Paris Baguette

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/susana-wu-a846b194?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mompreneur-duo-to-bring-paris-baguette-franchise-to-brooklyn-2727141" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Susana Wu</a> and Donna Wu have been best friends since they were 16. Now, alongside their business partner Ryan Zhao, they are embarking on a new chapter of their relationship as co-franchisees of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> in Brooklyn, New York. Susana, with her background in data analytics at Uber, and Donna, a seasoned customer service and home kitchen cabinetry design expert, teamed up with Zhao, a successful restaurant manager and investor, to step outside the conventional corporate structure and create something of their own as two moms looking to make their mark in the business world. Their collective decision to franchise with&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mompreneur-duo-to-bring-paris-baguette-franchise-to-brooklyn-2727141" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Paris Baguette</a> was driven by a shared love for the brand's products, a belief in its long-term potential and the opportunity to introduce a unique fusion of French and Asian bakery items to the Park Slope community, an area they felt was underserved in terms of such culinary offerings. “Paris Baguette is very popular in Korea and they are so creative with the pastries and products,” said Donna. “But it is not the typical bakery you would find around a primarily caucasian neighborhood like Brooklyn. It's great we can introduce this concept to the community and make it more diverse.”With plans to expand their venture by opening additional locations in the future, these “mompreneurs” are setting a new standard for what it means to pursue one's dreams against the odds, hoping to pave the way for more minority-owned businesses in their community. 1851 Franchise spoke with Susana and Donna to learn more about their backgrounds, their journey to franchising with 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?Susana:&nbsp;Donna and I, along with Ryan, are partners in this venture. We reside in Staten Island, New York, but we all grew up in Brooklyn, the location of our Paris Baguette franchise. Prior to this, my career was in data analytics; I spent three years with Uber's data analytics team. The economic challenges brought on by COVID-19 prompted me to consider venturing beyond corporate America. I discussed this with Donna, my best friend since I was 16, and Ryan. Together, we explored what opportunities we could pursue. Donna possesses a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and Ryan, who manages eight restaurants but didn't have one in this area, was keen on expanding here.Donna: I never worked in corporate America; my experience is more aligned with customer service. I spent several years working in a restaurant before transitioning to a completely different field — home kitchen cabinetry design. The onset of COVID-19, coinciding with both of us becoming mothers, reignited our interest in pursuing business ownership. We had always harbored the desire to own something of our own, but the opportunity never presented itself, relegating our aspirations to the back burner. This situation prompted us to consider our ambitions more seriously.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?Donna: We didn't have much experience in this area, but we felt that becoming franchisees would offer us a significant learning opportunity and a chance to gain valuable experience. Additionally, we have a strong affection for the brand. Susana:&nbsp;Ryan has a lot of experience with restaurants, and he tells us that sometimes it's hit or miss. It's a lot of work to set it up from scratch and takes a lot of time, and you never know if it's going to work — the menu, the branding, the business model. A franchise is already proven.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Susana: We considered several franchises. It was important for us to genuinely appreciate the franchise before making an investment. After careful consideration, we narrowed it down to Paris Baguette. We are enthusiastic about the products, confident in their quality and believe in the brand’s long-term viability, especially in enduring challenges like COVID-19. We were looking for a franchise that could offer stability during uncertain times. We are particularly fond of the Park Slope neighborhood, which we frequently visit. Unlike the prevalent mom-and-pop and local shops, franchises are not as common in our area, so we wanted to bring something new.&nbsp; Donna: We believe in the Paris Baguette. This area is really lacking this kind of bakery and we think it can do very well here.&nbsp; 1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Susana:&nbsp;We hope to open additional locations in the future. We want to be multi-unit owners.&nbsp; Donna: In Park Slope, the community may not be too familiar with Asian bakeries. Paris is very popular in Korea and they are so creative with the pastries and products. It is not the typical bakery you would find around a primarily caucasian neighborhood like Brooklyn. It's great we can introduce this concept to the community and make it more diverse.&nbsp; 1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Susana:&nbsp;Before all of this, we were stay-at-home moms. We are a minority-owned business — we are two Asian moms who want to break through the glass ceiling. That mission is very important to us.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Donna: There are so many unknown factors. It took us a while to find the perfect location, for example, and it was not as quick as we thought it would have been. You really have to be patient. The most important thing is to trust the process.&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=mompreneur-duo-to-bring-paris-baguette-franchise-to-brooklyn-2727141" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">parisbaguette.com/franchising/</a>.

