Paris Baguette

Mark Mele joined the global bakery café concept Paris Baguette as Chief Development Officer in 2020 to further its franchise development efforts. Using a combination of support for franchisees, new store prototypes and a mission to bring back the neighborhood bakery café, Paris Baguette is poised for growth to meet its goal of opening 1,000 units by the year 2030.<h4>1851 Franchise: What is Paris Baguette doing well right now?&nbsp;</h4><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmele/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-qa-with-mark-mele-chief-development-officer-for-paris-baguette-2717720" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mark Mele</a>: There are three things we’re doing well right now.One thing we are doing really well right now is following up with prospective franchisees. We’re especially good at it, actually. We’re following up with them and properly vetting all prospective franchisees in our pipeline to ensure that they’re not only a good fit for us, but to make sure we are a good fit for them. We’re doing the due diligence to pre-qualify candidates and determine whether a partnership with a franchisee makes sense.&nbsp;Another thing we are excelling at right now is offering support to new franchisees. Once the franchise agreement is executed, we’re supporting new franchisees with a new store development manager. This position is key from a support angle. From the day the franchise agreement is signed to the day of a new location’s opening, the new store development manager is spending a great deal of time with franchisees to make sure everything is running smoothly and that the franchisee and their team is set up for success.&nbsp;The third thing we are doing well right now is working through the real estate process and construction process. We want to make sure that our new stores are in a flagship-type location. Meaning, we want new stores to be in a lifestyle center that has heavy retail, grocery stores and is populated with foot traffic and pedestrians. As far as construction, we’ve really changed our approach from an architectural standpoint. We’re building a 3.0 prototype that we are working on now. All of our new stores are being developed with the new prototype and we’ve established a list of preferred vendors including architects, general contractors and project management companies, all of which oversee new construction for Paris Baguette.<h4>1851: What would you say stands out as differentiators for the brand?</h4>Mele: Part of what makes Paris Baguette stand out as a brand is that we’re one of the few bakery café brands left in the industry. If you’re looking for a bakery in your town, and think “I want to be a franchisee because I trust the franchise models,” there aren’t many choices on what you can open. A lot of brands that were bakeries over the years have sort of strayed from that path, and whereas we’re staying true to being strictly a bakery. Our roots are deep in being a baking company, and we’re really good at it. We’re also good at operating a bakery café, and we’re especially good at franchising. It’s appealing to prospects that want support from a franchise system as well as a great bakery café.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Looking to the future of Paris Baguette, what are your growth goals for 2022?</h4>Mele: In the coming year we have set a goal to sign 150 franchise agreements and open 56 units. Overall, we have a 10-year goal to open 1,000 units in the U.S. We’re targeting several markets across the country, including 24 states while expanding upon current developments in 4 U.S. states.<h4>1851: What is your vision that you want Paris Baguette to fulfill?</h4>Mele: We want the brand to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café in every community. There’s so much joy to be had in having the opportunity to visit a neighborhood bakery café that offers expertly crafted baked and brewed goods to guests. We want our guests to be able to understand our values and the idea that our brand is really about spreading joy.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What were some learning opportunities found during the pandemic that the brand has since leveraged to get where it is now?</h4>Mele: The pandemic taught us a lot of things. We were so focused on what to do the right way, and by the guidelines, but at the end of the day, it was all about the guests. Think about it, you’re in a retail restaurant and you’re serving fresh baked goods to people who are all taking in different information. These customers are walking into our bakery cafés, and no matter how they personally feel about the pandemic, you want to present food in a way that makes them feel comfortable.&nbsp;The pandemic helped us to better present our fresh baked goods to our guests. We also got better at how we should package our products in a way that allowed customers to continue perceiving our services as a source of joy. Customers were coming in during the pandemic because they craved our fresh baked products, so we had to make sure the service and delivery was right, and that it was presented the right way so that we could continue to impress our guests.<h4>1851: What were the influencing factors that encouraged you to join the Paris Baguette team?</h4>Mele: There were three reasons why I chose to join Paris Baguette. The first reason was that I felt like the position of the company was aligned with my experience. What they needed was what I could provide them with.Second, the brand’s dedicated to high-quality attracted me.&nbsp;Third, the development mission of Paris Baguette was a big factor. They set a goal to open 1,000 bakery cafés in 10 years, and that was a mission I could buy into, for my future, and the future of the brand.<h4>1851: What does the ideal franchisee look like for Paris Baguette in 2022?&nbsp;</h4>Mele: The ideal franchisee candidate for Paris Baguette in 2022 looks like someone who is passionate about the Paris Baguette brand, and could get excited about serving people in their own establishment. We want to work with someone who is going to take the time to learn our process and model and be caring with their staff everyday so that the staff understands the most important person is the guest and how the guest perceives us when they come in to visit us.&nbsp;Our team is looking for someone who is a people person, a high-quality individual who has a business skill set and the financial wherewithal to invest in the business and to keep it afloat in good times and in bad times. We also look for candidates who have a prior business background with success in operating a successful business in the past. We prefer someone who has restaurant or bakery experience, but if not exactly that then we like a business background that is similar.&nbsp;As far as a franchisee’s approach to being a hands-on owner, we definitely want people who are active in their business. While they can hire a general manager to be running the bakery café, especially if they own multiple units, we want them to be able to visit their locations and be involved every day. The most important step in being a franchisee is being engaged in the business. You want the proper general manager running things while you’re still engaged and have your finger on the pulse of the business.<h4>1851: Can you share the ways Paris Baguette supports franchisees that people may not know of?</h4>Mele: We have regular, scheduled visits to cafés for quality control. These audits help us ensure that guests are perceiving us the way we want and that our mission of bringing joy back to the community through a neighborhood bakery café is being met. Additionally, we offer regular training inside the bakery cafés as well as outside the bakery cafés at our HQ, or a regional Paris Baguette facility. We also have annual business meetings to support our franchisees. We have a franchise advisory council that is there to support our franchisees. Lastly, local and regional marketing funds are provided to help franchisees share the concept with potential customers.The total investment to franchise with Paris Baguette ranges from $528,270 and $1,638,554, including a $50,000 franchise fee. For more information, please visit: <a href="https://parisbaguette.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-qa-with-mark-mele-chief-development-officer-for-paris-baguette-2717720" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://parisbaguette.com/franchising/</a>

