Maison Blanc

Last updated
Maison Blanc
Industry Pâtisserie, café
Founded1981 (1981)
Founder Raymond Blanc
DefunctMarch 2017 (2017-03)
Owner Kout Food Group K.S.C.C. (trademarks)

Maison Blanc was a British bakery chain, founded by Raymond Blanc in 1981. [1] [2]

Contents

History

In May 1999, Lyndale Foods purchased Maison Blanc for £12 million. At this point, it was the UK's second largest bakery chain. [3]

In 2007, Kuwaiti firm Kout Food Group rescued Maison Blanc, as Lyndale Foods began to struggle financially. [4]

In the year ending 31 December 2014, Maison Blanc had reported a loss of nearly £3 million. [5]

Closure

In September 2016, Kout Food Group hired a property agent to carry out a strategic review of the 13 Maison Blanc locations and production facility. [6] In December 2016, there were rumours that rival, Patisserie Valerie, would purchase the chain, but with Kout Food Group retaining the brand name. [7]

In March 2017, the chain was closed by Kout Food Group as they began to withdraw from the UK market, with all locations closed down. [8]

In July 2017, it was announced that Patisserie Valerie would move into four former Maison Blanc locations. [9]

In February 2019, Maison Blanc's former production facility was sold to Joe & Seph's. The office space above had served as the UK headquarters for Kout Food Group. [10]

References

  1. "Raymond Blanc OBE". Celebrity Chefs. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  2. "Maison Blanc's store portfolio under review". The Caterer . 2016-09-27. Archived from the original on 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  3. "Lyndale buys Maison Blanc for £12m". www.egi.co.uk. 25 May 1999. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  4. "Raymond Blanc to relaunch Maison Blanc patisserie chain". British Baker. 2009-05-08. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  5. "Maison Blanc's Future Uncertain". Henley Herald. 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  6. "Maison Blanc's store portfolio under review". The Caterer. 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  7. Cooke, Alice (2016-12-05). "Patisserie Holdings eyes Maison Blanc purchase". British Baker. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  8. "Rival may take over cafe". Henley Standard . 2017-03-13. Archived from the original on 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  9. Bamford, Vince (2017-07-24). "Patisserie Valerie opens in former Maison Blanc and extends Sainsbury's tie-up". British Baker. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  10. "KOUT FOOD GROUP RESTAURANTS UK LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-12-18.