News

Brioche Dorée lands in Charlotte airport

April 2, 2014

Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport can soon get a taste of Paris between every arrival and departure when Brioche Dorée, the Parisian-style urban bakery café, opens in the airport's E Concourse on April 11."Brioche Dorée is not your ordinary fast food airport fare," Sandy Dunn, vice president and general manager of the new café at Charlotte International Airport, said in a company press release. "It's a fresher, healthier option than some of the meals people on the go are accustomed to when at the airport. Everything is made in the café."

Dunn and her business partner, Judy Ewing-Lonetti, have owned and managed restaurants at the Charlotte International Airport for 27 years. As Ewing Dunn, business partners of HMS Host, the two have owned eight restaurants and retail shops at the airport for nearly three decades.

"This location is exceptional. We're directly connected to commuters from all over the world," said Ewing-Lonetti, CEO of Ewing Dunn. "Whether you are in a rush to catch your next flight, or have a few minutes to relax in the E Concourse food court, the Brioche Dorée café is sure to delight folks who need a quick coffee fix or a small meal they won't feel guilty about later."

Charlotte's new Brioche Dorée will feature an updated, modern urban style that was first introduced in Toronto last year, according to the release. The Charlotte location and future Brioche cafés will highlight the brand's trademark glass displays, accompanied by darker wood furnishing and stark red overtones.

Brioche Dorée has more than 600 bakeries in operation throughout Europe and Asia, but North American airports present the brand with growth opportunities unlike anywhere else in the world, said Jeff Drake, president of Brioche Dorée.

"Brioche Dorée is excited to explore new expansion opportunities as we bring our fresh bakery experience to more guests across North America," Drake said. "Our cafés are perfectly designed for air travelers that want fresh bakery options and delicious drinks, in a setting that serves busy commuters and folks who have time to relax at the airport food court. We look forward to nurturing our relationship with the Ewing Dunn team, as well as travelers in the region."

The Parisian-style urban bakery café recently announced a franchise and licensing growth strategy for 2014, and beyond that will significantly increase its North American presence, Drake said. Current plans call to expand Brioche Dorée by 15 percent annually, including a focus on North American airports.