While, in a city, the Pomme de Pain brand has experienced difficult years and is now looking for new brands, it has enjoyed continuous success in Reunion for ten years which makes its local franchisee, Malik Remtoula, an example.
Five restaurants, nearly 100 jobs created : we understand that many personalities responded, last May 28, at the invitation of the founder of the Reunion franchise Pomme de Pain, Malik Remtoula, to celebrate its 10 years of existence in Reunion. Among them : Ericka Bareigts, mayor of Saint-Denis, thus marking the popularity of this Dionysian city center brand. A success which deserves all the more attention in the current context, who sees the catering sector suffering like all sectors of activity. The story of Pomme de Pain in Reunion is special because it is that of an individual adventure. It all started in 2014, under the leadership of a young entrepreneur, Malik Remtoula, engineer by training, who decides that their path lies elsewhere and chooses a complete professional reconversion. “I had no experience in catering, but I noted the lack in Reunion of a simple, yet quality, catering offer, an affordable average basket, made from fresh local products. In 2014, it was an innovative speech. I first thought of creating my own concept, before being seduced by that of Pomme de Pain, which corresponded to what I wanted to do, with sandwiches made to order in front of the customer, and not sandwiches in the window. » Live cooking then, indeed, the success of Pomme de Pain in mainland France. The adventure of Pomme de Pain in Reunion begins.
Pomme de Pain in great shape at the hospital
The first restaurant opens on avenue de La Victoire. Combining quality products, strategic location and dynamism, the establishment quickly established itself as a mecca for fast food in the neighborhood. The second restaurant opens in 2016 in the heart of downtown Saint-Pierre and repeats : success is there. Then, in 2019, this is the historic establishment of Pomme de Pain in hospitals ! Historic because it is unique nationally for the brand. Pomme de Pain Réunion won a call for tenders that year and opened its third restaurant in the heart of the CHU Nord, in Saint-Denis. A restaurant reserved for patients and their visitors, including a children's play area and a library area. The year 2022 sees the opening of the fourth Pomme de Pain restaurant, at Casabona shopping center in Saint-Pierre, of which it is now one of the busiest businesses. Finally, following a hospital call for tenders, the fifth Pomme de Pain was created last year within the Est Réunion hospital group in Saint-Benoit. Here again, Malik Remtoula innovated with a restaurant fitted out in a modular structure, specially designed for hospitals. The Pomme de Pain restaurant at CHU Nord will soon be equipped with touchscreen terminals to facilitate customer flow. The other restaurants on the island will follow. Other opening projects are being studied in areas of the island not yet served.
A success recognized by the national brand
The Pomme de Pain brand is 44 years old and has more than a hundred restaurants. Outside France, it is not implanted, at present, only in Morocco and Reunion. Hence the importance of success in Reunion, characterized by an approach to frankness which, while respecting them, complements the codes of the national brand with a local touch on the menu and in the layout of the points of sale. Malik Remtoula is today considered one of the most exemplary franchisees of the group. It is the subject of real recognition from its franchisor. Nicolas Papageorgopoulos, Chairman and CEO of Pomme de Pain, spoke clearly on the subject on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the brand in Reunion. “I would like to congratulate Malik, our franchisee, as well as all the Pomme de Pain La Réunion teams, for their commitment, their professionalism and their passion for our beautiful brand. These are ten years of personal investment, of entrepreneurship and energy for incredible results and won over consumers. »
