Staffed During the Day, Unmanned at Night and Early Morning
Paris Baguette announced on December 26 that it will introduce a 'hybrid store' model, becoming the first in the franchise bakery industry to operate stores 24 hours a day.
Paris Baguette Yeonsinnae Branch, the first in the industry to test operate a hybrid store open 24 hours a day[Photo by Paris Baguette]
The Paris Baguette 'hybrid store' operates with staff present during the day, functioning like a regular store, and switches to an unmanned system during late-night and early-morning hours. Customers can use the store 24 hours a day, and franchisees have a new model that allows them to generate sales without time restrictions.
Customers can enter the store during unmanned hours by simply verifying their credit card, and can conveniently make self-payments at the kiosk by scanning the barcode attached to each product. The store provides voice guidance on how to use the system, and a '24h emblem' is displayed outside to indicate that the store is open 24 hours. In addition, the store can be monitored in real time during unmanned hours, allowing franchise owners to manage their stores with peace of mind.
Since October, Paris Baguette has been test-operating hybrid stores at its Cafe Seocho Station and Yeonsinnae branches in Seoul. The test results showed a steady increase in visitors during unmanned hours and high customer satisfaction. After midnight, there was active sales of meal replacement products such as bread and sandwiches, as well as cakes. The analysis suggests that these stores are mainly used by customers who need a late-night meal replacement, encounter sudden events, or have not prepared breakfast for the next morning.
Franchise owners who participated in the test operation expressed high satisfaction, noting that as long as essential requirements such as nighttime access and the self-payment system are in place, the store can be operated and additional sales can be generated. Paris Baguette plans to gradually expand the hybrid model, focusing on stores in busy downtown areas with high foot traffic even late at night.
A Paris Baguette representative stated, "Through the test operation, we confirmed that this is an efficient operating model that enhances both customer convenience and franchisee satisfaction," adding, "Starting next year, we will steadily expand hybrid stores nationwide to set a new standard in the bakery market."
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