Allô mon Coco Makes its Debut in Mexico, Eyeing International Growth
The first Allô mon Coco restaurant has officially opened its doors in Mexico, signaling the chain’s ambitious plans for international expansion in the coming years. The new breakfast eatery, located in Mérida, Yucatán Peninsula, welcomed its first customers on February 5th.
“We are incredibly proud of this exciting project and have a dedicated team in Mexico brimming with energy and ambition,” says Éric Plouffe, Brand Manager for Allô mon Coco.
From Quebec with Love: A Mexican Entrepreneur’s Vision
The journey to this opening began several years ago when José Irabien and his wife, Mexican visitors to Quebec, fell in love with the brand. Upon returning to Mexico, Mr. Irabien, a seasoned businessman, reached out to Allô mon Coco’s leadership with a vision to introduce the delectable waffles, Eggs Benedict, and gourmet omelets of Quebec to his fellow countrymen. Just 18 months later, the team at Groupe INDEF, led by Mr. Irabien as President and CEO, cut the ribbon.
A Mexican Twist on a Quebec Classic
While retaining the core Quebec roots of the company, the menu has been thoughtfully adapted to incorporate local Mexican ingredients and recipes. “We collaborated closely with the team to adapt recipes, conducting numerous trials and adjustments to seamlessly integrate Quebec’s breakfast culture with their own,” explains Mr. Plouffe. Notably, the Mexican franchisees were keen on including a dedicated play area to entertain children.
Resilience and Expansion Amidst Challenges
Allô mon Coco enjoyed significant popularity in Quebec, but faced challenges like many chains during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Mexican project was announced last May, company leaders discussed the possibility of opening nine restaurants over a decade. While the ambition for further expansion remains, Mr. Plouffe is cautiously optimistic, preferring not to commit to specific numbers at this stage.
“Right now, our priority was to launch this first restaurant… It’s a crucial first foothold in Mexico.” This breakthrough in Yucatán could also pave the way for other banners within Groupe MTY, which manages a portfolio of over 90 well-known brands in Quebec and Canada. You can learn more about Groupe MTY here.
A Milestone 50th Restaurant on the Horizon
Founded in 2001 by Tom Bountis, Allô mon Coco was acquired by Groupe MTY in 2019. The chain, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, currently operates 49 restaurants in Quebec, Ontario, and now, Mexico. The 50th Allô mon Coco restaurant is slated to open this summer in the Laurentian Mountains, with the exact location yet to be revealed. Discussions are also underway for potential new openings in Quebec and Ontario in the near future.
Furthermore, the chain has impressively avoided any closures in recent years, a significant achievement in the challenging restaurant industry, concludes Éric Plouffe.