‘Mompreneurs’ Brings Paris Baguette Franchise to Brooklyn

1851 Franchise

Susana Wu and Donna Wu, childhood best friends turned business partners, are eager to introduce some diversity to the bakery scene in Park Slope.

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

‘Mompreneur’ Duo to Bring Paris Baguette Franchise to Brooklyn

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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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Paris Baguette Franchise - Anusha Jonnala and Swapna Varala - 1851 Franchise

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<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/">Paris Baguette</a>, the French-inspired bakery café franchise with over 260 locations across North America, is on a mission to revive the neighborhood bakery café experience across the continent. For the leadership team and franchisees alike, this requires a unique level of commitment and consideration. For the team at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a>, signing a franchise agreement isn’t the end of the journey — it’s the start of a real partnership. From site selection and construction to hands-on coaching and ongoing support, the brand’s approach is built to ensure every franchisee feels supported at every step.<h2>Support in the Early Stages for a Strong Start</h2>“Our real estate team supports franchisees through site selection and the lease process. After the lease agreement is finalized, the new café development manager becomes the franchisee's primary point of contact,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tannysantana/">Tanny Santana</a>, director of training and development. "From that point forward, they are really the person that holds the franchisees’ hands through the whole process — from building out the café, to getting ready to open, and all the way to opening day."Right after a new owner signs their franchise agreement, they are connected with a new café development manager and construction project manager. Between these two experts, the franchisee always has a clear, accessible point of contact and receives thorough support at all steps in the development process.“Having one point person for all things operational and one point person for construction allows franchisees to build those relationships early on,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystie-keith-27850658/">Krystie Keith</a>, director of franchise development. “One of these managers may not know everything there is to know about the entire process, but they’re an expert in their subject area, and they can help ‘connect the dots’ so the franchisee is not in it alone.”Paris Baguette’s real estate team proactively sources and vets locations, evaluating potential sites on a regular basis, but they also collaborate with franchisees to evaluate other potential sites, putting franchisee-proposed locations through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure they meet standards. Once a specific site — whether proposed by the franchisee or franchisor — is approved, the construction project manager connects the franchisee with a list of approved architects and general contractors who are familiar with Paris Baguette’s standards and processes.As the build-out process proceeds, progress is tracked via a comprehensive checklist, and franchisees have weekly meetings with the development team to review progress, troubleshoot any roadblocks, and prepare for the next steps in the process.“Having a manager to support and guide the franchisee through the process is really important — especially the time management aspect of it,” Keith said. “It’s one of the key facets I’m consistently told separates us from other franchises; we provide true hand-in-hand support.”<h2>Laying the Foundation: Building Expertise Through Intensive Training</h2>The Paris Baguette brand and guest experience is truly unique, and executing on that vision requires in-depth training and thorough knowledge of the day-to-day demands of the business.Franchisees assemble a core team of bakers, cakers, a general manager, and an operating owner to attend training at a dedicated training center. The immersive four-week program ensures teams and leaders are true experts in their craft and the operational and logistical aspects of the brand before opening the doors to the café.&nbsp;“The bakers and cakers go through four weeks of kitchen training, and the general manager and operating partner go through classroom training, kitchen training, and hands-on training in our corporate cafés,” Santana said.Notably, this training period is scheduled with the construction timeline in mind, ensuring teams have ample time to hone their skills without leaving excess space between the end of training and planned café opening date, preventing costly downtime.<h2>A Two-Phase, Carefully Planned Grand Opening</h2>Once the café is built and teams are trained, Paris Baguette launches a thorough café opening protocol.&nbsp;“We don’t just open the doors and say, ‘Good luck!’” Keith said. “We send a pre-opening team to make sure the new franchisee is set up for success. High volumes around opening time are exciting but challenging, and we ensure they have the support in place to service the volume while maintaining the quality and experience people expect from Paris Baguette.”An initial soft opening allows teams to find a rhythm before a major marketing push and a celebratory grand opening.After about two to four weeks of initial operations, the grand opening takes place. At this point, teams have honed their skills, and they are ready to operate like normal. This milestone is also when franchisees can invite local dignitaries and influencers for additional exposure.<h2>A True, Long-Term Partnership Beyond the Ribbon Cutting</h2>Once a café is open, the support does not go away; the model just shifts. Rather than a milestone-centric approach, Paris Baguette teams shift toward providing data-driven strategies and support to ensure operational excellence and continued improvement. At this point, the franchisee’s main point of contact transitions from the new café development manager to the district manager.“I like to say that we pass the baton from development to operations once the café is open,” Keith said. “The district manager is your new partner. They’re familiar with the region, so they can speak to best practices and discuss what other franchisees are doing.”In addition to support from the district manager, franchisees also have access to a learning management system that provides ongoing training resources, from recipes to service standards; support from corporate marketing efforts; and access to a wide-reaching network of similarly passionate franchise owners.While much of Paris Baguette’s training provides valuable information and practical skills, it’s also meant to develop owners and their teams as key figures in the franchise system and in their communities.“The success of our cafés is really due to the culture. Everything in our training is built intentionally around our brand values to reinforce our brand DNA," Santana said. "Through this, franchisees grow into operational and cultural leaders, which is what sets Paris Baguette apart.” 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;

