Paris Croissant Acquires French Parent Company Linas After 20 Years

Paris Croissant has expanded its Linas brand to 17 locations across South Korea, a growth spurt fueled by the 2022 reverse acquisition of the brand’s French headquarters, according to a NewsPost report published August 10, 2026.

From Licensee to Global Owner

The expansion marks the culmination of a long-term strategic shift. For approximately 20 years, Paris Croissant operated under a master franchise agreement to bring Linas into the South Korean market. That relationship changed in 2022 when the company moved to acquire the French headquarters of the brand.

Led by Huh Young-in, this “reverse acquisition” strategy transitioned the company from a regional licensee to the owner of the global brand entity. The shift in ownership removed the bureaucratic layers of a foreign franchise agreement, allowing Paris Croissant to accelerate the rollout of stores domestically.

Direct Control of Intellectual Property

With 17 stores now active in the South Korean market, Paris Croissant no longer relies on a foreign entity for operational standards. Ownership of the French parent company grants the firm direct control over the brand’s intellectual property.

The Pursuit of Operational Autonomy

The move mirrors a broader trend of South Korean firms acquiring established European brands to secure operational autonomy and global legitimacy. By owning the headquarters, Paris Croissant can now modify the Linas business model to better suit local consumer preferences in Korea without sacrificing the brand’s French identity.