Belgian coffee chain Le Pain Quotidien has opened its maiden restaurant location in Uruguay, World Coffee Portal has reported.

The brand's new venue is located at the Punta Carretas shopping centre in Montevideo.

By opening the new restaurant outlet, the brand has further expanded its South American footprint, where it currently operates 51 venues that are located across Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, according to the website.

Going forward, the coffee chain is reportedly planning to make an investment of $3.5m in South America to open six more venues over the next five years.

The brand’s Uruguay location will be managed by the same team, which manages Le Pain Quotidien restaurants in Argentina.

Le Pain Quotidien made its Argentinean debut in 2012, and the company has since opened 40 locations in the country.

Argentina is said to be the second biggest market for the brand after the US, where it operates 50 outlets.

In addition to the US and Argentina, Le Pain Quotidien has established its presence across 17 countries, including native Belgium, France, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Japan.

In July this year, Le Pain Quotidien reportedly shut all but one of its locations in the UK and entered administration, The Caterer reported.

The move to enter administration is said to have impacted 250 employment opportunities. The coffee chain reportedly stopped its operations on 29 June 2023.