First “Allô mon Coco” Opens in Mexico

Bassyonni

Published: February 22, 2026 1:32 PM ET

Allô mon Coco, a renowned breakfast restaurant chain, has officially opened its first location in Mexico. The restaurant, situated in Mérida on the Yucatán Peninsula, welcomed its first customers on February 5. The chain aims for international expansion in the coming years.

About the Opening

Éric Plouffe, the Brand Chef of Allô mon Coco, expressed pride in this venture. He noted that a dynamic group in Mexico is eager to promote the brand. The journey to this opening began several years ago when José Irabien and his wife, who are originally from Mexico, fell in love with the breakfast offerings while visiting Quebec.

Local Entrepreneur’s Vision

Upon returning to Mexico, Irabien, a businessman, reached out to Allô mon Coco’s management. He proposed introducing Quebec’s waffles, eggs Benedict, and gourmet omelets to Mexican diners. After 18 months of collaboration, the new restaurant’s team celebrated the grand opening.

Menu Adaptations and Features

While the restaurant maintains its Quebec roots, the menu has been tailored to include distinctive Mexican ingredients and recipes. Plouffe mentioned that this adaptability involved numerous taste tests and revisions.

Integration of Quebec breakfast culture with Mexican flavors.
Inclusion of a play area for children, as requested by the new franchisees.

Future Expansion Plans

Allô mon Coco has enjoyed popularity in Quebec, even as many chains struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the announcement of the Mexican project last May, the company indicated plans for potentially opening nine restaurants in Mexico over the next decade. However, Plouffe remains cautious, focusing on the success of the initial location as a starting point.

Company Milestones

Allô mon Coco, founded in 2001 by Tom Bountis, was acquired by Groupe MTY in 2019. This year marks its 25th anniversary. The chain currently operates 49 restaurants across Quebec and Ontario, in addition to the new location in Mexico. An additional 50th restaurant is set to open this summer in the Laurentians, though the exact location has yet to be announced.

Challenges and Successes

Despite the challenges faced in the restaurant industry, Plouffe takes pride in the fact that Allô mon Coco has not closed any locations in recent years. The brand is optimistic about continuing discussions for further expansions in Quebec and Ontario.