News

La Madeleine sells 26 units to franchisee

August 10, 2017

La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe has completed the first phase of its refranchising program. Sugar Land, Texas-based HZ LM Casual Foods, led by Amin Dhanani, one of the general partners of The Dhanani Group, has purchased 26 la Madeleine bakeries in Houston, Austin and Louisiana and secured development rights for 57 additional locations, according to a company press release.

The deal comes just months after la Madeleine announced plans for rapid growth by refranchising entire existing markets of successful restaurants to strong, multi-unit operators of other brands.

"Our shared focus for la Madeleine is growth, Olivier Poirot, CEO of Le Duff America, la Madeleine’s parent company, said in the release. "The Groupe Le Duff model for success is through franchising. This closing represents the first step in our growth initiative, and with partners like Amin, la Madeleine will double in size within the next five years."

Amin Dhanani and The Dhanani Group have been a multi-unit franchisee for more than 25 years and operate more than 800 restaurants throughout the United States.

"I was attracted to la Madeleine first and foremost because my family and I have been la Madeleine guests for many years,” Dhanani said. “Today, it is easy to see that la Madeleine is strong and cultivates a loyal following with industry-leading AUVs. There’s no doubt la Madeleine is ripe for expansion, and we look forward to growing with them.”

La Madeleine will continue to operate corporate bakery-cafes in Dallas.