Paris Baguette Opens First-Ever Drive-Thru Location in Moore, Oklahoma, Marking a Major Brand Milestone

The landscape of fast-casual dining underwent a significant shift on November 3, 2026, as Paris Baguette—the global bakery-café powerhouse—officially unveiled its first-ever drive-thru location. Situated at 2120 Riverwalk Drive in Moore, Oklahoma, this strategic opening represents the 346th North American outpost for the brand and signals a departure from its traditional, sit-down café model. By integrating a drive-thru service window, Paris Baguette is aggressively targeting the "on-the-go" consumer segment, aiming to marry its premium, artisanal baking reputation with the rapid convenience demanded by modern commuters.

This milestone is not merely a single store opening; it is a calculated evolutionary step in the company’s North American expansion strategy. With more than 600 units currently in various stages of development, the transition toward a hybrid service model suggests that the brand is preparing to scale its footprint in suburban and high-traffic commuter corridors where traditional café layouts may be less viable.

A Strategic Partnership Rooted in Growth

The Moore, Oklahoma location is the result of a partnership between long-term entrepreneurs Mike Issa and Moe Touffaha. The duo, who possess extensive experience in the restaurant industry through their management of IHOP franchises, first encountered the Paris Baguette concept while visiting New York City. Struck by the unique fusion of European-inspired aesthetics and a wide array of fresh, high-quality baked goods, the pair recognized a gap in the markets they served.

Their journey began in 2022 when they launched their first Paris Baguette in Wichita, Kansas. Since that initial success, Issa and Touffaha have become pivotal figures in the brand’s regional growth. Their portfolio now spans multiple states, including Kansas and New Mexico, with further expansion planned for Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and a second location in New Mexico by 2027. Their transition from traditional full-service operations to the innovative drive-thru format in Moore reflects a broader trend among franchisees who are increasingly prioritizing operational agility to capture a wider demographic.

Chronology of Expansion

The rapid rise of Paris Baguette in North America is a study in calculated scaling. After launching its first U.S. franchise in 2015, the brand has maintained a steady cadence of growth, reaching the 340-store milestone earlier in 2026. The Moore opening serves as the 62nd location to debut within the 2026 calendar year alone, highlighting an accelerating pace of development.

Key milestones in the brand’s recent trajectory include:

• 2015: Paris Baguette begins its formal franchising efforts in the United States, bringing the global brand’s expertise to the North American market.
• 2022: Franchisees Mike Issa and Moe Touffaha open their inaugural location in Wichita, Kansas, marking the start of their multi-state development partnership.
• 2024–2025: Paris Baguette intensifies its efforts to standardize its bakery-café experience while exploring real-estate diversification.
• November 3, 2026: The Moore, Oklahoma location opens, debuting the first-ever drive-thru prototype.
• 2027 (Projected): Scheduled openings for additional units in Missouri and New Mexico, further solidifying the brand’s presence in the central U.S. corridor.

Analyzing the Drive-Thru Pivot

The decision to introduce a drive-thru is grounded in changing consumer behaviors. Post-2020, the restaurant industry observed a marked increase in the demand for contactless and expedited service. While traditional coffee chains have long utilized the drive-thru model, the application of this format to a premium, artisanal bakery presents unique operational challenges. Maintaining the integrity of delicate pastries and freshly brewed beverages while ensuring a quick service time requires a specialized layout and a highly trained staff.

From an industry analysis perspective, this move allows Paris Baguette to compete directly with major quick-service restaurant (QSR) coffee chains. By providing a "premium" alternative to standard fast-food coffee and snacks, the brand is positioning itself to capture the morning commute traffic that previously might have bypassed a traditional sit-down café. The design of the Moore location incorporates a sophisticated flow, ensuring that the in-café experience—which relies on the visual appeal of displayed pastries—is not sacrificed to accommodate the efficiency of the drive-thru window.

Official Perspectives on the Milestone

The leadership at Paris Baguette has emphasized that this development is about accessibility. Darren Tipton, CEO of Paris Baguette, noted that the evolution of the brand is directly tied to meeting guests where they are.

"The drive-thru gives us an opportunity to bring the same freshly baked products, warm hospitality, and everyday joy our guests expect from Paris Baguette to even more people," Tipton stated during the launch. "We’re proud to reach this milestone alongside Mike and Moe and excited to see how this new format helps us continue growing in communities across North America."

Franchisee Moe Touffaha echoed these sentiments, highlighting the community aspect of the project. "This opening is especially exciting because we’re introducing a new drive-thru format for the brand, giving guests another way to enjoy the products they love," said Touffaha. "We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time, and we are excited to be a part of the Moore community."

Market Impact and Future Implications

The success of the Moore, Oklahoma location will likely serve as a benchmark for future site selection. If the drive-thru model demonstrates a higher return on investment compared to traditional café footprints, it is highly probable that Paris Baguette will prioritize this format for new franchise agreements in suburban environments.

Furthermore, this pivot has implications for the labor force. Managing a drive-thru requires a different operational workflow than a traditional café, likely necessitating new training modules for baristas and bakers to ensure consistency in quality. As the brand continues to expand, the ability to replicate this model across different geographic regions will be a critical factor in its long-term viability as a competitor in the fast-casual space.

About the Brand and Its Global Reach

Paris Baguette operates with a global footprint of over 4,000 units, a testament to its deep roots in the bakery-café sector. The brand distinguishes itself through its staff of professional bakers, "cakers," and baristas who emphasize the production of fresh items daily. Unlike many competitors that rely on pre-packaged or frozen-thawed products, the Paris Baguette value proposition is built on the artisanal experience.

For prospective franchisees, the brand remains a significant player in the market. With the introduction of the drive-thru model, the barrier to entry for certain locations may shift, as the model allows for a smaller physical footprint while maximizing revenue through increased transaction volume. Interested parties are encouraged to explore the company’s franchising portal at OwnaParisBaguette.com, which provides comprehensive details on the costs and requirements for potential investors.

Conclusion

The opening of the Moore, Oklahoma location is a definitive marker of growth for Paris Baguette. By successfully bridging the gap between an elevated, premium café experience and the fast-paced nature of modern American life, the brand has opened a new chapter in its expansion story. As the company continues to refine its operational model and expand its footprint through dedicated partners like Issa and Touffaha, it remains poised to challenge established players in the coffee and bakery industry, proving that innovation and tradition can indeed coexist at the drive-thru window.