For Ratnakar Pingili, Harisha Gunna and Smitha Suravaram, opening a Paris Baguette in Fort Worth, Texas, is more than a new business venture — it’s a full-circle moment.
Growing up around their parents’ bakery in India, sisters Gunna and Suravaram developed a deep appreciation for the joy that fresh-baked goods can bring to a community. Even as their careers took them into medicine and technology, that love for baking never left their hearts.
Now, joined by Gunnas’ husband Pingil who has been a strong motivation and support in realizing their dream. The trio is blending their childhood memories with their entrepreneurial dreams to create a welcoming space where Fort Worth locals can enjoy fresh beginnings, handcrafted treats and a sense of community — all baked into every experience at Paris Baguette.
1851 Franchise spoke with Gunna and Suravaram to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to Paris Baguette and their plans for the future.
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?
Smitha Suravaram: I’m a doctor by training. My sister, Harisha, is in technology. Back home in India, our parents owned a bakery, so baking has always been a part of our lives. Even though our careers took different paths, that love for baking stayed with us. It’s wonderful to have someone like my brother-in-law who is dedicated and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make our dreams a reality. Now, it's the three of us — me, my sister and my brother-in-law — bringing that passion back to life here in Texas.
Harisha Gunna: Growing up around the bakery was a huge part of our childhood. Once we settled here, we wanted to recreate that experience and bring a piece of it to our new home.
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?
Gunna: We did a lot of research before deciding. We knew we wanted a proven business model with high-quality products. Paris Baguette offered that, and we felt confident that their systems and support would help us succeed.
Suravaram: This is our first time opening a business in the United States. Paris Baguette has been an incredible partner — they offer a strong support system, online marketing resources and very structured training programs. You never really know what to expect until you’re in it, but having them by our side through every step made a huge difference.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Gunna: Everything at Paris Baguette is freshly baked on-site, and there’s so much variety — around 70 different bakery items. The freshness, the quality and the wide range really excited us. It’s something we’re proud to offer to our community.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Gunna: We’re confident this first store will be a success, and our plan is to continue growing from here. A year from now, we hope to sign on for more locations. That’s the vision.
1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?
Gunna: We’re excited to create new jobs and give back to the community. Building a team and being part of Fort Worth’s growth is something we’re really looking forward to.
Suravaram: Our goal is to be truly involved — hiring locally, staying connected with the people we serve and growing with the community.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?
Gunna: You get a lot of direction and support when you sign with a strong franchise. You’re never alone — there’s always someone helping you along the way. Talking to other owners is also very valuable.
Suravaram: Even when you think you know what’s ahead, having the guidance and structure Paris Baguette offers has made a huge difference for us. We’re excited for the future and grateful for the journey so far.
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 200 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 https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.
Paris Baguette
With a shared love for baking and a vision for growth, this family trio is blending heritage and opportunity into a delicious new beginning.
For Ratnakar Pingili, Harisha Gunna and Smitha Suravaram, opening a Paris Baguette in Fort Worth, Texas, is more than a new business venture — it’s a full-circle moment.
Growing up around their parents’ bakery in India, sisters Gunna and Suravaram developed a deep appreciation for the joy that fresh-baked goods can bring to a community. Even as their careers took them into medicine and technology, that love for baking never left their hearts.
Now, joined by Gunnas’ husband Pingil who has been a strong motivation and support in realizing their dream. The trio is blending their childhood memories with their entrepreneurial dreams to create a welcoming space where Fort Worth locals can enjoy fresh beginnings, handcrafted treats and a sense of community — all baked into every experience at Paris Baguette.
1851 Franchise spoke with Gunna and Suravaram to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to Paris Baguette and their plans for the future.
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?
Smitha Suravaram: I’m a doctor by training. My sister, Harisha, is in technology. Back home in India, our parents owned a bakery, so baking has always been a part of our lives. Even though our careers took different paths, that love for baking stayed with us. It’s wonderful to have someone like my brother-in-law who is dedicated and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make our dreams a reality. Now, it's the three of us — me, my sister and my brother-in-law — bringing that passion back to life here in Texas.
Harisha Gunna: Growing up around the bakery was a huge part of our childhood. Once we settled here, we wanted to recreate that experience and bring a piece of it to our new home.
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?
Gunna: We did a lot of research before deciding. We knew we wanted a proven business model with high-quality products. Paris Baguette offered that, and we felt confident that their systems and support would help us succeed.
Suravaram: This is our first time opening a business in the United States. Paris Baguette has been an incredible partner — they offer a strong support system, online marketing resources and very structured training programs. You never really know what to expect until you’re in it, but having them by our side through every step made a huge difference.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Gunna: Everything at Paris Baguette is freshly baked on-site, and there’s so much variety — around 70 different bakery items. The freshness, the quality and the wide range really excited us. It’s something we’re proud to offer to our community.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Gunna: We’re confident this first store will be a success, and our plan is to continue growing from here. A year from now, we hope to sign on for more locations. That’s the vision.
1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?
Gunna: We’re excited to create new jobs and give back to the community. Building a team and being part of Fort Worth’s growth is something we’re really looking forward to.
Suravaram: Our goal is to be truly involved — hiring locally, staying connected with the people we serve and growing with the community.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?
Gunna: You get a lot of direction and support when you sign with a strong franchise. You’re never alone — there’s always someone helping you along the way. Talking to other owners is also very valuable.
Suravaram: Even when you think you know what’s ahead, having the guidance and structure Paris Baguette offers has made a huge difference for us. We’re excited for the future and grateful for the journey so far.
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 200 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 https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.
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