Viewers first met them on screen in Netflix’s hit series The Parisian Agency, following the French family as they sell exceptional properties. Behind the scenes, Kretz Real Estate has built a trajectory that goes far beyond being just a “luxury star agency.”
Just weeks after opening its flagship office in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, the company is taking the next step: launching its franchise model internationally, with two markets already confirmed: Belgium and Mauritius.
In an interview with L’Express Franchise, Alexandre Bruneau, CEO of Kretz Real Estate, outlines the company’s expansion strategy: building the network, opening physical agencies outside France, expanding internationally through franchise agreements, and bringing the brand to the U.S. to pursue the American dream.
The show delivers the visuals: sun-drenched villas, Haussmannian apartments with pristine moldings, and the Kretz family gathered for a signature deal. But the numbers speak just as loudly. In 2025, Kretz Real Estate posted an 80% revenue growth and more than $550 million in property sales. The company completes around 250 sales annually, with 40% of revenue now generated internationally, highlighting its global reach.
Belgium and Mauritius: Two Strategic First Markets
Two franchise agreements are already in place. “We’re accelerating, but in a controlled, deliberate way,” says Bruneau. “We want to grow quickly, but carefully.”
This new phase is built on three pillars:
- Opening physical agencies outside France
- Expanding internationally through franchising
- Strengthening the existing network in France and Spain
Belgium: First European Franchise
The first franchise will open in Brussels at Place Brugmann, led by Julie Carlier, an experienced professional previously affiliated with Carlton Properties.
The goals are clear: three offices within five years, 25 agents, and 250 cumulative transactions over that period, targeting properties from around $660,000. Belgium shows strong potential, especially in Flanders, a dynamic luxury real estate region, where sales have grown 37% since 2012, according to the group’s analysis.
Mauritius: A Premium International Destination
The second franchise will launch in Mauritius, a key international luxury market. Its launch is led by local investor Emmanuel Beguier and managed by Julia Hülshoff-Medar, a high-end real estate specialist.
The agency will open a villa in Pereybère, following the experiential concept of the Paris flagship. Foreign investment in Mauritian real estate reaches hundreds of millions of dollars annually, especially in active areas like Grand Baie, Tamarin, and Rivière Noire.
Redefining the Client Experience Through Unique Offices
Opening physical locations marks a strategic shift. The 2,475-square-foot Paris flagship, developed with Label Experience and Silvera, embodies this new phase.
Each franchise will follow the same experiential concept: not a traditional office, but a space that reflects the brand’s identity, including signature elements such as a swing, a gong, and the family’s personal touch.
“Our digital presence is our strongest showcase; we’re everywhere on smartphones,” says Bruneau. “But eventually, clients want to experience the brand in person.”
Additional locations are under consideration in French cities like Lyon and Marseille, as well as luxury tourist cities like Cannes. The goal is to open a few strategic offices in high-potential locations, not a broad territorial rollout. Today, the network counts around 130 agents in France, with plans to add approximately 50 more selectively.
“Companies like Barnes or Sotheby’s have eight to ten times more agents than us. We still have room to grow, but we prioritize quality over quantity,” Bruneau explains.
A Franchise Model Built on Partnership
The launch of a franchise goes beyond licensing a brand. Kretz Real Estate provides a complete support ecosystem, including guidance on how to create a business plan, commercial structuring, marketing and communications strategy, legal and operational support, and access to proprietary digital tools.
Franchisees also get to join the Kretz Academy, a training program for agents, with intensive support during the first months of operations.
Marketing is not just a department—it’s a culture. Every agent and franchisee has their own social media accounts, supported by an in-house production team that assists with content creation, including filming, editing, platform-specific formats, and scripting.
“Every franchise is designed as an authentic extension of our brand,” says Bruneau. With over 2 million followers and international exposure through the Netflix series, the brand’s reach is global.
“Social media works because it’s personal and authentic. Agents need to be recognized, credible, and visible. Creating successful content is a skill: we train our agents to develop strong personal brands, which become assets they carry throughout their careers,” he adds.
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Netflix, New York, and the North American Market
The Parisian Agency has reshaped opportunities globally.
“In the U.S., people know us thanks to Netflix,” says Bruneau. “This international exposure acts as a natural accelerator: many Americans have purchased properties in Paris after seeing the Kretz family on screen.”
“In Paris’s 7th arrondissement, where our flagship is located, 50% of transactions involve Americans, many introduced to us through the series. It’s a clear example of the American dream in action, with clients connecting with our brand and investing in Parisian luxury real estate.”
Currently, Kretz Real Estate counts four agents in New York and is actively monitoring the North American market, with clear potential for expansion in the U.S. and Canada. The brand is also active in Saint-Barthélemy, a strategic luxury destination.
European Offices vs. International Franchises
In France and Spain, operations are company-owned under an independent agent model. Agents bring their own listings, buyers, and networks, while the brand provides a steady flow of opportunities through its digital and media visibility.
Louis Kretz, (one of the brothers), has developed the Spanish market, training around 15 agents across Madrid, Barcelona, and the Balearic Islands.
Outside Spain, however, the model shifts: physical agencies are operated under franchise agreements, allowing local entrepreneurs to invest, build a team, and represent the brand in new markets.
“We are looking for entrepreneurs who can invest, build a team, open an office, and represent the brand locally,” says Bruneau. Embodiment of the brand is key.
Who Can Join the Kretz Network?
The company is seeking experienced entrepreneurs with a strong background in real estate.
- Independent agents (France & Spain): autonomy, ability to secure listings, strong interpersonal skills
- International franchisees: capacity to invest, build a team, and develop a market globally
“We are not just looking for agents. We are looking for entrepreneurs ready to carry the brand,” Bruneau emphasizes. The family business has now entered a new phase of global growth.
