At the Office: The French Brasserie-Pub
Au Bureau is one of the most iconic chains in the French traditional restaurant landscape. Created in 1991 by the Bertrand Restauration group (which has since become the master-franchisor of Burger King France), it launched a hybrid concept between traditional brasserie and Anglo-Saxon pub that had no equivalent at the time.
1991: The Birth of the Concept
The first Au Bureau opened in 1991. The concept: a brasserie-pub where you can have a full meal (starter-main course-dessert), drink craft beer at the bar, or watch a sporting event on a large screen. The menu blends classic brasserie dishes (steak, burger, salads), beer specialties (carbonnade flamande, moules-frites), and sharing plates (charcuterie boards, fish & chips).
The positioning is clear: an alternative to fast-foods for a target audience that wants a warmer setting than a McDonald’s but less formal than a traditional brasserie.
1995-2024: Measured Expansion
- 1995: 15 restaurants
- 2005: 50 restaurants
- 2015: 80 restaurants
- 2024: ~90 restaurants
Expansion is deliberately measured. Bertrand prioritizes operational quality and location (city centers or regional shopping centers with outdoor terraces) rather than mass deployment.
Our Scope
Our SIREN database tags 29 franchised Au Bureau companies, operating 56 declared establishments, of which 33 are open.
Top 5 Departments
| Rank | Department | Companies Tagged |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seine-Maritime (76) | 2 |
| 1 | Gironde (33) | 2 |
| 1 | Drôme (26) | 2 |
| 4 | Aveyron (12) | 1 |
| 4 | La Réunion (974) | 1 |
The Au Bureau network is dispersed: no very strong urban concentrations, but a presence spread across many departments. This is consistent with a target audience of ‘group outings in medium-sized cities’ rather than ‘urban professionals taking a lunch break’.
Positioning Today
Au Bureau remains a distinctive player in its segment:
- Brasserie format differentiated from fast-food chains and pizzerias
- Friendly atmosphere oriented towards evening events rather than lunch
- Mixed menu brasserie + pub allowing for varied options (8 € snack to 25 € full menu)
- Sports presence (broadcasts, fan zones)
Direct competition comes from other brasserie chains (Buffalo Grill, Hippopotamus, Léon de Bruxelles) rather than fast-food.
Rejoignez la communauté Fooderise
Recevez plus de conseils comme celui-ci directement sur WhatsApp. Gratuit, sans spam.
Rejoindre la chaîneUne correction ou une suggestion ?
Vous êtes éditeur, restaurateur ou expert du secteur et vous repérez une information à corriger ou à compléter ? Aidez-nous à tenir cet article à jour.
Proposer une amélioration