The First One in Miami: Former Banker Brings Paris Baguette to Wynwood Neighborhood

Moving from the high-stakes world of Venezuelan finance to the bustling hospitality sector of Miami was both a career change and a total reinvention for Cesar Paoli. Seeking a venture that combined his analytical background with a product he truly believed in, Paoli found his answer in an unexpected place: his morning routine. 

During trips to New York, he became a loyal customer of Paris Baguette* every morning, sparking an idea to bring the brand’s unique experience to South Florida. After signing for the territory in 2022 and navigating an insane real estate market, Paoli is now preparing to open the very first Paris Baguette in Miami.

Located in the heart of the artsy, high-growth Wynwood neighborhood, the new neighborhood bakery-café is a true family operation. With the support of his wife and sisters, and the enthusiastic encouragement of his six-year-old twins, this location is Paoli’s first step in a larger plan to establish the brand as a staple in the Miami community.

Paoli sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his transition from finance to hospitality, the benefits of the franchise model for career changers and his vision for growing the brand across the Miami market. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Cesar Paoli: I’ve always been in finance. I was in banking in Venezuela, where I grew up, but I moved to Miami in 2015 because of everything happening in the country. All Venezuelans here are kind of trying to reinvent ourselves. I came to the U.S. looking for opportunities and new ideas, and I’ve always been interested in the hospitality business. Now, a lot of my family is here, too. My wife and sisters are all waiting for me to open and eager to help out. I even have six-year-old twins who are super excited; they say they want to work and bake cakes. It’s a family business.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Paoli: My career was basically in finance and the banking industry. When I had to leave my career behind, I knew I wanted to establish a business here, but I was coming from a completely different industry. I think the franchise model is perfect for someone like me. You go by the hand of a big corporation that helps you avoid a lot of mistakes and do well.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Paoli: I’ve read a lot about franchising, so I haven't had a lot of surprises yet. I think the measurement of a franchisor comes once you start operating, but up to now, the support I needed to build the store has been exactly what I expected. They give you guidelines of what they think it’s going to be, and I hope we hit the targets we are setting.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Paoli: I was a customer first. I used to spend time in New York and I had a Paris Baguette next to where I was staying. I love the brand and I believe they have a great product. I like doing business with products that I believe in. When I contacted them in 2022, they said they were looking for someone in Miami, so I took the territory. This is actually the first one in Miami, so I think it’s going to be a great addition to the neighborhood.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Paoli: My plan is to take over the Miami market. It’s going to depend on how the business does, but if it goes well and territories are available, I’m willing to open a few more stores. That was my initial plan. I’ve even thought that if Venezuela really changes and becomes a democracy again, this would be a great brand to bring over there as well.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Paoli: We found the perfect location in Wynwood. It’s an upcoming neighborhood, very artsy, with a lot of young people moving in. It took a while to find a good location because rents in Miami were absolutely insane and unreasonable for a while, but we waited until we found this spot. We are in the final inspection stage now and praying everything goes through so we can open in late May.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Paoli: Talk to other franchisees. I talked to other owners in Florida and they tell you the truth: it’s tough at the beginning, but you get the hang of it and it gets better. Also, don’t rush. We had to wait a bit until the market went back to normal to find the right deal.

ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE: 

With a projected 1,000 bakery cafés in North America by 2030, Paris Baguette is on a mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community. Paris Baguette serves craveable baked and brewed treats and creates warm and welcoming experiences through a blend of gracious service, expert craftsmanship and community connections. From decisions made behind a desk to smiles offered behind a counter, the desire to spread joy and make the world a happier place drives everything we do. Being a neighborhood bakery café means caring about those around us and finding ways to make a real impact. We do so through our "Love Baked In" programs that bring to life our commitment to serving local communities through various charitable programs and initiatives. Paris Baguette is a leader in the hospitality industry with its commitment to creating unique consumer experiences and a network of successful franchisee relationships. For information and to find the Paris Baguette location closest to you, please visit www.parisbaguette.com.