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<a href="http://ownaparisbaguette.com">Paris Baguette</a>, the global bakery café franchise with over 260 locations across North America, has built an elevated brand and highly differentiated franchise model. With warm, welcoming café atmospheres, handcrafted beverages, expertly made cakes and breads and pastries baked fresh daily,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> quickly stands out in the neighborhoods it enters. The brand’s personalized&nbsp;<a href="https://parisbaguette.com/rewards/">PB Rewards</a> program drives guest loyalty and engagement, helping franchise owners open strong and establish themselves as the go-to neighborhood bakery café.While these facets make Paris Baguette a strong investment opportunity, the structures and processes that empower franchisees leading up to the successful launch are just as important. As such, Paris Baguette has built a structured process to support new owners in their journey and equip them with what they need to succeed as they prepare to open their neighborhood bakery cafés. This refined process is one of the key reasons why Paris Baguette has been able to maintain their quality and franchisee satisfaction as they grow so rapidly across North America.Here’s what entrepreneurs can expect as they embark on their ownership journey with the French-inspired bakery café brand:<h2>Due Diligence and Discovery</h2>The path to ownership begins with a simple online inquiry. This initiates a mutual discovery phase where the candidate’s financial readiness and business experience are explored, and the candidate has an opportunity to learn more about Paris Baguette and their team.“The Paris Baguette home office team will contact you to go through your qualifications; once everything looks fine, you’ll start another interview process to discuss your plans to operate the business,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anvar-t-2010012/">Anvar Tulyag</a>, a multi-unit franchise owner in Fresno, California. “It’s not so much about ‘What is Paris Baguette?’ They want to get to know&nbsp;you, and it’s an opportunity for you to get to know the brand and the people you’ll be working with.”Key steps in this stage include reviewing Paris Baguette’s Franchise Disclosure Document and speaking with existing franchisees to learn about their experience of ownership.This emphasis on partnership and mutual evaluation ensures alignment before any agreements are signed. If everyone is in agreement, you’ll receive the franchise agreement to sign, and you’re officially a Paris Baguette franchisee.<h2>Site Selection and Buildout</h2>“After signing your agreement, you’ll get a welcome letter from your team,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystie-keith-27850658/">Krystie Keith</a>, director of franchise development. “You’ll be assigned a new café development manager, a construction project manager as well as a real estate manager. There are three key groups of Paris Baguette support assigned to you as a franchisee, from real estate to ribbon-cutting, we have a subject matter expert that can help guide you through each process.”The immediate integration into the Paris Baguette support ecosystem means franchisees have access to a dedicated team throughout the process.“Having one point person for all things operational and one point person for construction allows you to build those relationships,” Keith said. “You always know who to go to, and you’re not in it alone.”Paris Baguette also leverages a network of real estate brokers who understand the complexities of the local markets and understand the dynamics, from traffic counts to co-tenancy, that drive success.“On the local level, real estate brokers are scouting,” Tulyag said. “They’ll propose locations based on what’s available and the information they’ve gathered. Honestly, I was skeptical when I learned someone from Sacramento would be helping me in the Fresno market, but I was pleasantly surprised. They know every street, every development, and the brokers in town. It’s still the franchisee’s responsibility to work with attorneys and review contracts, but brokers can guide you through signing the contract. So far, we have four agreements, and we’ve worked with these people on each of them. I’ve been very pleased.”The support team stays engaged during this stage to keep the development timeline moving.