Core Viewpoint - Fournier is one of the earliest bakeries in Japan to explore soft European bread products, founded in 1994, and has successfully navigated the competitive market for 30 years, offering around 70 types of bread that cater to local tastes [1][6]. Group 1: Founder and Background - The founder, Takamitsu Sakata, is a renowned baking master in Japan and has been involved in the baking industry since childhood, initially aspiring to be a French cuisine chef before focusing on bread [4]. - Sakata faced challenges early in his career, including dissatisfaction with his initial job at a hotel, which led him to self-study and innovate in the baking process, ultimately establishing his own bakery at the age of 30 [4][6]. Group 2: Business Development - The first store was a gamble, requiring a 200 million yen loan (approximately 11 million RMB at the time), which has since been fully repaid due to the bakery's success [6]. - Initial sales were disappointing, with daily revenue around 10,000 yen (approximately 1,100 RMB), prompting Sakata to reassess the product offerings to better align with customer preferences [7]. Group 3: Product Innovation - Sakata adjusted the product mix by increasing the proportion of soft and sweet breads to 90%, while retaining only 10% of hard breads, which significantly improved sales [7]. - He has continued to innovate hard bread by creating varieties that combine soft interiors with hard exteriors, aiming to introduce customers to the appeal of hard bread gradually [9][10]. Group 4: Production Techniques - Fournier employs cold fermentation techniques to enhance production efficiency, allowing for better quality control and reduced labor time [10][12]. - The bakery's product range includes approximately 70 types of bread, such as French hard bread, sweet bread, and various sandwiches, catering to diverse consumer preferences [13].