How Two Dallas Couples Turned Coffee Runs Into a Five-Store Paris Baguette Deal

For many entrepreneurs, the best partnerships start close to home. For husband and wife Puneet Mittal and Sweta Goyal, and their longtime friends Mamta Singhal and Rajneesh Singhal, that home is thousands of miles away in the same region of India where both couples grew up. Years later, after settling in Dallas, the families met and found they shared more than just cultural ties. Each had a deep desire to build something lasting together.

That common ground led to conversations about business ownership, and before long, the four friends began looking for the right opportunity. They didn’t plan to become franchise owners, but frequent visits to Paris Baguette* cafés, and a growing appreciation for the brand’s warm, welcoming atmosphere, soon changed that.

Now, with five locations signed and their first Dallas store opening this January, the two families are preparing to bring Paris Baguette’s bakery-café experience to North Texas, hoping to create neighborhood gathering spots that reflect the same sense of connection that brought them together.

1851 Franchise spoke to the couples about their franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what they had to say:

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

Sweta Goyal: I come from a business background. Growing up, my father ran a business, and my brother still runs one in India. When we came here 20 years ago, my dad continued running his business, and I helped him. I’ve always had a craving to start something of my own.

My husband Puneet and I’ve been in Dallas for about nine or 10 years. I’ve seen it grow like crazy. There was a time when I swore I’d never come to Dallas, and here I am. We knew there were a lot of opportunities here. We started researching multiple concepts in the food and beverage industry. When we heard about the Paris Baguette franchise coming to the area, we decided to go for it. We had tried it before and loved it.

When we first tried it, we never thought about owning a store. It was just a hangout place. We loved the cakes — especially the chiffon cake with chocolate ganache. My six-year-old daughter loves it.

Mamta Singhal: It’s very similar for us. I also come from a business background, and my husband, Raj, and I have always wanted to open our own business. We were looking for franchise opportunities when we tried Paris Baguette. We really loved the concept and the products. The cakes and pastries are amazing.

I have a 20-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter, and Paris Baguette has become such a popular hangout place for kids. They actually introduced us to it, and we loved it. So we thought, “Why not own something you already love?”

The cakes are definitely the best. That’s how it all started — and here we are, opening our own.

Rajneesh Singhal: This whole journey started about two years ago. We wanted to find something that would give us more independence from our jobs and allow us to serve the community. We were looking for a food-related business, but not a full-service restaurant. We wanted something like a café or bakery — somewhere people could come to spend time, not just eat lunch or dinner.

We did a lot of research, and in 2023, I walked into a Paris Baguette for the first time. The moment I stepped inside, I fell in love with it. The smell of the baked goods and the overall ambiance were amazing.

Puneet Mittal: We’ve known each other for some time, as both our families come from the same native place in India, which is how I met Raj. When he mentioned the idea of owning a Paris Baguette franchise, it immediately resonated with me. Me and Sweta were already actively researching business opportunities, evaluating real estate options, and connecting with other business owners, so the concept aligned perfectly with our entrepreneurial goals. Owning a Paris Baguette felt like a natural and timely step, bringing together our preparation, market research, and passion for building a strong community-focused business.

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?

Rajneesh: For me, owning a franchise seemed like a lot of work. I thought the franchisor would control most of the business and that we wouldn’t have much freedom as owners. I also assumed the investment would be very high, and we weren’t sure how we’d manage it all.

But as we went through the process, a lot of those perceptions changed. We realized the standards the franchisor brings to the table actually benefit the business — they help maintain product quality and consistency. Along the way, we also learned about funding opportunities, including small business loans, which helped us overcome many of the financial hurdles. Step by step, our mindset about franchising completely changed.

Mamta: Throughout the process, the team was incredibly helpful. They guided us and supported us every step of the way. We were amazed by how organized and thorough the process was.

Sweta: We always thought franchising was too expensive. We never imagined we’d go that route. But during our research, we discovered how strong the support system is — the training, the guidance, and the hands-on help they provide.

When we first started exploring business ownership, it felt overwhelming — the finances, the restaurant operations, everything. But when we learned how Paris Baguette supports franchisees with training, real estate evaluation, vendor connections, and daily operations, etc, it made complete sense for us to move forward.

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

Puneet: It’s actually a very interesting story. Paris Baguette was one of the stores we used to visit often because my wife’s office was nearby. Whenever we were in the Irving or Carrollton area, we’d stop by to pick up cakes and pastries. The most memorable moment was with our six-year-old daughter. She loves chocolate — just like me — and one day she tried the chocolate chiffon cake with ganache. She fell in love with it immediately and said she wanted that cake for her birthday.

Paris Baguette doesn’t normally sell that pastry as a full cake, but we spoke with one of the owners, and they graciously made a custom version for us. It was such a special gesture, and we absolutely loved it. After that, my daughter said, “When I grow up, I want to be a manager here. And if you don’t do a good job, you’re not getting cake!” That’s really when we knew this was something special. The quality of the products stood out, and even our daughter understood what makes this brand so meaningful.

Mamta: I don’t see any other café or franchise that offers such high-quality food. It’s a perfect hangout place, especially for young people, but what’s great is that it appeals to all ages. Whenever we go, we see kids, adults, and seniors — it serves the whole community. The more we’ve gone through this process, the more we’ve fallen in love with the brand and its products. Every day we’re learning something new, and it’s all been so positive.

Sweta: What really stands out for us is that everything is made fresh every single morning. Nothing is prepackaged or shipped in. That freshness makes a huge difference.