“We are swiftly growing, and we try our best to minimize the timeline as much as we can to get ahead,” Keith said. “When we know a franchisee is in final lease negotiations, we’ll start to test-fit layouts and begin requesting architectural proposals. Anything we can do concurrently helps our franchise go through the timeline as swiftly as efficiently as possible. The time management piece and our personal guidance throughout the entire process is really important. The hand-in-hand support is what really separates us from other franchises.”When the lease is signed, a construction project manager assists with connecting owners with architects and contractors who have worked on Paris Baguette shops before. Because these partners already understand the brand’s design, it lowers the chance of delays or expensive do-overs.The construction project manager will assist with managing the buildout timeline, from design to equipment sourcing, streamlining the process for the franchisee, guiding and sharing best practices and ways to minimize new cafe opening timeline.&nbsp;“It’s a piece of cake to build the café,” Tulyag said. “They make it so easy.”<h2>Training and Operational Readiness</h2>While the café itself takes shape, franchisees and their core management team — typically four bakers, four cakers, and a general manager&nbsp;are immersed in a four-week training program. The schedule is carefully timed to ensure the team is fully prepared and ready to step in when the café is built and ready to open, without leaving too much time for teams to sit idle as they wait for opening day.This operational support culminates in the arrival of the New Cafe Opening team. This specialized group works on-site for a minimum of 5 days &amp; up to 18 days for new markets and new owners leading up to and following the opening.&nbsp;“We don’t just open the doors and say ‘Good luck,’” Keith said. “The New Café Opening team implements systems, trains the full staff and provides hands-on support during the crucial initial sales period.”For Tulyag, this initial support was invaluable, especially when his café’s volume exceeded expectations.&nbsp; “I was blown away,” he said. “They saw that we needed more than two weeks of additional support. Paris Baguette was there with us, supporting us until we were able to hire additional team members.”<h2>Grand Opening and Long-Term Success</h2>The launch of a new Paris Baguette café is a thoughtful, two-stage process. The journey begins with a soft opening, allowing newly trained team members to perfect operational rhythms and manage guest flow in a controlled environment. This buffer period, which typically lasts two to four weeks, ensures the team is confident and prepared for high volumes.“We want to make sure the team is ready for the grand opening, or any guest appreciation day you wish to host” Keith said. “We also like to give the team a few weeks as a buffer before we invite local dignitaries out to the new café.”Once the team is ready, the official grand opening serves as a major community event, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and invitations to local influencers and city officials. This milestone also marks another key transition in the franchisee’s experience.“I like to say that we pass the baton from the development team to the operations team,” Keith said. “The franchisee’s primary contact shifts from the development and construction managers to a dedicated district manager, who provides continuous, localized guidance during day to day operations.”<h2>A Partnership Built for Growth</h2>Choosing a franchise opportunity is more than an investment in a brand; it’s an investment in a honed system. The Paris Baguette model is meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end support structure that guides entrepreneurs through every stage of ownership.From the initial call to the ribbon cutting, Paris Baguette provides a roadmap for success. Their unwavering commitment to franchisee support is the crucial ingredient that shapes the opportunity into a thriving, community-focused business and powerful investment for the future. 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;

