1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrychen96?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=paris-baguette-franchisees-fill-vital-bakery-niche-in-puerto-rico-powered-by-a-five-generation-family-legacy-2726174" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Harry Chen</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirley-chen-b72352b7/fr?trk=people-guest_people_search-card&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=paris-baguette-franchisees-fill-vital-bakery-niche-in-puerto-rico-powered-by-a-five-generation-family-legacy-2726174" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shirley Chen</a>, seasoned entrepreneurs with a diverse business background spanning the restaurant, food distribution, real estate and retail industries, are now introducing&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=paris-baguette-franchisees-fill-vital-bakery-niche-in-puerto-rico-powered-by-a-five-generation-family-legacy-2726174" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette*</a>, the globally beloved neighborhood bakery café franchise, to a whole new part of the world: Puerto Rico.&nbsp;The duo have already established themselves as dynamic business operators across various sectors in Puerto Rico, with Shirley having an extensive business operating background and deep familial ties to the island that go back over five decades and Harry’s real estate and private equity expertise from New York.&nbsp;The decision to franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> was influenced by Harry's lifelong familiarity with the brand from his time in New York and the realization that such a product could fill a gap in the local market where consumers&nbsp;are eager for new and exciting food and beverage options.&nbsp;Shirley, having grown up on the island, is excited to introduce this beloved brand locally and looks forward to creating added value in the community through the new job opportunities this venture will create. Overall, they are excited to not only open a new business, but also to enrich the local culinary scene, creating a gathering place that resonates with the Puerto Rican community.&nbsp; 1851 Franchise spoke with Harry Chen and Shirley Chen to learn more about their backgrounds, their introduction to Paris Baguette and their plans for the future.&nbsp;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?Shirley: I was born in Colombia from Chinese parents and we moved to Puerto Rico when I was 4 years old. I grew up in Puerto Rico and went to school here. I come from a business operating background, following in the footsteps of my parents and in-laws' 50-plus-year legacy on the island. Our family’s businesses span across various industries such as food distribution, restaurant industry, cannabis industry, retail and real estate.&nbsp;Harry: I come from a real estate and private equity background in New York. After the COVID-19 pandemic, I visited the island along with family and friends. I enjoyed the weather and beautiful beaches, but most of all, the kind people and friendly culture. I decided to relocate and Puerto Rico has been home ever since. Nowadays, I am still involved in real estate activities as a full-time resident of Puerto Rico.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?Harry:&nbsp;Franchises are really a scientifically-proven restaurant model. They have stood the test of time. The return might be slightly lower than starting something from scratch, but you get a longer-term investment with fewer risks along the way.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Harry:&nbsp;Growing up in New York, I've been exposed to Paris Baguette my entire life. After spending some time in Puerto Rico, I realized there wasn't a bakery, or cake shop franchise on the island. We didn't have the expertise to start such a business on our own, so we knew a model like Paris Baguette with its products would be very successful. With over 3 million residents and more than 5 million tourists visiting annually, the potential for growth is substantial.Shirley: I am very excited about this venture because growing up in a Chinese household, pastries and baked goods are a big part of our culture. Like Harry mentioned, there really aren’t many options of shops specialized in baked goods and cakes on the island. Growing up, my mom would often bake her own pastries and cakes for the enjoyment of our family. During a visit to New York, I met with Harry at a local Paris Baguette. I was in awe of the selection of products but most importantly, the freshness and the quality of the baked goods and cakes. It brought back so many beautiful childhood memories of sharing freshly baked goods with my family. For me, this venture is very personal. Although my mom is no longer with us, I am sure she would have loved everything about Paris Baguette. I cannot wait for our shops to become a place where families get to create their own moments of joy daily, with the rest of our community.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Shirley:&nbsp;We’ve signed on for one territory. Based on our market research, our goal is to open around four units on the island. We are excited to expand and grow our footprint and look forward to Paris Baguette becoming a household name in Puerto Rico.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner? Shirley: In any business venture, it's very important to do your due diligence, understand the brand, the product and your audience. As a franchisee, it should not be any different. Most importantly, you need to be aligned with the brand and the product itself. If you don’t believe in the product, it doesn’t matter how much support you get from the franchisor, it isn’t going to translate into the operation, and ultimately will trickle into your customer’s experience. Really, it's all about making sure it is right for you before jumping in. For us, Paris Baguette was just the right franchise, with the right product, at the right time.&nbsp;The total investment to franchise with Paris Baguette ranges from $652,565 to $1,750,900, including a $50,000 franchise fee. For more information, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info</a>.ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTEParis Baguette is a bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units across the globe. The brand first started franchising in 2015 in the U.S. and has since established more than 125 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=paris-baguette-franchisees-fill-vital-bakery-niche-in-puerto-rico-powered-by-a-five-generation-family-legacy-2726174" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">parisbaguette.com/franchising/</a>.

Paris Baguette Franchise Comes to Puerto Rico

1851 Franchise

Entrepreneurs Harry Chen and Shirley Chen leverage deep local ties and extensive business acumen to introduce the beloved global bakery café to Puerto Rico's vibrant market for the very first time.


Paris Baguette Franchisees Fill Vital Bakery Niche in Puerto Rico, Powered by a Five-Generation Family Legacy

paris-baguette-franchisees-fill-vital-bakery-niche-in-puerto-rico-powered-by-a-five-generation-family-legacy

Test Brand

Items You Should Never Pack in Your Checked Bag When Flying

items-you-should-never-pack-in-your-checked-bag-when-flying

Sparkle Squad Window Cleaning Services

Sparkle Squad Franchise - Ryan Fraser - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Commercial Real Estate Veteran Leverages Commercial Work To Grow Sparkle Squad Franchise

sparkle-squad-franchise-new-jersey-ryan-fraser

Children's Lighthouse

Values-Based Curriculum Gives Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Owners a Competitive Edge

Why a Values-Based Curriculum Gives Children’s Lighthouse Franchise Owners a Competitive Edge

values-based-curriculum-childrens-lighthouse-franchise-competitive-edge

ServiceMaster Restore

How ServiceMaster Recovery Management Leads Commercial Disaster Recovery

How ServiceMaster Restore’s SRM Team Becomes the First Call for Commercial Disasters Nationwide

servicemaster-recover-management-srm-commercial-property-restoration

Current Publishing: Children’s Lighthouse To Open in Indiana

current-publishing-childrens-lighthouse-to-open-in-indiana

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

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

hardees-franchise-closures-arc-burger-lawsuit

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

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

image of ian ruppel and linda kinne franchisee owners from melting pot in syracuse New York

Long-Time Melting Pot Franchisee To Revive Syracuse, New York, Location in Destiny Mall

melting-pot-returns-syracuse-destiny-mall

image of Danielle Pointer from Kidstrong  South Utah County child development franchise

Stay-at-Home Mom Returns To Work by Bringing KidStrong to Utah County

kidstrong-utah-county-danielle-pointer

Christmas Decor Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

christmas-decor-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

do-you-qualify-a-look-at-the-chick-fil-a-franchise-requirements

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

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

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

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

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

Paris Baguette Franchisees Fill Vital Bakery Niche in Puerto Rico, Powered by a Five-Generation Family Legacy

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS