Food Chain - Issue 209 - December 2025 | Page 87

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ la Madeleine
everything from a simple soupe and fresh baked baguette to a full café style meal. A refreshed brunch platform launched in March 2025 added wine-based cocktails, new takes on French toast, and modern brunch items, positioned as all-day brunch to reinforce la Madeleine’ s role as an all-day café, not just a weekend destination.
“ We are known for the quality and breadth of our menu,” John says.“ You can have a light salad and tarte, a warm bowl of soupe with a loaf of bread, an indulgent brunch with cocktails, or pastries and coffee on the go. All served within the warmth of our cafés. That flexibility is a big part of how we deliver value and keep la Madeleine in our guests’ consideration set all day.”
Such flexibility extends well beyond the four walls. Catering and off-premises channels, including delivery and takeout, now account for roughly half of la Madeleine’ s business, taking the bakery café experience to guests wherever they are.
Elevating the guest experience
Looking ahead, John and his team are doubling down on the brand’ s bakery and coffee credentials. A re-envisioned coffee platform is on the near-term docket, including an upgraded core blend, stronger espressobased beverages, and an expanded cold brew lineup, all designed to match the quality of the food. The team is also planning to bring back and elevate some of la Madeleine’ s most beloved core elements and rituals in the bakery and café, signaling that there is more up their sleeves.
To support rapid growth, la Madeleine is evolving its physical format. Existing cafés have traditionally averaged between 4500 and 5500 square feet. New locations are being designed around a 3000-square-foot target, with flexibility to go up or down depending on the real estate. The goal is to protect the guest experience while addressing construction costs and site realities.“ From a design standpoint, we are building smarter,” John
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