A Q&A with Mark Mele, Chief Development Officer for Paris Baguette

1851 Franchise

After a successful 2021, Mele looks toward future development of the brand as they aim to open 1,000 units in the U.S. by the year 2030.

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MOONACHIE, N.J.&nbsp;— Following a year of remarkable growth in 2025, including 77 new cafés opened and nearly 300 more awarded,&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/">Paris Baguette</a>, the global franchise with over 290 cafés across the U.S., will attend the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.multiunitfranchisingconference.com/">Multi-Unit Franchising Conference</a> March 24-27. As they continue to grow,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> has remained committed to upholding the highest standards throughout the system, from initial franchisee onboarding to the in-café guest experience. MUFC represents another key opportunity for the brand to continue this growth and collaboration.“As a growing brand, it’s essential that we remain connected throughout our system and with other leaders in the industry,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-tipton-0526324">Darren Tipton</a>. “MUFC gives us an opportunity to continue building on our momentum, nurture collaboration both among our teams and with the broader multi-unit community, and highlight Paris Baguette as a leader in the industry and a prime opportunity for skilled multi-unit owners looking to grow their portfolios.”Over the course of the conference, Paris Baguette owners and leadership will have opportunities to hear from experts, gain new perspectives and weigh in on key topics for multi-unit franchisees. Topics include the guest experience, the meaning of value and service for today’s employees and consumers, financing for growth, and operations and profitability strategies.For Paris Baguette, which has emphasized franchisee engagement, support, and alignment as they grow, these conversations, workshops, and networking opportunities are another way to support healthy, long-term growth.“The people behind Paris Baguette are what make us who we are,” Tipton said. “Continuing to emphasize that personal aspect and leaning into a franchise-first model that recognizes the value of a clear, cohesive culture and a supported, satisfied franchisee base will be a key factor in our ongoing success.”In addition to strategic alignment across multiple levels of the Paris Baguette franchise system, Paris Baguette will also be hosting a booth at #2125 and #2123 to showcase their model, growth opportunities for prospective franchise owners, and hand out free samples.&nbsp;With strong momentum across North America and a format built for growth, Paris Baguette continues to stand out for entrepreneurs seeking a bakery café brand with both scale and neighborhood appeal.The Paris Baguette team will be available to discuss their industry-leading support, elevated café design, and growth opportunities across the country.For more information, visit the Paris Baguette team at Booth&nbsp;#2125 and #2123 or email kkeith@parisbaguette.com to schedule a meeting.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 290 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&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.">https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.</a>&nbsp;

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After opening 77 cafés and awarding nearly 300 more in 2025, the global bakery café franchise will connect with high-growth multi-unit owners and drive innovation and alignment throughout the system.

