La Madeleine (restaurant chain)
| File:La Madeleine Logo.png | |
| File:La Madeleine restaurant, Duluth, Georgia.jpg La Madeleine located in Duluth, Georgia | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | February 1983 in Dallas, Texas |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, United States |
Key people | Patrick Esquerré (founder) |
| Products | Fast casual/bakery-café, offering sandwiches, salads, and soups |
| Parent | Groupe Le Duff |
| Website | www |
La Madeleine de Corps, Inc., known simply as La Madeleine, operates a chain of 86 restaurants (as of 2018) distributed throughout Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Virginia, and Arizona. The corporate headquarters are situated in Dallas, Texas.
History
The inception of La Madeleine Country French Café dates back to February 1983 when Patrick Esquerré, an entrepreneur originating from the Loire Valley, established the first bakery near Southern Methodist University in Dallas. With backing from retail icon Stanley Marcus and his mother Monique Esquerré, the bakery swiftly evolved into a café.
In 1998, Esquerré stepped down from his role and the business was acquired by a group of four investment firms. Subsequently in 2001, the French restaurant conglomerate Groupe Le Duff—led by Louis Le Duff—purchased La Madeleine alongside co-investors Lapointe Rosenstein and Cadigan Investment Partners for an undisclosed sum.
Facing increased wheat prices in 2008, the company temporarily halted its complimentary bread offering but reinstated it following customer dissatisfaction. La Madeleine provides cafeteria-style meals throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner service within venues designed to replicate the ambiance of rustic French countryside cafés featuring warm décor and fireplaces. A Dallas location transitioned to a contemporary ordering system in 2010.
That same year marked Esquerré’s return as an ambassador and advisor; he publicly expressed regret over his previous departure. Additionally in 2010, the Dallas Belt Line Road outlet was awarded "Best Soup in Dallas" by the Dallas Observer. Esquerré has consistently highlighted a family-centric approach to business rather than positioning La Madeleine as merely a chain.
Despite redevelopment efforts by Southern Methodist University nearby, the original establishment at 3072 Mockingbird Lane continues operations.
In recognition of its ethical business practices, La Madeleine received the Great Dallas Business Ethics Award from the North Texas Ethics Association in 2018.
Currently serving as President is Philippe Jean, formerly CEO of Del Arte within Groupe Le Duff. Jean brings more than three decades of professional expertise with leading companies such as Sodexo, Pierre et Vacances Center Parcs, Elior Areas, and Groupe Flo.
See also
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Restaurants in Dallas
- French-American culture in Texas
- French restaurants in the United States
- Restaurant franchises
- Restaurants established in 1983
- 1983 establishments in Texas
- Fast casual restaurants
- Restaurant chains in the United States
- American companies established in 1983
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment