The franchisor prioritizes convenience and visibility when selecting real estate to support
franchisees in building the most successful bakery café possible.
Paris Baguette, the bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units globally, has quickly
become an American consumer favorite due to its made-fresh cakes, breads and pastries. As
the brand continues to grow, taking on lofty expansion goals in 2023, the corporate team is
working diligently to support franchisees in optimal site selection.
Regardless of where a franchisee intends to develop their location, the corporate team has
resources on hand to evaluate and select prospective locations. Through partnerships with both local and national real estate brokerages, Paris Baguette compiles a short list of suitable sites that it then presents to the franchisee.
After evaluating the list, the owner makes a final selection and begins working on a letter of
intent and lease negotiations.
The franchisor embraces second-generation locations, which often carry a notably lower
build-out cost. Approximately 80% of bakery cafés are in second-generation spaces, but it is not unheard of for Paris Baguette franchisees to pursue new construction in freestanding or
shopping center buildings.
Ultimately, Paris Baguette emphasizes flexibility. With its 3.0 prototype in mind, which
incorporates modernized, rich-feeling furniture, ceilings, lighting, flooring and more, the
franchisor conducts a “test fit” to optimize plans prior to construction.
After drawings are put together and construction begins, staff begins training, and the bakery
cafés are generally ready to open in about four months — or nine months from the time of the franchise agreement execution. Throughout the process, and after the grand opening,
franchisees have the consistent support of the Paris Baguette corporate team to ensure they
have the practical support necessary in addition to the franchise business model.