Lina's restaurant in Malesherbes, France / Courtesy of SPC Group

By Kim Jae-heun

SPC Group has acquired French sandwich and salad restaurant franchise Lina's, the company said Tuesday.

Lina's was first introduced in Korea in 2002 after SPC signed a master franchise contract with Lina's Development to run its sandwich and salad stores in the country.

After 20 years of operating the franchise business here, the confectionery firm decided to acquire Lina's Development through its overseas corporation in France, "SPC Euro."

SPC plans to expand its domestic and international business for Lina's while utilizing the French franchise's techniques and experience in the food service field to create synergy with its bakery chain, Paris Baguette, in and outside of the country.

Specifically, SPC Group will set Lina's Development as an international hub to analyze and develop French dishes and adopt their recipes for Paris Baguette menu items.

After that, the confectionery firm will expand its Paris Baguette business not only in Europe, but also in North America and Southeast Asia.

"Lina's 30 years of technology in the food business and its experience in the French market will help SPC Group to expand its global business including to Europe. We will continue to make active investments to acquire more international brands while entering new markets to strengthen our global business," an Executive Vice President of Global Strategy & Development at SPC Group Jack Francis Moran said.

Meanwhile, Lina's was founded in Paris in 1989 by Frenchman Lina Mroue. He wanted to promote a healthy and balanced diet through his sandwich and salad items. Currently, Lina's is operating businesses in four countries: France, South Korea, Colombia and Lebanon.