Nail Salon Owners Franchise with Paris Baguette in the Buffalo Area

Ivan Shen and Jin Zhang have known each other and worked together for a long time, having been friends for nearly 20 years and owning a nail salon together for the last six. 

Despite the fact that the sales for their nail business continued increasing, the pair decided that they wanted to expand into a new business together, as they felt somewhat limited by the difficulty of finding nail technicians. When they heard that Paris Baguette*, the bakery café concept with 4,000 units worldwide including nearly 150 in the United States, was looking to open more franchised locations, they reached out to the brand the next week. 

“Paris Baguette is our favorite brand. Every time we go into New York, we look forward to visiting,” Shen said.

With no similar concepts in the Buffalo area, the two look forward to bringing the beloved cakes and bakery items to their community. 

1851 spoke with Shen and Zhang about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future. 

PROFILE QUESTIONS

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Shen: We have owned a nail shop together in the Buffalo area for almost 6 years now. Although the sales numbers are still going up, we feel that this business is limiting us because it can sometimes be quite difficult to find technicians. Jin and I have known each other for 20 years, and we work really well together; we are a good team. We decided we wanted to try something different together. 

Paris Baguette is our favorite brand. Everytime we go into New York, we look forward to visiting. We found out they were offering franchises on the news because there were openings in Toronto and Virginia, so a week later, we reached out. We can’t wait to bring it to the Buffalo area because we love it. 

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?

Shen: Franchising seemed like an easy option. I felt like it was really easy for us because the corporate team does so much for you. Being a part of a franchise lowers the risk for you. 

They have a department for everything, and they are always happy to connect us and answer our questions. We really trust the company. 

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

Shen: The bakery items and bread are so good; they are not too sweet. There are so many products to choose from, as well. 

The blue and white color scheme and the construction of the stores is simple and pretty, which we love.

Zhang: The wider Buffalo area doesn’t have a Paris Baguette. They actually don’t have anything similar to it either. We think for that reason, it will do really well here. 

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

Shen: We don’t know all of our plans for the future yet. If we follow the rules for the company given by the corporate team, we know it will be successful. That’s what we plan to do. We would love to open 2 or 3 locations in the future. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Shen: We come from another country, so we have worked really hard. We are just both really hard working people.

Zhang: I would say the same. We have worked really hard, and we have made a great team with our nail store.

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

Shen: We haven’t opened yet, but we will be happy to share our experience and more advice when we do open! I think you have to like the brand and be confident with the brand you choose. Make sure you look at its past success and choose a brand that has a good following and reputation with its guests. 

ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE: 

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 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 guests and help guests share moments of joy with their friends and family by providing world-class cakes, pastries, coffees, breads and other French-inspired bakery café fare. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.