Success stories that inspire!

Press release - january 2025
In the runup to Franchise Expo Paris 2025 from 15 to 17 March, the exhibition has chosen to share a selection of franchisees with captivating stories that will inspire budding entrepreneurs to take the leap. Here we look at the accomplishments of multi-unit and multi-brand franchisees at PizzaCosy, Piou!Piou!, Heytens, Dreams Donuts, SoCoo’c, La Vie Claire, La Cabane d’Achille and Camille – all exhibitors whom you can meet at the show.

Olivier Arfos, a multi-brand franchisee with PizzaCosy et Piou!Piou!

Having been won over by the concept and values of PizzaCosy, a fast food chain that promotes quality and good products, and a winner of both Best Chain and Best Franchise 2025, Olivier opened his first pizzeria in 2019 in Lyon. On the back of the success of this first outlet which made more than a million euros in turnover in its first year, Olivier opened another pizzeria in 2022, also in Lyon. With a view to casting his net wider, he continued his discussions with his PizzaCosy contacts and discovered Le Grand Feu, a group founded by one of the chain’s cofounders, whose mission is to support brands in franchise development. Olivier was excited to discover Piou!Piou!, a fried chicken concept represented by Le Grand Feu, and decided to go a step further and open his third restaurant, which would become the first Piou!Piou! franchise. This new concept, together with Le Grand Feu, will be exhibiting at Franchise Expo Paris 2025.

Johanna Dieterlé, a multi-unit Heytens franchisee

Aged 39 and with 20 years of retail experience under her belt, Johanna Dieterlé chose franchising to start her business due to its reassuring and structural framework. With a passion for interior design, she turned to Heytens, a brand with a solid history and a turnkey concept: shops with controlled costs, small teams and an inventory-free model, which simplifies management. In December 2021, Johanna opened her first shop in Annemasse. In under three years, she acquired the goodwill and took over the management lease of the Epagny shop and is currently preparing to open a third point of sale in the Pays de Gex area, scheduled for early 2025. This exemplary journey, based on the application of Heytens know-how and efficient management skills, has enabled her to develop a profitable and viable business.

Fahd Hniki, multi-unit Dreams Donuts franchisee:

Fahd Hniki made a memorable encounter at Franchise Expo Paris 2023: this energetic and ambitious young man was immediately won over by the Dreams Donuts proposition, and the feeling was mutual. Since then, he has continued to display proof of his determination and entrepreneurial talent. At the tender age of 27, and in under a year, he has opened three points of sale generating cumulative sales of nearly a million euros: Westfield Les 4 Temps in Puteaux, Westfield Vélizy 2 in Vélizy-Villacoublay, and Shopping Promenade in Claye-Souilly. He is already planning a fourth new outlet in the La Toison D’Or shopping centre in Dijon, confirming his determination to extend his network nationwide. He has managed to build a successful and dynamic network, while benefiting from structured support and acknowledged expertise.

Rosane and Thierry, multi-unit SoCoo’c franchisees

The love affair between this couple and SoCoo’c started up at Franchise Expo Paris in 2012. Twelve years later, Rosane et Thierry, who changed careers to begin this franchise activity, are opening their fourth store in Vendée (in Les Herbiers) following openings in La Roche-sur-Yon, Challans and Les Sables d’Olonne.

“The SoCoo’c adventure was a big about-turn for us! Thierry and I had spent eight years in the open-air hospitality business before we decided to set up in business together and change sectors. The franchising model gave us a chance to get started with the assistance and support of a brand. We invested everything we had in the concept and, now we have a fourth shop, we can safely say that it’s paid off!

Baptiste Blondet, multi-unit La Vie Claire franchisee

Following career experience as area sales manager then in property development at Lidl, Baptiste Blondet decided to start up in business, driven by a keen desire for personal commitment and ethics. In 2020, he joined the La Vie Claire network and opened his first shop in Le Havre. Buoyed by the success of this first point of sale, Baptiste decided to go further, buying up an independent shop and opening a second store in Montivilliers in 2021. Today, both shops report excellent results. Grateful towards a network that he considers structurally sound and considerate, Baptiste particularly appreciates the support he gets from his franchiser, the powerful sales promotion campaigns and the quality of its private label products. His story is an excellent illustration of an entrepreneur who combines economic performance and ethical values.

Pauline and Fabien Chateau, multi-unit La Cabane d’Achille et Camille franchisees

Following an astute career change in 2019, Pauline and Fabien Chateau have since opened three micro-creches in the Côte d’Or department under the innovative franchise La Cabane d’Achille & Camille. This unique concept, offering extended opening hours (5.30 am – 10.30 pm) and ‘snoezelen’ rooms, is built on strong human values, shared with the founders of the franchise. Thanks to their commitment, discipline and an enthusiastic team, they have succeeded in creating welcoming day care centres where children, families and professionals can thrive. It was therefore a foregone conclusion that, following their Marsannay-la-Côte centre, they would subsequently open a second Cabane in Chenôve in 2022, then a third one in Longvic in Sepptember 2023.

Franchise Expo Paris offers the opportunity to attend more than 150 talks and pitches. 


To get started and embark  upon their own success story, visitors can attend one or more of the talks scheduled:
  • I’m under 30: can I become my own boss and succeed? – Saturday 15 March from 12.00 to 12.25 pm - Workshop 2
  • Founding or buying a business: what profile for what entrepreneurial project? – Saturday 15 March from 2.00 to 2.45 pm - Agora
  • These women started their own businesses. Listen to their tips on taking the leap! – Saturday 15 March from 3.00 to 3.45 pm - Agora
  • They used to be employees, they became franchisees, and successfully! Perhaps it’s your turn! – Saturday 15 March from 3.45 to 4.30 pm - Workshop 1
  • Meet & Speak. Come and meet franchisees who took the leap! – Sunday 16 March from 2.30 to 5.30 pm or Monday 17 March from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, Meet & Speak Area

Talks on multi-unit franchising


  • The best time to move up a gear and become a multi-unit franchisee - Monday 17 March, 10.30 – 11.30 am, Workshop 1
  • They successfully operate several points of sale – what’s their secret? - Monday 17 March, 3.00 – 3.45 pm, Workshop 2

The Multi-Unit Forum: dedicated to multi-unit and multi-brand franchising in France.


Organised by Progressium and Franchise Expo Paris, this exclusive business event gives franchisers the opportunity to meet a selected audience of French-speaking multi-unit and multi-brand franchisees on the lookout for new opportunities. For this fourth edition, participants will be able to attend an inspirational round table featuring Christophe Gaschin, the CEO of Groupe Bertrand and a multi-unit franchisee, hosted by Jean-Louis Mochamps, founder of Arcanemag and himself a multi-brand fashion label franchisee, and Emmanuel Jury, CEO of Progressium.  
On Monday 17 March 2025 (by invitation only).

About the French Franchising Federation

A major player in the dynamism of the French economy, the French Franchising Federation is the professional federation of franchisors and their franchisees since 1971. It represents the franchising model, a model of entrepreneurship based on the transfer of know-how and the sharing of value. Its role is to promote, defend and perpetuate the franchise model, but also to federate its ecosystem and create the tools and the environment for the development and performance of franchise networks. In 1981, the French Franchise Federation created the Franchise Expo Paris exhibition, which has since become a major annual international franchising event.
In France, franchising accounts for 1,972 networks, 84,497 franchised outlets, for a turnover of more than 76.6 billion euros. The activity generates 828,178 jobs (direct and indirect). In 2009, the FFF created the Acadélmie de la Franchise, the first training organisation for franchising professions, whose services are aimed at future franchisees, but also to future and current franchisors.
Find out more at: www.franchise-fff.com

About Infopro Digital

Infopro Digital is a B2B group specializing in information and technology. Ranked as the 8th largest technology group in France, the group is present in 18 countries and employs nearly 4,000 people. Its innovative solutions are aimed at professional communities in five key economic sectors: Construction & Public Sector, Automotive, Risk & Insurance, Industry, and Retail. Thanks to the group’s sector-specific expertise, Infopro Digital covers all the needs of professionals. Its solutions enable decision-makers to make informed decisions and companies to sustainably develop their business and performance.
Find out more at: www.infopro-digital.com


About Tous entrepreneurs

This media dedicated to entrepreneurship and franchising has been designed to allow entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners to find all the information they need to build and develop their project all year round. They can find testimonials, practical advice, expert opinions and all useful information on business creation.
This media platform, which is affiliated to the Franchise Expo Paris exhibition, also focuses on franchising and its advantages.
Find out more at: www.tousentrepreneurs.com

FRANCHISE EXPO PARIS PRESS OFFICE

Media enquiries
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