“This marks a new chapter in the future of Papa Chocolat,” Bernard Callebaut said. “The Luxury Restaurant Group has taken a non-controlling equity position in Papa Chocolat that will allow us to work with their team to expand our brand in Canada and the U.S. It also allows us to move forward with the construction of a new 5,500-sq.-ft. chocolate factory in downtown Calgary that we estimate will be operational later this summer. We will continue to open Papa Chocolat corporate stores in various markets, including Calgary.”
The partnership will have a big impact on Lux business, too. “As part of our agreement with Papa Chocolat, we have acquired the master franchising rights for North America (excluding Quebec),” explained Adam Drybrough, partner, Lux Group. “Papa Chocolat is ideally suited to our Lux Restaurant Group and in particular our Chiasso Cafés, which will begin selling Papa Chocolat creations immediately. We also plan on integrating Bernard’s ideas for chocolate-themed desserts into our Flatiron Kitchen and Bar restaurants.”
Papa Chocolat was founded in December, months after the master chocolatier’s former 27-year-old namesake company went into receivership.
