Le Pain Quotidien facts for kids
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Le Pain Quotidien, Chelsea, London
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| Founded | 26 October 1990 |
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| Founder | Alain Coumont |
| Headquarters | New York City (U.S. division) |
Le Pain Quotidien (which means the daily bread in French) is a well-known international chain of bakery-restaurants. These places sell delicious baked goods, fresh bread, salads, sandwiches, and special open-faced sandwiches called tartines. They also offer a variety of drinks.
You can find Le Pain Quotidien in many places around the world. There are over 260 locations in 20 different countries. These include countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and many more. Some of these restaurants are owned by the company itself, while others are run by local partners as franchises.
A special feature you'll see in almost every Le Pain Quotidien is a long, wooden "communal table." This table is designed for people to sit together and share a meal, creating a friendly atmosphere.
The Story of Le Pain Quotidien
Le Pain Quotidien was started by a chef named Alain Coumont. He opened the first restaurant on October 26, 1990, in Brussels, Belgium. Alain loved good bread, but he wasn't happy with the bread he found in Brussels. So, he decided to make his own.
He mixed flour, water, and salt to create the kind of bread he remembered from his childhood. For his first shop, he found old cabinets from antique stores. He also found a large wooden table made from old train floors. This was the very first "communal table" that became famous in all Le Pain Quotidien restaurants.
Growing Around the World
The first Le Pain Quotidien in the United States opened in 1997. It was located on Madison Avenue in New York City. By 2005, many people wanted to open their own Le Pain Quotidien. The founder was getting about 50 emails every day from people interested in starting a franchise.
Over the years, the company continued to grow. In 2016, new leaders took charge of the company's operations in the U.S. and globally.
Challenges and Changes
Like many businesses, Le Pain Quotidien has faced some challenges. In May 2020, the company had to reorganize its business in Belgium and the United States. This was a difficult time for many companies around the world.
However, a company from New York called Aurify Brands stepped in to help. They made a deal to buy the U.S. restaurants. Aurify Brands planned to reopen many locations and create new jobs.
More recently, in July 2023, most of the Le Pain Quotidien locations in the United Kingdom closed. By 2024, all locations in Hong Kong had also closed permanently.
Despite these changes, Le Pain Quotidien continues to operate in many countries. The company has plans to open more restaurants in places like India in the future.