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

Sweta: Transitioning from a 9-to-5 job to owning a business is a huge commitment for us. I’ve always wanted to experience the other side of the kitchen. Every time we went to a restaurant, we were curious about what it would be like to run one — to build something of our own that we love and that customers love too.

Paris Baguette makes it such a warm, welcoming space — not only for guests but also for franchisees. Initially, we signed for one location, but we later decided to commit to five. As the territory grows, we may even look to expand further in the future.

Rajneesh: Our goal moving forward is to go full-time with this business. We plan to leave our current jobs and dedicate ourselves completely to running and growing our stores. We want to successfully open the remaining four locations and explore even more opportunities to grow with Paris Baguette.

Puneet: As consumers, we’ve all gone to restaurants where we’ve tasted great food or maybe had an off experience — and I’ve always found myself thinking about the story behind it. If the food is great, why is it great? If it’s not, what went wrong?

That curiosity made me realize I wanted to be part of that story. I want to be involved in creating something people enjoy, to see their reactions, to be part of their happiness. I’ve always loved cooking — I even dreamed of being a chef one day — and while I know I can’t exactly experiment with Paris Baguette’s recipes, this gives me a chance to be close to that creative process. It’s something I’ve always wanted to experience.

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

Mamta: The whole idea really started with Raj. He’s the adventurous one — always wanting to try new things. I was more hesitant at first, thinking it would be too much work and responsibility. But when we visited Paris Baguette, and our kids loved it too, it just clicked. We all fell in love with the brand, and with great partnerships, here we are opening our store and more to come. It’s been a wonderful addition to our journey.

Rajneesh: Yes, like Mamta said, it started as a simple idea: We wanted to open a café, a casual hangout spot where people could relax, not just eat a meal. We never thought that idea would lead us to Paris Baguette, but once we learned more about it, it just fit.

I even asked my 20-year-old son and high-school-aged daughter to check out one of the cafés. When they came back, they said, “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s a lot of work.” That made me think carefully about it. Then, one day, I met Puneet and Sweta, and when I told them about the idea, they immediately jumped in with enthusiasm. Without their energy and partnership, I don’t think I would have moved forward.

Sweta: The journey has been really exciting and has required a major commitment from all of us. Paris Baguette has provided incredible guidance and partnership, especially in the early stages.

A few years ago, before this, we had already been researching opportunities in the food and beverage industry around McKinney and Frisco. We even looked at locations and nearly signed a lease before that deal fell through. So, when Raj came to us with this idea, we were ready. We knew the market, we knew the brand, and we already loved Paris Baguette’s quality and values. It’s been a long journey, but we’re looking forward to what’s next.

Puneet: At first glance, entrepreneurship looks exciting—and it truly is—but it also demands an immense amount of hard work and resilience. I currently work a 9-to-5 role managing a product that generates nearly $170 million in revenue, yet even at that level, job security is never guaranteed. That realization pushed me to seek something more meaningful—an opportunity that offered both stability and true ownership.

Around 2022 and 2023, we began actively exploring business opportunities. My wife, who comes from a strong business background, was an invaluable partner in that journey, helping me think through ideas with a practical and long-term lens. It was during this time that we met Raj at a community event, where he casually mentioned Paris Baguette. Initially, it felt like just another conversation, but a few days later, he called and asked, “What do you think about partnering on this?” That moment marked the true beginning of our journey.

What followed required patience, persistence, and unwavering commitment. Raj and I first had serious discussions in August 2024, and now—14 to 15 months later—we are finally preparing to open our store. There were moments when progress felt slow and even frustrating, but that’s the reality of entrepreneurship. It tests your resolve before it rewards your effort.

Ultimately, we wanted to move beyond the traditional 9-to-5 and build something sustainable, something that allows us to define how we work, grow, and contribute to our community. Having a strong partnership makes that vision achievable. It helps balance risk, unlock opportunity, and transforms the journey into one that is not only more secure, but also far more fulfilling.

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

Sweta: There’s a lot that goes into entrepreneurship. It’s important to understand the level of commitment it requires. Puneet and I sometimes find it challenging — especially with a six-year-old who needs a lot of attention. Patience, persistence, and a willingness to be hands-on, especially in the beginning, are essential.

You can’t approach franchising with the mindset that you’ll open a store and be successful in a few months. It takes time. You have to believe in the brand, put in the work, stay focused, and commit to long-term growth. But when you do, the journey is incredibly rewarding.

Mamta: For new franchise owners, I would definitely recommend Paris Baguette. The franchisor, the corporate team, and the owners are all so helpful and supportive throughout the process. We feel very lucky to have started this business. It’s honestly been one of the best decisions we’ve made.

Rajneesh: Whenever someone asks me for advice, I tell them not to look at the entire challenge all at once — it can feel overwhelming. I used to be like that too, seeing a big problem and stepping back because it looked impossible. But if you break it down into smaller pieces and solve each one step by step, it becomes manageable.

At first, this felt like a huge commitment — a major investment, long hours, and balancing family and jobs. But when I talked with Puneet and Mamta, who already runs their own boutique business, I found motivation and energy from the people around me. Everything started to make sense once we worked through it together.

For anyone considering franchising, I’d say Paris Baguette is one of the best options out there. The corporate team provides a lot of guidance and hand-holding, which is especially valuable for people like us who are new to the food industry. From signing the contract to finding the right location, they’ve walked alongside us every step of the way. We’ve never felt alone in the process, and that makes all the difference.

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.