1851

When Gabriel Vesci stepped away from an owner-operator role with McDonald’s in 2020, he could see himself returning to the franchise industry at some point, but he knew he would need to find a special brand to do so.&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-mcdonalds-owner-operator-will-bring-four-paris-baguette-locations-to-the-los-angeles-area-2726205" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette*</a>, the global bakery café franchise with over 160 locations in the U.S., happened to be that perfect fit.Vesci’s daughter learned of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> on social media a few years ago and approached him about getting her birthday cake from them; this was enough to pique his interest. When he stopped to pick up the cakes, Vesci was astonished by the revolutionary model. Now, he has signed to bring four new bakery cafés to the Los Angeles area and is planning to open the first this November.1851 Franchise spoke with Vesci to learn more about his franchising journey with Paris Baguette and his goals for the future.1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Vesci:&nbsp;I was an owner-operator with McDonald’s franchises for about 10 years. Prior to that, I worked&nbsp;at Stanford Hospital and clinics in various positions for about 10 years. I was a finance manager and director of clinical operations and finance.I originally got into franchising because I realized that I wanted to be accountable for myself. I wanted to create my own path and not have to rely upon corporate America.&nbsp;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?Vesci:&nbsp;The franchise model was a phenomenal opportunity for me to alter the course of my life in a positive way.&nbsp;People should understand that knowing the operational piece inside and out is so critical for success.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Vesci:&nbsp;A few years ago, my oldest daughter mentioned that these amazing cakes were trending on TikTok, and she just had to have them for her birthday. That was my first indoctrination into Paris Baguette. I picked up the cakes, and I started to look around. It’s an interesting business model. I have an Italian background, so coffee and pastries were ingrained in our upbringing. The concept of good pastries and coffee really resonated with me.&nbsp;With my background — knowing how difficult McDonald’s was, operationally — Paris Baguette seemed to have manageable operations without sacrificing phenomenal products. I thought, “This is the future.”1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Vesci:&nbsp;The goal is always lifestyle. It’s about being able to create an opportunity in the future for me to be able to really immerse myself as much as possible with my family and my children and do the things I love to do.In the shorter term, being able to leverage a business such as this one to give back to my community is an important piece. On top of that, this is a great opportunity to help young people get a start in the workplace. More than just the pay, it’s about seeing young people develop skills and self-confidence to grow with the knowledge that there is someone who believes in them. I’m happy to support people in their growth and journeys and be right there, side-by-side. I will never shy away from that.And of course, continuing to grow the unit count is a priority. I want to get as large as I possibly can without sacrificing operational excellence. There will be a fine balance.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Vesci:&nbsp;I spent many summers growing up in southern Italy, going to fresh bakeries to get bread, pastries and really, really good Italian coffee every day. I grew up in that environment, I’m familiar with the quality, and I see that in Paris Baguette.I will also say, my father goes to Paris Baguette almost every day. He enjoys the experience and the atmosphere. He was so excited when I told him I was going to be doing this.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Vesci:&nbsp;Being hands-on and working shoulder-to-shoulder with all of the people in the restaurant is going to make the highest level operator. You really need to immerse yourself with your people, customers, and community.ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE:&nbsp;Paris Baguette is a bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units across the globe. The global brand first franchised in the U.S. in 2015 and has since established over 160 locations in markets across the country, making them one of the premier franchise opportunities in their category. Paris Baguette’s primary mission, executed every day by their expert staff of bakers, cakers and baristas, is to provide guests with a warm, welcoming bakery café experience that creates joy for all. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=former-mcdonalds-owner-operator-will-bring-four-paris-baguette-locations-to-the-los-angeles-area-2726205" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;https://ownaparisbaguette.com/</a>.

Paris Baguette Franchisee, Former McDonald’s Owner-Operator

1851 Franchise

After experiencing the French-inspired bakery café franchise as a guest, Gabriel Vesci knew the brand was the perfect fit for his next investment opportunity.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Former McDonald’s Owner-Operator Will Bring Four Paris Baguette Locations to the Los Angeles Area

former-mcdonalds-owner-operator-will-bring-four-paris-baguette-locations-to-the-los-angeles-area

Melting Pot

photo of Daina and Jonathan Reeve sharing a meal at a Melting Pot table

Love Stories and Family Traditions: How the Reeves Brought Melting Pot Back to Their Community

love-stories-and-family-traditions-how-the-reeves-brought-melting-pot-back-to-their-community

Right at Home

photo featuring Right at Home caregiver walking outdoors with a client

Right at Home Pilots 24/7 Virtual Nursing Support for Dementia Patients

right-at-home-pilots-247-virtual-nursing-support-for-dementia-patients

Sola Salons

photo of a hairstylist, wearing all black, blow drying a client's long, blonde hair

How Franchisees Create Legacies With the Solapreneur Model

how-franchisees-create-legacies-with-the-solapreneur-model

Preservan

photo of JW Ferguson, wearing khakis and a blue shirt, standing in front of his Preservan vehicle

Business Observer: Entrepreneur Aims To Restore Rotted Structures With New Franchise

business-observer-entrepreneur-aims-to-restore-rotted-structures-with-new-franchise

photo of an iphone showing a melting pot tiktok ad

How Melting Pot’s Digital Innovation Drives Franchisee Success

how-melting-pots-digital-innovation-drives-franchisee-success

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Proposed Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China Could Reshape U.S. Franchising Landscape

proposed-tariffs-on-mexico-canada-and-china-could-reshape-us-franchising-landscape

DeepSeek - Is DeepSeek Coming for Your Franchise? - Editorial - 1851 Franchise

Editorial: Is DeepSeek Coming for Your Franchise? 

is-deepseek-coming-for-your-franchise

1851 Agg - Empower Brands 6 Franchises Named to FBR's 2025 Top Franchises List - 1851 Franchise

Empower Brands Celebrates Six Franchises Named to Franchise Business Review’s 2025 Top Franchises List

empower-brands-celebrates-six-franchises-named-to-franchise-business-reviews-2025-top-franchises-list

DOJ FTC Antitrust Guidelines - Franchise News - 1851 Franchise

DOJ and FTC Issue New Antitrust Guidelines with Implications for Franchising

doj-and-ftc-issue-new-antitrust-guidelines-with-implications-for-franchising

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Navy Supply Officer Purchases Right at Home Franchise in Virginia Beach 

navy-supply-officer-purchases-right-at-home-franchise-in-virginia-beach

Newlyweds Open Paris Baguette Franchise to Serve Up Fresh Baked Goods in Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania

Newlyweds Open Paris Baguette Franchise to Serve Up Fresh Baked Goods and Community Spirit in Upper Dublin, Pennsylvania

newlyweds-open-paris-baguette-franchise-to-serve-up-fresh-baked-goods-and-community-spirit-in-upper-dublin-pennsylvania

Lucas Hamm Brings Compassionate Care to Eagan, Minnesota with Right at Home Franchise

lucas-hamm-brings-compassionate-care-to-eagan-minnesota-with-right-at-home-franchise

Right at Home Comes to Long Beach, Driven by Franchisee’s Personal Experience in Caregiving

right-at-home-comes-to-long-beach-driven-by-franchisees-personal-experience-in-caregiving

Former McDonald’s Owner-Operator Will Bring Four Paris Baguette Locations to the Los Angeles Area

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS