Houston-based bakery-café chain Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has announced that it has secured its first location in Minnesota in Woodbury, part of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. In August 2022, Sweet Paris announced a multi-unit deal that would mark the brand’s entry into the state. With the first location site selected, three additional units are being planned.

A franchise group with more than 55 years of restaurant experience combined – Dan and Brenda Vansteenburg, Pete Thelen and Dustin Wetzel – is currently finalizing plans and permits, and anticipates starting construction by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The expected opening date is slated for summer 2023.

This first store in the Twin Cities area will join 12 additional Sweet Paris locations currently open and operating. The additional three units within this franchise agreement in Minnesota are part of the 14 units Sweet Paris currently has in various stages of development, bringing Sweet Paris’ total store count to 26 in the near future.

“Sweet Paris is a unique concept that embodies the culture and feel of Paris, and our team is excited to share this experience with our future guests from Woodbury and the Twin Cities,” says Dan Vansteenburg. “The leadership team has played an important role throughout the site selection process – we feel set up for success as we begin construction and look toward executing our opening plans.”

This will be Sweet Paris’ first expansion into the Midwest. The brand has a presence throughout Texas with locations in Austin, College Station, Houston, and San Antonio. Additional locations include Doral, Florida, and Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Sweet Paris views the Midwest as a prime market for growth which will play a crucial role in the overall franchise development strategy.

“Our wonderful partners in Minnesota are proven local business owners who believe in our mission and want to grow with us,” says Allison Chavez, co-founder of Sweet Paris. “As we set our sights on nationwide expansion and bringing on new franchise partners in 2023, the new Woodbury location will put us on the right track.”