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The Recipe for Success: A Step-By-Step Guide to Opening a Paris Baguette Franchise

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In a competitive investing and business landscape, standing out requires more than just a great business model. It requires a model with a clear purpose, mission, and opportunities for connection. Entrepreneurs are looking for opportunities that allow them to do more than just manage operations, and consumers are actively looking to support brands that align with their own values.&nbsp;<a href="http://ownaparisbaguette.com">Paris Baguette</a>, the global bakery café franchise with over 260 cafés across North America, caters to both of these needs, weaving a focus on community into the fabric of the system.<a href="http://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette’s</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://parisbaguette.com/love-baked-in/">Love Baked In</a> program embraces this philosophy and reinforces their commitment to nourishing communities. And, while the program is one drawn up by the corporate team, the results are driven by local owners, their teams, and their guests.&nbsp;“The Love Baked In philosophy is central to our brand identity,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-chavenet">Cathy Chavenet</a>, chief marketing officer. “It’s a pledge that extends our commitment to our communities and the neighborhoods we serve beyond the four walls of the cafés, and it encourages us to unite around shared causes and discover what’s possible when we work as a united group.”The Love Baked In program currently emphasizes two key partnerships:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cityharvest.org/">City Harvest</a>, a New York-based food rescue organization, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/">No Kid Hungry</a>, through&nbsp;<a href="https://shareourstrength.org/">Share Our Strength</a>, benefitting children and families nationwide.Since partnering with City Harvest in 2023, Paris Baguette has donated over half a million pounds of food, including fresh pastries, sandwiches, and produce from NYC-area cafés. Their partnership with No Kid Hungry, which drove a campaign that ran from August 20th through September 30th, raised over $200,000 in round-ups and corporate and partner contributions that will be used to provide millions of meals to children who need them.This initiative demonstrates the brand’s community-first culture. The national partnership set the stage, but it was the passion of local franchise owners and their guests that really powered the campaign and amplified its impact.These partnerships are two distinct examples of how Paris Baguette shows up in the communities they enter, but the impact is even more wide-reaching, offering a differentiator among guests in the bakery café space, empowerment for franchise owners, and an attractive franchise family for owners and team members to join.“Our community-first culture sets Paris Baguette apart in a crowded market,” Chavenet said. “It provides us a ‘why’ that resonates with team members and guests on a personal level, encouraging brand loyalty and fostering an emotional connection with our guests beyond a single transaction.”The culture also sets the stage for franchise owners to give back in meaningful, authentic ways. With a corporate team that clearly demonstrates a commitment to community, franchise owners feel empowered to bring this culture into local practices and make real, timely impacts on their communities.&nbsp;For example, during the height of the Los Angeles wildfires, a local Paris Baguette owner donated pastries to firefighters and other first responders in the area.“When we speak with prospective franchise partners, we’re looking for more than just strong operators; we’re looking for community leaders,” Chavenet said. “People who want to own&nbsp;the neighborhood bakery café and be truly ingrained in their communities. Our Love Baked In culture is a key differentiating factor, and it helps us attract the right partners for healthy, community-focused growth.”The culture extends to support team hiring and retention, too. Talent is increasingly focused on spending their time with employers who align with their values, or those who provide opportunities to be a part of something bigger. A proven commitment to social impact serves as a powerful tool for attracting these types of team members, and as bakers, cakers, and baristas get to play a direct role in nourishing their communities, they become increasingly invested in the mission and success of both their local bakery café and that of the system and brand as a whole.“Our owners and team members are passionate about building loyal fan bases by first building stronger communities,” Chavenet said. “This is a foundational part of our shared success, and it is the blueprint for a resilient business model. Paris Baguette has proven time and time again that a framework of giving isn’t just good for the soul and community, it’s good for the business, too.” 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;

