noted by Paris Baguette.\n\nA master franchise agreement was inked between Paris Baguette and KOLAO Group, a prominent Laotian conglomerate, in 2024 to venture into the Lao market. The newly established store is situated on the ground floor of KokKok Mega Mall Patuxay, a recently built shopping complex in the Patuxay district, a significant commercial hub in the capital city, Vientiane. The bakery cafe, occupying an area of approximately 360 square meters, offers seating for 72 patrons. Its menu comprises globally acclaimed items, such as the Fresh Yogurt Cream Cake, among others.",
  "summary": "Paris Baguette has opened its first store in Laos, becoming the first Korean bakery brand to enter the country as it expands its footprint in Southeast Asia, the company announced Tuesday. The Korean bakery-cafe chain now operates in seven Southeast Asian countries, following earlier entries into Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Cambodia. Laos, one of the main…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Paris Baguette opens 1st outlet in Laos",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/paris-baguette-opens-1st-outlet-in-laos",
        "published": "2026-08-11T02:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Paris Baguette opens 1st store in Laos, expanding across Southeast Asia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/paris-baguette-opens-1st-store-in-laos-expanding-across-southeast-asia",
        "published": "2026-08-11T02:57:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}