The UK arm of continental coffee shop and bakery Le Pain Quitidien has been sold back to its franchisor and brand owner PQ Licensing S.A for an undisclosed sum. Coffer Corporate Leisure advised holding company Village du Pain Ltd on the sale.

Village du Pain Ltd bought the Le Pain Quotidien franchise in 2004 and opened the first store on Marylebone High Street in January 2005. It has since opened a further 10 stores across the capital in locations such as Wimbledon Village and Hampstead Heath.

Winner of the emerging concept category at the Retailers’ Retailer award last year, the chain is now achieving sales in the region of £14m.

The current management will continue to run the business. Philippe Le Roux, the VDP Managing Director, said the purchase by PQL SA will allow the company to expand rapidly in 2009.