Taiwanese bakery chain '85°C' to add 50 U.S. stores in the next 3 years

Taiwanese bakery chain 85°C held a grand opening celebration Sunday for its 70,000-square-foot central kitchen in Brea. The chain said it plans to open 50 new locations in the next three years and the facility will be key to its expansion in the U.S.

The company's CEO, James Xie, said the new bakery can support 30 to 50 locations.

"This way we can deliver our very fresh products to the stores everyday," Xie said.

85°C, known for its freshly baked breads and sea salt coffee, opened its first U.S. store in Irvine five years ago. It has since opened three more in Southern California: West Covina, Chino Hills and Hacienda Heights.

Spokeswoman Stephanie Peng said the bakery chain will add new stores in Gardena and Newark, its first store in Northern California.

Peng said about 100 employees work at the Brea facility, where they prepare the dough needed for 85°C's breads and pastries. It is later sent to the chain's stores, where it is decorated and baked.