1851

After years in the fashion industry, Poonam Sharma had plenty of experience in cafés worldwide. In her free moments, Sharma would always sit in a café, sipping coffee and enjoying a croissant. So, when she and her husband began considering their next investment, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette">Paris Baguette*</a> felt like a natural fit.With a strong brand presence in New York, Sharma recognized the health of the brand, but talking about territories with the development team was what sealed the deal. Though the area closest to her home was already sold out, the team floated the idea of an existing corporate location at 52nd and Lexington — the first location Sharma ever visited. This felt like a sign, and she knew she had to go for it.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?Sharma:&nbsp;I have always been into fashion. I was a buyer for Chanel and Hermes. My husband and I decided to invest in 7-11 a few years back, and we started thinking about investing in something else, too. <a href="https://www.ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=longtime-investor-poonam-sharma-signs-to-take-over-new-york-paris-baguette-cafe-2722817" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette</a> was one of my favorites in New York City. The first time I went was in 2014, and I actually went to the same location that I’m now buying. We thought, “Why not?” It was doing really well in New York City and Long Island.&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?Sharma:&nbsp;I always thought that it was a good model and good investment. You just have to work, but that’s the case with anything you get. It’s a lot of hard work in the beginning, but once you know the business, it gets easier. Then you can manage it from a distance.In the beginning, it’s hard, especially if you’re a first-time franchisee. You have to learn everything. I think franchisees should focus on customer service; customer service is the only thing that can set your business apart.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Sharma:&nbsp;I picked Paris Baguette because I felt that it had a lot of potential. It’s kind of new, but not completely. Everyone loves it everywhere. The café that I’m taking over is really, really busy. I know I’ll have to invest some time there, but I have a strong feeling it’ll be good.&nbsp;Paris Baguette is different from other bakeries. All of the cakes, pastries and croissants are baked in-house, and I don’t think any other brand comes close to Paris Baguette.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Sharma:&nbsp;I have plans to become a multi-unit owner for sure. I know that I’m going to have to work hard in the beginning and invest more time, but hopefully I’ll be able to get more locations in the future.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Sharma:&nbsp;It was simple. I was in love with Paris Baguette, so I decided to invest in it. I had been looking for locations closer to my home, but that territory had already been filled out. I thought it would be okay to look in the heart of the city because I go into the city every day for work. When they told me that I had the opportunity to take over 52nd &amp; Lexington, I realized that was the first Paris Baguette I ever visited, and I knew I had to go for it.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Sharma:&nbsp;I think they should do it. There is a risk in every business, but becoming a franchisee is a little safer than opening your own business because you get that support. Especially if you’re a first-time business owner, franchising is something you should do.You should also learn about the business before you franchise. I’ve been going to Paris Baguette for almost a decade. I’m in love with the brand, so I decided to become a part of it.ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE:&nbsp;Paris Baguette is a bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units across the globe. The brand first franchised in the U.S. in 2015 and has since established nearly 150 locations in markets across the country, making it one of the premier franchise opportunities in its category. Paris Baguette’s primary mission, executed every day by its expert staff of bakers, cakers and baristas, is to share moments of joy with customers and help customers share moments of joy with their friends and family by providing world-class cakes, pastries, coffees, breads and other French-inspired bakery café fare. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://parisbaguette.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=longtime-investor-poonam-sharma-signs-to-take-over-new-york-paris-baguette-cafe-2722817" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">parisbaguette.com/franchising/.</a>

Longtime Investor Poonam Sharma Signs To Take Over New York Paris Baguette Café

1851 Franchise

Sharma first visited Paris Baguette at its 52nd and Lexington location in New York. Nearly a decade later, she purchased that same café.

longtime-investor-poonam-sharma-signs-to-take-over-new-york-paris-baguette-cafe

Comfort Keepers

How This Comfort Keepers® Franchisee Grew From One Acquisition to a Powerhouse

how-this-comfort-keepers-franchisee-grew-from-one-acquisition-to-a-powerhouse

Caring Transitions

What Makes Caring Transitions the Premier Franchise Choice for Senior Move Management

what-makes-caring-transitions-the-premier-franchise-choice-for-senior-move-management

Jollibee

Photo of Jollibee mascot and two smiling people in Jollibee pajamas

How Jollibee’s Culture Fuels a Global Brand People Love

franchise-culture-brand-success

petbar

petbar franchise logo tenth 10th anniversary

10 Years Strong: How petbar Turned One Dallas Boutique Into a Fast-Growing National Franchise

petbar-10-years-strong-franchise-growth

Griswold

Beaumont Enterprise: Local Woman Brings Griswold Home Care Franchise to Greater Beaumont, Texas

griswold-home-care-greater-beaumont-opening

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 Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

FAT Brands Nears Bankruptcy as Creditors Demand Repayment of $1.3 Billion Debt

fat-brands-nears-bankruptcy-as-creditors-demand-repayment-of-13-billion-debt

Callaway Sells Majority Stake in Topgolf to Private Equity for $770 Million

callaway-sells-majority-stake-in-topgolf-to-private-equity-for-770-million

Keith Sizemore headshot, Radiance Holdings

Radiance Holdings Names Keith Sizemore Chief Development Officer

keith-sizemore-radiance-holdings-cdo

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of manar landis and maha zirn kashoor from griswold franchise in oklahoma city

Sisters Channel Humanitarian Experience Into New Griswold Franchise Serving Oklahoma City Families

griswold-franchise-oklahoma-city-north-manar-landis-maha-zirn-kashoor

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

The 15 Top Pet Grooming Franchises To Consider for 2025

the-15-top-pet-grooming-franchises-to-consider

Longtime Investor Poonam Sharma Signs To Take Over New York Paris Baguette Café

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS