Sophie LEBREUILLY Bakeries is embarking on an ambitious new phase of development, driven by a recomposition of its capital coupled with a strengthening of equity, steered by FrenchFood Capital and Cerea Partners. Sofiprotéol, Épopée Gestion, IRD, NextStage and Finorpa are participating in this investment to support the network’s rapid expansion.
This growth will be supported by the financing and expertise of all the investors, including FrenchFood Capital, the historic shareholder since 2020, and Cerea Partners, who together become the majority reference shareholders. The investors will support the management team in executing an ambitious development plan, while ensuring that the family values embodied by founders Sophie and Olivier Lebreuilly, who are fully committed to the company’s capital and management, are strengthened.
Since its creation by Sophie and Olivier Lebreuilly in 2014 in Étaples-sur-Mer, the Sophie LEBREUILLY group has become a major player in the new generation of bakery-pastry shops. The brand made its mark in the Hauts-de-France region before expanding nationwide, with a distinctive offering: cosy living spaces combining restaurants, tea rooms and quality products, including home-made pastries produced in two dedicated workshops.
In four years, thanks to the support of FrenchFood Capital, the number of shops has increased 5-fold (from 16 to 80), as has its turnover (from €13.6m to €70m). By the end of 2025, the company should have more than 100 bakeries.
The company is very committed to ESG issues and will make it a priority to accelerate the impact of its business plan, which was set up in 2020 with the support of FrenchFood Capital. All the partners share the conviction that this measured and proactive commitment to the food transition will create value for the Group.
2024 results for the main indicators the Impact Business Plan
- 5,324 t French wheat purchased in 2024 (+253% vs. 2020)
- 1,012 jobs created in rural areas by the end of 2024
- 14 projects funded by the Sophie LEBREUILLY Foundation to develop social links in local areas
- 170 apprentices trained by 2024 and 60 qualified bakers to develop traditional skills
Olivier Lebreuilly, Chairman of Boulangeries Sophie Lebreuilly, comments: “I am delighted to be writing this new page in the history of the development of Boulangeries Sophie Lebreuilly with shareholders who are invested in the long term alongside me. This gives us the resources we need to achieve our ambitious goals, while keeping the company firmly rooted in the family.”
Lucas Vuillemin, Partner at FrenchFood Capital added: “We are delighted to continue to support Sophie LEBREUILLY and her management in this new phase of her development. This transaction, which also marks the entry of new shareholders including Cerea Partners and Sofiproteol, provides the group with the appropriate financial structure to achieve its ambitions in terms of growth and impact.”
Antoine Peyronnet, Partner and Managing Director at Cerea Partners, comments: “We are delighted to be joining FrenchFood Capital in the capital of Sophie LEBREUILLY, a company of excellence, led by a top-quality management team, with a structured and ambitious development plan that will strengthen the company as a benchmark player in the bakery market.”