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

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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;

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Paris Baguette Ranks No. 29 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2026

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Though cake has traditionally been viewed as a high-commitment, shareable dessert reserved for special occasions and group gatherings, this model can box cake in as a rare indulgence and decrease guest frequency for bakery owners.&nbsp;<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com">Paris Baguette</a>, the global bakery café franchise with over 260 cafeés across North America, has turned this expectation on its head with a focus on unique menu items and single-serve options.“Today’s consumers have essentially rewritten the rules,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-chavenet">Cathy Chavenet</a>, chief marketing officer. “Cakes and pastries have become an approachable luxury and a way to bring joy and celebration into everyday life. With this, guests are also looking for more unique or personalized options that feel like a true treat&nbsp;for them; options that are visually appealing and digitally shareable; and snackable, portable options that they can ‘grab-and-go’ to incorporate into their daily routines.”By deconstructing the traditional experience of cake,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette</a> is turning it into an everyday, accessible luxury that drives traffic for franchisees, inspires social sharing, and builds loyalty with younger guests.<h2>Making Cake Personal Again</h2>With a single-serve approach, Paris Baguette is driving a shift from celebration to personal treat, lowering the barrier to purchase and encouraging spontaneous indulgence.“We have seen a fundamental shift in how younger guests approach indulgence,” Chavenet said. “They don’t want to wait for a birthday or milestone to celebrate. Our single-slice offerings democratize high-end cakes and make it possible for our guests to turn any normal day into a moment of indulgence and luxury.”This model aligns well with Gen Z’s view of food and “treats” as a form of self-care and a way to boost mood. By offering an accessible single portion, Paris Baguette empowers guests to buy a slice “just because,” encouraging a much higher frequency of visits compared to a traditional bakery model that focuses on whole-cake sales.The slice model is also more personalized. The whole-cake model forces a need for multiple servings and a commitment to a single flavor, but with a single slice, guests can visit independently or in groups with varied preferences. The ability to personalize the experience is another key differentiator, standing out with a generation that values individualism.<h2>Innovation That’s Both Seen and Savored</h2>Smaller portions make it easy to grab a quick treat, but Paris Baguette also puts real care into how everything looks. From a single slice to a full cake, you’ll see clean layers, varied textures and bright fruit, so the desserts look great and photograph well.“We’ve seen time and time again how important visually appealing, shareable food items are, especially for Gen Z,” Chavenet said. “Every baked good at a Paris Baguette is photo-ready right out of the display case, making it easy for ‘the camera to eat first’ and our guests to share their indulgent selections across a range of visual mediums before digging in themselves.”Paris Baguette’s identity as a global brand differentiates them even further. Rather than sticking to Americanized classics like chocolate and vanilla, they include flavors like matcha, ube, and yuzu, occupying a distinct market niche. Different flavors and cake types catch the eye of the guest (and anyone they share it with) while also introducing new flavors and textures that are savored throughout the dining experience.“Our&nbsp;<a href="https://parisbaguette.com/product/heavenly-cheesecake/">Heavenly Cheesecake</a> is a perfect embodiment of how these differentiators unfold in practice,” Chavenet said. “It’s visually distinct with a soft, billowing shape; it’s perfectly portioned for one; and it’s texturally unique, sparking interest at first sight and encouraging presence and enjoyment throughout the dining experience.”<h2>The Franchisee Advantage: Why This Model Wins</h2>For Paris Baguette owners, these factors come together to create a favorable business position. For franchisees, smaller cake portions encourage guests to visit more frequently than they would for a whole cake purchase, turning the “once-a-year celebration” guest into a low-friction, high-frequency guest.Within the single-slice space, Paris Baguette is still a clear favorite among consumers. With unique flavors, textures, and visual appeal, their slices catch the eyes of guests and lend themselves to organic social sharing, driving further visibility online.Paris Baguette’s “made for the feed” cake slices turn a simple purchase into an opportunity for user-generated content, which starts a long-lasting visibility ripple across social. When a guest posts a photo of a beautiful slice, they are providing an authentic, visual endorsement to their entire network, creating social proof and interest that drives foot traffic directly to the cafés.“Our strategy is about supporting a great guest experience in the moment while positioning our franchisees to build connections and relationships for the future,” Chavenet said. “We are capturing the highly profitable, all-day market for approachable luxury, providing a complete café experience that positions us as the go-to dessert destination for a generation that values personal, shareable treats.”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>.

