Maison Blanc

Maison Blanc
IndustryPâtisserie, café
Founded1981 (1981)
FounderRaymond Blanc
DefunctMarch 2017 (2017-03)
OwnerKout Food Group K.S.C.C. (trademarks)

Maison Blanc was a British bakery chain, founded by Raymond Blanc in 1981.

History

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

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

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

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. In December 2016, there were rumours that rival, Patisserie Valerie, would purchase the chain, but with Kout Food Group retaining the brand name.

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.

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

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.

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.