French Baker sees gain from store upgrades.

Byline: Jessica Anne D. Hermosa

Filipino-owned food chain The French Baker, Inc. expects to record faster sales growth this year over 2009 after it upgraded most of its pastry shops into "brasseries," Chief Executive Officer Johlu G. Koa said in a chance interview.

Sales for 2010 could grow by 8% versus the 5.5% increase recorded in 2009 with "renovation of stores almost done," Mr. Koa said earlier this month.

"We expected people to be in the malls more often given the business climate," the firm's top executive said.

French Baker's new business strategy now focuses more on meals and providing a space for customers "to do everything in one place," …