In April, Dallas, Texas-based bakery-café chain La Madeleine announced plans to launch a new concept inside several Walmart locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The initial plan called for ten La Madeleine Express restaurants to will open inside of Walmart stores starting this summer, serving a scaled down menu of grab-and-go items such as soups, salads, pizzas and more.
The first round of openings have occurred over the past six weeks in Cleburne, Garland and Rowlett, Texas. Express locations vary in size in each Walmart, ranging from 980 to 2,209 square-feet, but all cafés offer the same convenient experience as well as an option to dine in.
“It’s been really exciting to see our partnership with Walmart come to life,” says La Madeleine chief executive officer Lionel Ladouceur. “Walmart offers a unique food service experience for its shoppers, and we’re proud to be a part of it by serving our fresh, French cuisine to customers looking to either sit and sip during a shopping break or purchase a signature menu item on their way out.”
In addition to the scaled down menu, each La Madeleine Express features a retail area with bestselling items as well as bottled and canned products like soups, jams and sauces.