From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

Kari Khandelwal, a longtime Overland Park resident and pharmacist of more than 16 years, is preparing to open her first Paris Baguette* franchise — and she’s bringing with her a deep commitment to community care and precision. After owning and operating an independent pharmacy where she focused on compounding and individualized treatment, Khandelwal found that her passion for baking had much in common with her former profession. “I believe there’s actually a strong connection between pharmacy and baking,” she said. “It’s chemistry. You have to get it right or the outcome isn’t what it should be.”

That connection is more than technical. For Khandelwal, the true link between both careers is empathy and service. “Patient care was always my top priority. That personal connection — understanding their story, why they were taking a medication, how I could help — that was always very meaningful to me,” she said. She now plans to offer that same level of warmth and attentiveness in her Paris Baguette bakery café. “When someone walks into a bakery, it should lift their spirits. It should feel like a second home — a space where people can leave their stress behind and just enjoy themselves.”

After visiting a Paris Baguette in New York and falling in love with the menu and atmosphere, Khandelwal knew she had found the right fit. “We hadn’t seen anything like it in Kansas,” she said. “Paris Baguette has treated us incredibly well. They’ve guided us through every step — weekly calls, advice, and no question is ever too silly. We’re completely new to this business, but they’ve made us feel supported and empowered.”

As a first-generation immigrant and parent with strong ties to local schools, Khandelwal sees this new business as an opportunity to reinvest in her community. “I plan to partner with local school districts and support local initiatives,” she said. “Sponsoring events, supporting the football team — these are the kinds of things I’m passionate about. I want this to be a real neighborhood spot, not just another franchise location.”

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

Kari Khandelwal: I’m a pharmacist by training. I’ve been in the field for over 16 years, and I used to own an independent, locally run pharmacy. Patient care was always my top priority. That personal connection — understanding their story, why they were taking a medication, how I could help — that was always very meaningful to me. It’s the reason I went into independent pharmacy in the first place.

After doing it for so long, I decided to follow my passion for baking and pastries. I believe there’s actually a strong connection between pharmacy and baking. I used to do compounding in pharmacy, which is very specific and science-based — just like baking. It’s chemistry. You have to get it right or the outcome isn’t what it should be.

To me, baking is therapeutic. When someone walks into a bakery, it should lift their spirits. It should feel like a second home — a space where people can leave their stress behind and just enjoy themselves. That’s the kind of atmosphere I want to create. My goal is to offer more than food — I want to offer comfort.

We’ve lived in Overland Park for a long time. Both my kids went to Blue Valley schools — one graduated, the other is still in high school. This community has given us so much, and I want to give something back. That’s the main idea behind opening this bakery.

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

Khandelwal: Like I mentioned, I was a pharmacist and owned my own pharmacy. But I’ve always loved baking — it’s a real passion of mine. When we visited a Paris Baguette in New York, we fell in love with the food, the quality, and the service. We hadn’t seen anything like it in Kansas.

I knew I wanted to bring something unique to my community, and franchising with Paris Baguette felt like the right way to do it. I’m not a trained pastry chef, but with franchising, I could still deliver a high-quality product with strong support behind me.

Paris Baguette has treated us incredibly well. They’ve guided us through every step — weekly calls, advice, and no question is ever too silly. We’re completely new to this business, but they’ve made us feel supported and empowered.

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?

Khandelwal: I used to think franchising was more like what you see with Starbucks — all corporate-owned with general managers running each location. But with Paris Baguette and other similar brands, it’s owner-operated. It’s personal. You’re putting your heart into it, and it’s your store.

That’s a big difference. Even though it’s a franchise, it still has that local, personal touch. I’m fully involved. I care deeply about the people who walk in the door, and I want them to feel like they’re part of a family.

Franchising gives you access to proven systems and quality products, but it still requires your full commitment. You have to treat every guest like you’d want to be treated yourself — that’s how I approached my pharmacy, and that’s how I’ll run this bakery.

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

Khandelwal: The menu is extraordinary — especially the cakes. You can get everything from macarons to donuts to salads and sandwiches. It’s not just a bakery. It’s a place where people can gather — students can study, families can enjoy coffee together, or someone can just stop by for a treat. It’s really the perfect fit for everyone.

We’ve been to other French bakeries, but nothing compares to the Paris Baguette experience. The food, the ambiance, the customer service — it’s just different. That’s what made us fall in love with the brand.

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

Khandelwal: First and foremost, I want to serve my local community — especially South Overland Park and Leawood, since we’re right on the border. Once I’m confident in how things are running and I’ve built something successful, we’re planning to open another location in Missouri.

This is about creating something lasting. I want this bakery to feel like part of the neighborhood, a gathering place where people can relax and connect.

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

Khandelwal: I’m a first-generation immigrant, and transitioning from a white-collar profession like pharmacy to something more community-based — something high-touch like a bakery — shows how much heart I’m putting into this. I care deeply about the people around me.

I plan to partner with local school districts and support local initiatives. My younger daughter was in the high school marching band, and we’ve been very involved in the schools. Sponsoring events, supporting the football team — these are the kinds of things I’m passionate about. I want this to be a real neighborhood spot, not just another franchise location.

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

Khandelwal: I would absolutely recommend Paris Baguette — not in my area, of course, but definitely somewhere else! Their process is incredibly well thought out. From the moment we started, they walked us through everything, step by step. No question was too small. They treated us with respect and kindness, even though we were completely new to this world.

Overall, franchising — especially with the right brand — gives you a strong foundation to build something meaningful. It’s still hard work, but it’s work you can believe in.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://ownaparisbaguette.com or  https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette.

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 over 200 locations in markets across North America, 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 https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.