---
title: "Local Wholesale Veteran to Open First Paris Baguette in the Richmond Area in 3-Unit Deal"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/12e7cf4d-5d66-480c-bda6-2ac4440f8693
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260515_local_wholesale_veteran_to_open_first_paris_baguette_in_the_richmond_area_i.html
category: "Bakery & breakfast"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Bakery & breakfast"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2026-05-15T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:32:27.040Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Local Wholesale Veteran to Open First Paris Baguette in the Richmond Area in 3-Unit Deal

**TL;DR:** Paris Baguette is growing quickly in North America with over 300 bakery cafés open and more in development. Jeff Han, a longtime Richmond entrepreneur, is leading the development of the first Paris Baguette in the Richmond area in a 3-unit deal.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-05-15. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260515_local_wholesale_veteran_to_open_first_paris_baguette_in_the_richmond_area_i.html).*

## Story

RICHMOND, Va. — Paris Baguette is growing quickly in North America. With over 300 bakery cafés open in North America and more in development, they are building a strong presence. Paris Baguette continues along an impressive growth trajectory with their upcoming bakery café opening May 15, 2026 in Henrico County, Virginia, 23233, just outside Richmond.

Jeff Han, a longtime Richmond entrepreneur with nearly 18 years of experience in wholesale distribution, is leading the development. After years of success supplying gas stations and convenience stores, he and his wife, Hyunjung, decided to pursue their longtime dream of opening a bakery. Seeing an opportunity in the local market, Han partnered with a childhood friend to bring Paris Baguette to the Richmond area. Bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to a new industry, Han leveraged the brand’s established franchise model and is now preparing to open the first of three locations.

“I’m proud to open the first Paris Baguette in the Richmond area and create a place where the community can come together,” Han said. “We’re focused on delivering high-quality baked goods and a warm, welcoming experience for our friends and neighbors.”

“We’re on a mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community, and we’re excited to see Jeff bring this to life in his community,” said Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette. “In our cafes, we like to say, ‘Happy to see you. Happier to serve you.’ And we know Jeff will wholeheartedly embrace this approach in his neighborhood.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise model (topic)
- Paris Baguette (company)
- bakery cafe (topic)
- Darren Tipton (person)
- Richmond (location)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260515_local_wholesale_veteran_to_open_first_paris_baguette_in_the_richmond_area_i.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/12e7cf4d-5d66-480c-bda6-2ac4440f8693).