Ankit Bhatnagar, an experienced entrepreneur with a background in software, artificial intelligence and marketing, discovered Paris Baguette in 2019 while working as a director at Samsung. While he was out for dinner with colleagues on a business trip, someone suggested going to Paris Baguette for dessert. Bhatnagar has been hooked as a consumer ever since. 

Intrigued by the brand, he combined his business acumen with his wife's, Rashu Bhatnagar, passion for baking to explore franchising opportunities. They decided to become area developers for Paris Baguette, with plans to open four bakery cafes. The first will be opening soon in Hayward, California, with three to follow in Alameda, Danville and Union County. 

Bhatnagar took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he 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?

Ankit Bhatnagar: I've been an entrepreneur for several years now, but my background is predominantly in software, artificial intelligence and marketing. I came across Paris Baguette in 2019 when I was a director at Samsung, visiting New Jersey, where Paris Baguette's headquarters are located. My colleagues and I were planning to go out for dinner, and they suggested visiting Paris Baguette for dessert. I asked, "What is that?" but when we went, I was amazed by the store. Although we were almost full, we still indulged in cakes and other items. My favorite is the blueberry chiffon, by the way. That visit was my introduction to Paris Baguette.

Since then, I wanted to pivot to something that involved my wife Rashu, who has always been passionate about baking. Her whole family is into cooking and baking. Given my background in software and starting various companies, we began exploring the idea of franchising. My wife, Rashu Bhatnagar, was looking into various other brands, but we decided on Paris Baguette because we had been loyal customers for six or seven years. After some discussions, we reached out to Paris Baguette, and they liked our profile. I had successfully run other businesses during COVID and my wife is a great entrepreneur as well. We interviewed with the CMO of Paris Baguette, and I made it clear that I wanted to open four stores and become an area developer. I didn’t want to settle for just one store — I always aim for something bigger. That's how we became area developers for Paris Baguette.

In addition to this, I also run a logistics business as an Amazon partner, delivering packages in the Bay Area. I’m also involved in another franchise, CarStar, which specializes in collision repair.

1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you're in it?

Bhatnagar: The first thing I consider is whether the brand is strong enough. Building a brand in today’s competitive market is not easy, but Paris Baguette is a well-established brand. They've been in Korea for a while and have expanded significantly in the U.S. We conducted a lot of surveys in various cities, traveling to places like Las Vegas, New Jersey, Texas and the Bay Area. We interviewed hundreds of people, asking them about Paris Baguette. Many were already familiar with the brand and were excited about our plans to open new stores.

When it comes to franchising, a strong brand is crucial. It solves many pieces of the puzzle. Another key factor is the framework the franchise provides, especially for first-time business owners. It helps them avoid many struggles. The brand, the framework and the staff — who are great, smart people — were all critical components in my decision. I also received several invites from other franchise owners, but ultimately, we decided that Paris Baguette was the perfect fit.

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

Bhatnagar: The amount of sugar they put in their products is amazing, and it's never too much. I have a sweet tooth and used to eat a lot of sugary products. I've tried many local bakeries, and while they’re all great, Paris Baguette just stands out. The freshness and the perfect amount of sugar are what make their products special. Their customer service is also top-notch. I love their croissants, cakes and pastries, and I could keep talking about them.

1851: What’s your big goal for your first year in business with Paris Baguette?

Bhatnagar: My main goal is to establish the number one Paris Baguette franchise store in California and North America. That’s why we leased one of the largest spaces available — 4,500 square feet. Now, we need to stand out in terms of customer service and product delivery. In short, the goal is to be number one.

1851: What advice do you have for aspiring franchisees?

Bhatnagar: To set up any business, whether it's a franchise or something else, you have to be passionate. You have to roll up your sleeves and get involved. I've always believed in leading from the front, and that’s how you build a culture where people can follow your lead. Once you've established that, you can step back and help others succeed.

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 180 locations in markets across the country, 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/.