Paris Baguette to Attend Multi-Unit Franchising Conference 2026 Following Record-Breaking Year of Expansion

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How Paris Baguette’s ‘Love Baked In’ Culture Nourishes Communities

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Cake, Reimagined: How Paris Baguette Is Winning Gen Z With Slices Made for the Feed, Not Just the Fork

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In a recent episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paris-baguette-and-the-road-to-1-000-restaurants-with/id1448762355?i=1000750526071">“QSR Uncut” podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://ownaparisbaguette.com">Paris Baguette</a> Chief Development Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-scaccio-83728422">Nick Scaccio</a> sat down with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyklein14/">Danny Klein</a> to discuss the rapid growth the bakery café franchise has experienced across North America. When Scaccio joined the brand in 2020, there were 73 cafés in the U.S. Now, there are more than 290 cafés across the country with hundreds more in development.Scaccio attributes much of this momentum to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette’s</a> unique brand identity that prioritizes the highest quality across a range of freshly-made breads and pastries, fresh sandwiches and salads, handcrafted beverages, and both cake slices and whole cakes. With such diversity in the menu, Paris Baguette is relevant across all dayparts, from morning pastries and coffee to lunchtime grab-and-go items.Over the last few years, Paris Baguette has seen incredible growth, defying industry trends of stalled growth. Scaccio pointed to a people-first philosophy as the primary driver of this growth, emphasizing the importance of a strong partnership between the corporate team and local operators.“How genuine someone is about loving the brand is critical,” Scaccio said on the podcast. “So we talk openly about the menu, what they've tried, which franchise owners they've contacted, and how the conversations went. We meet in person, when and where possible … And then, if there are other businesses, we'll tour and spend time and even meet some members of their team. I think all of that is critical before entering an extremely long-term relationship. We take that very seriously, and we appreciate that our franchise owners do, too.”Looking ahead, Paris Baguette is showing no signs of slowing down. With a goal of reaching 1,000 U.S. units by 2030, Scaccio says he expects to have that number fully accounted for between open cafés and awarded development deals by the end of the quarter. As the franchise continues to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of communities across the country, they’re proving a focus on hospitality and execution remains key to success in competitive markets.Listen to the full podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paris-baguette-and-the-road-to-1-000-restaurants-with/id1448762355?i=1000750526071">here</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com">https://ownaparisbaguette.com</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette.">https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette.</a>&nbsp;

Photo of Paris Baguette CDO Nick Scaccio, Road to 1,000 Restaurants

As the bakery café franchise continues along a rapid growth trajectory, their people-first values and versatile, all-day menu are fueling steady success. 

QSR Uncut: Paris Baguette and the Road to 1,000 Restaurants, With CDO Nick Scaccio

