For the past 18 years, Jeff Han has built a successful wholesale distribution business supplying gas stations and convenience stores across the Richmond, Virginia area. Despite that success, Han and his wife, Hyunjung, had long talked about opening a bakery. Then, during a 2020 trip to South Korea, he discovered Paris Baguette and was drawn to its bright design, welcoming atmosphere and high-quality pastries. Recognizing that Richmond and Henrico lacked a comparable bakery-café experience, Han teamed up with a childhood friend to introduce the beloved international concept to his local community. Because he didn't have professional baking experience, the brand's proven, turnkey franchise model provided a way to start their new venture. Now, Han is preparing to open his first of three planned Paris Baguette locations in the Richmond market, starting with a café in Henrico County.

Han spoke with 1851 Franchise about his path into franchising and what he’s building in Henrico. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Jeff Han: I love having a business and running a business. I learned from my father, with whom I opened a wholesale business in Richmond, which I've been running for almost 18 years now. My customers are gas stations and convenience stores. I have always had an interest in bakeries, and my wife loves them too, so I teamed up with one of my childhood best friends to open Paris Baguette.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Han: Before franchising, I had my own wholesale business. We decided franchising made sense because you don’t have to build from the ground up. You sign onto a well-known, trusted system, but the business can still be your own. It also made sense for us going into a whole new industry. I do not have any kind of culinary background, so franchising made this whole process much easier.

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?

Han: Prior to franchising, I thought franchising was strict and required a lot upfront. I found the opposite with Paris Baguette, since they were very transparent about initial fees and franchisor fees.

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

Han: In 2020, I went to Korea with my family for the first time. There were little bakeries on every corner and we probably went to one every single day of our trip. That is where I first encountered Paris Baguette, and I couldn’t get enough. The interior design was bright and inviting. The pastries and cakes looked and tasted amazing, and the service was top-tier. We're excited to be the first Paris Baguette location in Henrico. Being the first to open in a market is one of the things that drove us to dive into this franchise.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Han: We’re opening in May, with our second location slated for October. My goal is just to be the best bakery in Henrico that people come to. I want to serve all our friends and neighbors good products with great service. That's the only way to bring people in. I think after we are going steady with our three locations, we’ll look into expanding.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Han: I never expected to become a franchisee. It just worked out in a way that I never thought it would. I wanted to open a bakery in 2013, but I was hearing from people that it was too hard, so I just scrapped that plan. But now, we’re ready to go.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Han: You have to not stress about little stuff and just look at the big picture. There will be bumps in the road, especially in the beginning, but you just have to keep going and let your passion drive you. Whenever you have a business, you can't be lazy. No business is going to survive if you don't try your best.

ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE: 
With a projected 1,000 bakery cafés in North America by 2030, Paris Baguette is on a mission to reestablish the neighborhood bakery café as the heart of the community. Paris Baguette serves craveable baked and brewed treats and creates warm and welcoming experiences through a blend of gracious service, expert craftsmanship and community connections. From decisions made behind a desk to smiles offered behind a counter, the desire to spread joy and make the world a happier place drives everything we do. Being a neighborhood bakery café means caring about those around us and finding ways to make a real impact. We do so through our "Love Baked In" programs that bring to life our commitment to serving local communities through various charitable programs and initiatives. Paris Baguette is a leader in the hospitality industry with its commitment to creating unique consumer experiences and a network of successful franchisee relationships. For information and to find the Paris Baguette location closest to you, please visit www.parisbaguette.com.