Paris Baguette

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ab-ai/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-tech-executive-and-samsung-director-to-paris-baguette-franchise-area-developer-2727411" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ankit Bhatnagar</a>, an experienced entrepreneur with a background in software, artificial intelligence and marketing, discovered&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-tech-executive-and-samsung-director-to-paris-baguette-franchise-area-developer-2727411" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> for dessert. Bhatnagar has been hooked as a consumer ever since.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-tech-executive-and-samsung-director-to-paris-baguette-franchise-area-developer-2727411" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;https://ownaparisbaguette.com/</a>.

Transitioning From Tech Executive to Paris Baguette Franchisee

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Bhatnagar runs his own logistics business as an Amazon partner, as well as a CarStar franchise. With Paris Baguette, he is aiming high, with plans for four locations in California.

This brand page has been paid for by PARIS BAGUETTE. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

From Tech Executive and Samsung Director to Paris Baguette Franchise Area Developer

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

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3 University of Tennessee, Knoxville Alumni to Bring Multiple Paris Baguette Franchise Cafés to the Knoxville, Tennessee area

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Meet the Two Best Friends Opening a Paris Baguette Franchise in Record Time

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Multi-Unit Jimmy John’s Franchisee Brings Paris Baguette to Southwest Michigan After Spotting Untapped Demand in His Own Backyard

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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. 

From Tech Executive and Samsung Director to Paris Baguette Franchise Area Developer

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