SPC Group-owned Paris Baguette Singapore has partnered with Berjaya Food Bhd, the operator of Starbucks in Malaysia, to roll out Paris Baguette stores across the country this year.

The joint venture, which Berjaya Food will own 50 per cent, is part of SPC Group’s strategy to further strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. Malaysia will mark Paris Baguette’s eighth international destination, after Vietnam, the US, China, France, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia. The country’s first Paris Baguette store will launch in Klang Valley by the end of this year. 

Under the partnership, the South Korean retailer aims to open more than 600 stores in Southeast Asia by 2030. The chain is also eyeing expanding to the UK and China. Paris Baguette currently owns more than 4000 units globally.

SPC Group is also set to open Paris Baguette’s first halal-certified bakery manufacturing and distribution centre in Johor, Malaysia next year as the South Korean retailer aims to tap into the US$2 trillion halal food market. 

About RM130 million (US$29.5 million) will be invested in the construction of the Johor-based facility, which will commence this year’s third quarter. Spanning 16,500sqm, the centre will be located at Nusajaya Tech Park, which connects to international airports and seaports in both Singapore and Malaysia.

“The SPC Centre, Johor, will act as a cornerstone of our Southeast Asia business expansion and aid in the venture into the Middle East,” said Huh Young-in, chairman of SPC Group.

The Johor-based SPC centre will manufacture about 100 items such as bread, cake and dessert to supply to Paris Baguette outlets in Southeast Asia countries, including Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.