Paris Baguette plans new cafés in Canada

Paris Baguette is continuing its expansion in Canada, with four new franchise agreements and three leases signed in the third quarter of 2026. In its update published on 23 October, the bakery-café chain also sets out a timetable for projects in Ontario and Nova Scotia, including two sites under construction that are expected to welcome their first customers before the end of the year.

Three leases for planned openings in 2027

The three newly announced leases are for sites in Ontario. Paris Baguette plans to open cafés around mid-2027 at 9100 Jane Street in Vaughan, 1355 Kingston Road in Ajax and 8310 Woodbine Avenue in Markham.

These addresses provide concrete evidence of the chain’s property expansion. They are premises for which leases have been signed, rather than cafés that are already open. The timetable therefore remains provisional: signing a lease is a step towards preparing a site, distinct from bringing it into operation.

The brand also reports four new franchise agreements in Canada during the quarter. Its update lists these agreements separately from the three leases. These figures should therefore be read as two indicators of the network’s progress, rather than added together to calculate a number of new openings.

For those involved in Canadian franchising, this distinction matters. Recruiting partners, securing premises and welcoming the first customers are separate stages, even when they appear in the same growth update.

Oakville and Meadowvale West under construction

Two projects in Ontario are at a more advanced stage. In Oakville, a café is under construction, with an opening planned for November 2026. Work is also under way in Meadowvale West, where the opening is scheduled for December 2026.

These two sites therefore have the earliest target opening dates among the projects detailed by Paris Baguette. The chain distinguishes them from the other locations in its Canadian programme by explicitly stating that construction has begun.

The update does not, however, describe them as already trading. The months announced are target opening dates, a useful distinction for both prospective customers and entrepreneurs tracking the brand’s expansion.

Taken together, the announcements describe several stages of development: newly signed franchise agreements, completed leases and cafés under construction. Reading them this way makes it possible to track the network’s progress without confusing its development commitments with its actual trading presence.

Halifax, Niagara Falls and Yorkdale on the timetable

Beyond the two construction projects targeting late 2026, Paris Baguette has announced several other opening dates. The café in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is expected to open in February 2027, while the one in Niagara Falls, Ontario, is scheduled for March 2027.

The Yorkdale project, also in Ontario, has a longer lead time, with an opening planned for January 2028. The Canadian timetable therefore spans several years rather than a single wave of openings.

Halifax is the only location outside Ontario among the projects named in this update. It gives the announced programme a foothold in Nova Scotia, while the other sites detailed highlight Ontario’s role in the next stages of expansion.

A Canadian programme within a North American ambition

These projects form part of Paris Baguette’s goal of reaching 1,000 cafés in North America. In its update, the brand reports 337 cafés open and a further 557 in active development across the region. These figures cover North America and are not a count of the Canadian network.

The chain also reports that Sage Kriss, who oversees property, attended the International Franchise Expo in Toronto. This provided an opportunity to meet franchise professionals and potential partners as part of its Canadian expansion.

Key takeaway: for prospective franchisees, the announced timetable provides a guide to locations and timing. Before assessing an opportunity, it is worth distinguishing between signed agreements, secured premises, construction under way and sites that have actually opened.