Olesya Krakhmalyova wasn’t planning to start a macaron empire. But then she tried the macaron—a delicate almond and meringue in the “orange blossom” flavour—at a Ladurée while on a trip to Monaco. That moment, somewhere between the soft crunch of the shell and the fragrant burst of filling, planted the seed for what would become her obsession: bringing the legendary French patisserie to Canada.

The experience compelled the Ukrainian-born entrepreneur, who moved to Vancouver to study business in the early 2000s, to open a franchise in Canada. Now, there are seven other pastel-hued retail locations across the country. Though the parent company was initially “careful and selective” in letting Krakhmalyova take over the franchise, she said—it’s now ramping up expansion plans, with four to five new locations in the works.

Founded in Paris in 1862 by French miller Louis-Ernest Ladurée, the bakery credited with inventing the rainbow-colored double-shell macaron has expanded to 17 more countries. Yet Ladurée’s expansion in Canada comes at a tricky time: the global luxury market has been relatively stagnant in 2024, with an expected dip of two per cent this year, according to a report from Bain & Company and Italian luxury goods manufacturers’ industry association Altagamma.

Krakhmalyova remains unshaken. Even while Canada’s overall consumer appetite is waning, as persistent inflation nibbles away at disposable income, Ladurée’s high-end customer base remains “resilient” to higher prices, Krakhmalyova said. If someone has the financial bandwidth to treat themselves, they’ll choose “the best croissant, or the best cake or the best macaron.”

Ladurée has nonetheless faced higher costs from subcontractors and in shipping, which get passed on to customers, Krakhmalyova said. 

Rapid expansion

Ladurée Canada opened its first location in 2016, and recently unveiled a new spot in Toronto’s high-end Yorkville neighbourhood. She aims to grow its Toronto footprint, capitalizing on the success of its pop-ups in Union Station and midtown. Montreal is “definitely on our radar,” and Vancouver is eager for another location, she added. 

Ladurée Canada has seen a surge in sales, with revenue rising 115 per cent from 2016 to 2023. The company is now set on doubling that figure in the next five years. Krakhmalyova declined to provide further financial details as Ladurée is privately held. 

The macaron purveyor prides itself on sticking to traditional recipes, and Krakhmalyova wants others to be able to experience the same “magic” she did when trying the confectionery delight for the first time. Orange blossom is still her favourite flavour.