By Aisling Balfe and Nicole Parker-Hodds Planet Retail Ltd | February 2012 Innovative Foodservice from Paris Opportunities for operators and suppliers in the French QSR and convenience market

2 Innovative Foodservice from Paris Aisling Balfe Retail Analyst France is increasingly being used as a stepping stone for international foodservice chains to enter Europe. However, the French market is still dominated by independents and locals as consumers continue to seek freshness and quality. This report, based on a recent Planet Retail visit to Paris, outlines five key trends shaping French consumer behaviour with best practice examples from leading national and global players. All images ©Planet Retail Ltd unless otherwise stated. Nicole Parker-Hodds Associate Analyst

3 1.Introduction 2.Convenience market 3.Self-service ordering 4.Fresh and healthy 5.Adapting to local tastes 6.Local sourcing 7.Summary Contents

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5  Despite conventionally shopping at independents and small local chains, the French population are becoming more open to international cuisines and concepts with both national and global players increasingly seeing success in the market.  For many US and UK chains, France is a next logical step into the Continental European foodservice market.  Paris is used as a test bed for new ideas and concepts by many operators and suppliers before rolling them out to the rest of the country.  However, France cannot be treated simply as an extension of other European markets because the local consumer is traditionally more demanding about product and outlet quality.  France is fast becoming one of the most dynamic mature foodservice markets in terms of outlet design, new product development and local sourcing and has cemented first mover status for many of the big chains in terms of innovation. France provides a wealth of opportunity for the quick service restaurant (QSR) and convenience sectors. Introduction1