---
title: "Paris Baguette names Mark Mele chief development officer"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/bf124edd-7ed4-4c68-b0be-68f271be58bb
source: "Global Franchise"
original_url: https://www.global-franchise.com/news/paris-baguette-names-mark-mele-chief-development-officer
author: "Kieran M"
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["People"]
published: 2020-12-07T09:40:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:02.134Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561758033-d89a9ad46330?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Paris Baguette names Mark Mele chief development officer

**TL;DR:** Paris Baguette has appointed Mark Mele as its chief development officer to assist with the brand's international growth. Mele brings over 30 years of experience in corporate franchise sales to the brand.

*By Kieran M, originally published in Global Franchise on 2020-12-07. [Read the original](https://www.global-franchise.com/news/paris-baguette-names-mark-mele-chief-development-officer).*

## Story

The development executive will assist with Paris Baguette’s ongoing international growth

The development executive will assist with Paris Baguette’s ongoing international growth.

Paris Baguette , a bakery franchise with over 4,000 locations worldwide, has announced the appointment of Mark Mele to its senior executive team as chief development officer.

As CDO, Mele brings more than 30 years of experience in corporate franchise sales to the brand, and he will oversee the brand’s development, design, real estate, and construction functions.

“Mark is an accomplished franchise growth leader whose experience working across diverse franchise systems will be invaluable as we expand the Paris Baguette brand throughout the U.S. and map our future growth,” said Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette America.

Immediately prior to joining Paris Baguette, Mele was CDO for Lightbridge Franchise Co.; helping the company grow to nearly 100 locations. Before this, he led franchising efforts for Fierce Brands’ Retro Fitness and Let’s YO brands.

## Entities

- Restaurants (sector)
- franchise growth (topic)
- Global Franchise (publication)
- international expansion (topic)
- executive appointment (topic)
- Kieran M (person)
- James Fell (person)
- Paris Baguette (company)
- Mark Mele (person)
- Darren Tipton (person)
- Retro Fitness (company)

---
Originally reported by Kieran M, Global Franchise (https://www.global-franchise.com/news/paris-baguette-names-mark-mele-chief-development-officer). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/bf124edd-7ed4-4c68-b0be-68f271be58bb).