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Brisbane boulangerie and patisserie chain Le Bon Choix will open its ninth outlet in August after recently moving into a $5 million state-of-the-art production facility in Brendale, following "huge demand" that has prompted ambitious expansion plans.
At Le Bon Choix, which means "The Good Choice" in French, the decision to set up the 1,600sqm facility would have been a 'choix très difficile' for director and founder Savico Basset-Rouge, taking a leap of faith to grow the French Renaissance-style Queensland institution.
The home-grown company will open its next outlet in Indooroopilly in August, adding to retail outlets in Edward and Queen Streets in Brisbane CBD, in Ascot, Carindale, Chermside, North Lakes, Upper Mt Gravatt, and at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.
The chain signed a 10-year lease in April 2022 for the Brendale property, which is double the size of the previous site in Geebung. Now with more than 150 employed and a facility that is baking and creating treats 24/7, Le Bon Choix also has plans to expand interstate and internationally.
"It’s safe to say we’ve come a long way since our first cafe on Queen Street in 2007," Basset-Rouge says.
"This project has been two years in the making and will allow our unique Le Bon Choix brand to increase production by three- fold. The capacity to increase production is instrumental to meet our existing demand, and assist future expansion."
Basset-Rouge tells Business News Australia of plans to launch new stores at Coolangatta Airport on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore following the Indooroopilly opening.
"Then we're moving into Western Australia next year. Western Australia is key for us - my plan is to always do business that's achievable, that's successful, and so far so good. People have approached me, they want us to be there," he explains.
He also plans to take the brand global in 2023 with new stores to open in Dubai, Singapore and his native Mauritius.
"We’re very excited with the Dubai project – we’re on-line with the biggest mall in the world," he says.
The new production centre has sourced leading European baking equipment to ensure high quality standards.
"The main priority is, and always will be the authenticity of our products. Whether it’s indulgent cakes, almond croissants, or a loaf of sourdough bread… the authenticity is what makes us Le Bon Choix," the director explains.
"By investing heavily in the finest of European baking equipment and technology, we ensure our products are as authentic as the day we started."
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