South Korean food company SPC Group has partnered with Italian coffee chain Pascucci to gain a footprint in the Italian market.

SPC Group chairman Hur Young-in met Pascucci CEO and founder Mario Pascucci in South Korea last week. The companies are keen to collaborate on business opportunities including opening the first Paris Baguette store in Italy and further expanding in Europe.

SPC Group franchises more than 530 Pascucci stores across East Asia.

“Pascucci is a very important global partner who has been with us for 22 years, and we expect to explore more diverse business opportunities through this meeting,” SPC Group said.

“We will continue to discover new growth engines at home and abroad and continue to strengthen our global business through close cooperation with global companies.”

SPC Group also operates Baskin Robbins, Dunkin’, Jamba, Coffee@Works and Bakery Factory stores in South Korea.