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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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<a href="https://ownaparisbaguette.com/">Paris Baguette</a>, the beloved French-inspired neighborhood bakery café, has officially broken ground on their first-ever North American manufacturing plant in Burleson, Texas. The multimillion-dollar investment marks a historic milestone for the brand and will serve as a cornerstone of its expansion strategy across the United States and Canada.The new 267,000-square-foot facility, located in Burleson’s Highpoint Business Park, will be the company’s largest overseas baking production plant and is expected to create 450 local jobs. Construction will be overseen by U.S.-based builder&nbsp;<a href="https://jedunn.com/">JE Dunn</a>, with the first phase slated for completion in 2027.“This groundbreaking marks more than the start of construction — it’s the foundation of Paris Baguette’s future in North America,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-tipton-0526324">Darren Tipton</a>, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info">Paris Baguette’s</a> U.S. operations. "With this $200 million-plus facility in Texas, we’re creating momentum and expanding our ability to bring heart, joy, and nourishment to even more communities across North America. This is a significant milestone as we work towards our goal of 1,000 cafés by 2030.”This Burleson facility is about making sure every Paris Baguette across North America, and soon Central America, has a steady, consistent supply of those delicious breads, pastries, and cakes that guests love. Its Texas location is key, strengthening the entire supply chain and logistics as the brand continues to grow.With more than 4,000 bakery cafés worldwide — including over 3,700 in South Korea — Paris Baguette is making rapid progress toward its goal of 1,000 locations in North America by 2030. As of 2025, the brand surpassed 260 cafés across the U.S. and Canada. Paris Baguette’s impressive expansion has not gone unnoticed. The brand secured the No. 1 spot in the Bakery Franchise Category on Entrepreneur’s 46th Annual Franchise 500 list,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025-2728359">climbing 19 spots overall to rank at No. 42</a>.&nbsp;"This plant is a game-changer for us," Tipton said. "It's really about making sure that as we grow, every Paris Baguette still offers that amazing quality and freshness our customers expect. We've got a lot of momentum, and this investment means we can keep giving our guests that fantastic neighborhood bakery café experience they love, no matter how big we get."Local officials, including Burleson Mayor Chris Fletcher and Johnson County Judge Christopher Boedeker, joined Paris Baguette executives for the groundbreaking ceremony. The investment is expected to make Paris Baguette one of the largest employers in Johnson County.“Texas is more than just the location of our first North American plant — it’s the launchpad for our future,” Tipton said. “By investing in local jobs, innovation, and sustainability, we’re creating opportunities that benefit not just our brand, but the communities we serve.”

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