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MOONACHIE, N.J.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/">Paris Baguette</a>, the global bakery café franchise with over 4,000 locations around the world, closed 2025 with incredible momentum, marking their most successful year to date. With 77 new bakery cafés opened, including a new record of fourteen in December alone, 101 leases signed, and nearly 300 development agreements signed,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> has laid the foundation for an unprecedented 2026, and continues on the trajectory to and beyond 1,000 North American locations by 2030.&nbsp;Paris Baguette’s momentum in 2025 was further validated by strong industry recognition. The brand was ranked No. 29 on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500?type=multisearch&amp;data1=randomize:false,rankId:f500&amp;sort=f500&amp;sortMethod=global&amp;globalLimit=25">Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500®</a>, earning the No. 1 spot in the bakery café category, a significant jump from No. 42 overall the previous year. Paris Baguette was also recognized on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prweb.com/releases/paris-baguette-ranked-no-112-in-2025-technomic-top-500-chain-restaurants-report-climbing-over-20-spots-from-prior-year-302548964.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurants Report</a>, ranking No. 112 and climbing more than 20 positions year-over-year, underscoring the brand’s sustained sales growth, operational strength, and expanding footprint across North America.Adding to the momentum, Paris Baguette broke ground on its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crbgroup.com/news/je-dunn-construction-crb-break-ground-on-first-paris-baguette-manufacturing-facility-in-u-s?utm_source=chatgpt.com">first North American manufacturing facility in Burleson, Texas</a>, a strategic investment in the brand’s infrastructure designed to support long-term scalability and growth.In late 2025, Paris Baguette also welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-sulma-05540736/">Zac Sulma</a> as Chief Operating Officer, bringing extensive hospitality and multi-unit leadership experience to support the franchise’s scalable growth. In his role, Sulma will focus on enhancing operational processes and strengthening franchisee support across the system.In addition to their footprint growth, Paris Baguette’s financial health remains strong with over five consecutive years of positive comparable sales growth. As they grow both in size and impact, it’s clear Paris Baguette has maintained their unique experience and continues to resonate deeply with the communities they enter.“Reflecting on the past year, it’s clear that, while we’re opening doors, we’re also building the heart of the community,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-tipton-0526324">Darren Tipton</a>. “Reaching nearly 80 new café openings and celebrating our 250th location were two major wins for us, but I’m especially proud of our people. All of our successes are a result of the people behind Paris Baguette, and they prove that we’re operating with more heart and focus than ever before.”The momentum built in 2025 serves as a springboard for continued success through 2026. Paris Baguette is on track to open their 400th North American bakery café this year, a result of 150 planned openings. This ambitious roadmap includes expansion into 10 new U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and territories.While the numbers paint a picture of rapid growth, Tipton remains committed to expansion fueled by Paris Baguette’s core values.“We’re heading into 2026 from a position of incredible strength, supported by an enhanced infrastructure and a pipeline that shows no signs of slowing down,” Tipton said. “Our focus remains on nourishing the communities we serve and spreading joy with each interaction, and we look forward to our continued growth with franchise partners who share our priorities.”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 280 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&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/">https://ownaparisbaguette.com/</a>.

The global bakery café franchise climbs Entrepreneur Franchise 500®, breaks ground on $200M Texas facility, and welcomes new COO Zac Sulma.

Paris Baguette Hits Record 77 Café Openings in 2025, Prepares for 400th North American Location

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MOONACHIE, N.J. —&nbsp;<a href="http://ownaparisbaguette.com">Paris Baguette</a>, the global bakery café franchise with over 280 locations across the U.S., is proud to announce their inclusion in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500® list&nbsp;</a>for 2026. They were ranked No. 29, up 13 spots from their 2025 ranking, and they were again ranked No. 1 in the Bakery Cafe category. This recognition underscores&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette’s</a> commitment to excellence and their dedication to delivering an exceptional bakery café experience that delivers joy across North America.“The Franchise 500 is widely recognized as the gold standard in franchising,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-tipton-0526324/">Darren Tipton</a>. “It’s a recognition of the strength and potential of top franchise systems around the world, and we’re proud to have been included.”Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, which is now in its 47th year, is the industry’s most competitive and comprehensive franchise ranking. Franchises are evaluated on a range of factors, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, and brand strength. Each brand receives a cumulative score based on more than 150 data points. Franchises are then ranked in order of their overall score, providing prospective franchisees with a trusted source to evaluate franchise opportunities.The strength of Paris Baguette’s model is only solidified by their recent growth. In 2025, they opened 77 new bakery cafés, executed more than 100 leases, and awarded nearly 300 development agreements. With a full pipeline and interest growing nationally, they’re on track to open 150 new locations this year alone, which will push them over the 400-unit mark.“We’re committed to continued growth as we work to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community in markets nationwide,” Tipton said. “With freshly baked pastries and breads, artisan cakes, and handcrafted beverages, Paris Baguette offers a level of quality and expertise that fills a vital gap in communities across North America.”To view Paris Baguette’s full profile on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/paris-baguette/335793">https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/paris-baguette/335793</a>. Results are also featured in the January/February 2026 issue of Entrepreneur, available on newsstands.ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTEParis 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 280 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&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/">https://ownaparisbaguette.com/</a>.&nbsp;

Photo of Paris Baguette chocolate cake with strawberries

The global bakery café franchise climbed 13 spots from their 2025 ranking and was again ranked No. 1 in the Bakery Cafe category. 

A Q&A with Mark Mele, Chief Development Officer for Paris Baguette

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