Franchisee Brings Her Passion for Paris Baguette to Morristown, New Jersey, with Family-Run Bakery Café

Susan Saa — along with husband Fahad Kananeh, mother Wannia Saa, father Fabian Saa, brother Fabian Saa Jr., sister Linda Saa and brother-in-law Anthony Prell — is bringing her love for the Paris Baguette bakery café brand to life by opening a new location in Morristown, New Jersey. What began as a family tradition — her brother bringing Paris Baguette cakes home from New York — has turned into a full family effort to open their own café. Susan’s passion for the brand stems from the high quality and consistent perfection of Paris Baguette’s products, especially their cakes, which she describes as perfectly balanced and never overly sweet. This dedication to quality is what inspired her and her family to invest their time and energy into the franchise.

Beyond her love for the brand, Susan is committed to giving back to the Morristown community. She and her family aim to create a warm and inviting space where locals can gather, whether they’re celebrating a big win or simply enjoying a cup of coffee. Her husband volunteers as a soccer coach, along with brother-in-law, Anthony; and the family has a strong history of involvement in local schools and community events. With their Paris Baguette bakery café, Susan and her family plan to continue supporting community activities, such as sporting events and tournaments and teacher appreciation days, while providing employment opportunities for people in the area. This café is more than just a business; it’s a way for Susan and her family to contribute to the community they love.

Susan Saa sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss her journey into franchising with Paris Baguette, her affinity for her local community of Morristown and her plans for the future.  

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Susan Saa: I come from an entrepreneurial family. My father moved to the U.S. about 30 years ago and, after two years, started an import and export company focused on bringing products from South America. We've been running that business for almost 25 years now, and it's become well-established. Growing up, I always loved baking and cooking, and I had dreams of attending culinary school, but somehow I ended up studying math and running the family business. However, cooking remained my passion, and at every family event, I would be the one planning the menu.

My love for cooking started with my grandma, Georgina. Although she passed away when my mom was only 10, my mom always remembered her amazing cooking. Later, when my brother moved to New York, he would bring us cakes from Paris Baguette for special occasions, and we all fell in love with their products. Eventually, my family and I sat down and decided we wanted to open a business we truly believed in, and Paris Baguette became the obvious choice.

1851: It sounds like you came to franchising through Paris Baguette, rather than the other way around. Is that accurate?

Saa: Yes, that's exactly how it happened. It wasn’t that we were looking to buy a franchise and then found Paris Baguette; we fell in love with the product first. Every time my brother visited, he would bring us their cakes, and we just loved them. Eventually, we realized that driving an hour to get a cake or waiting for my brother to visit wasn’t practical, so we decided to open a Paris Baguette in North Jersey. We believed in the product, and that belief led us into franchising.

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?

Saa: Before getting into franchising, I always believed that having your own business was the key to success and stability. My father instilled in me the idea that owning a business is how you build a future for yourself. Now that I’m in franchising, I’ve learned that you need to choose something you genuinely believe in. It’s not just about owning a business; it’s about loving and understanding the product you’re offering. Franchising with Paris Baguette has been a guided journey — they’ve supported us every step of the way, and I’m really grateful for that.

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

Saa: Paris Baguette was an easy choice because we loved the quality of their products, especially the cakes. We were drawn to the brand because the cakes weren’t overly sweet like many other bakeries, and every time we had one, it was gone in no time. The quality, the moistness and the balance of flavors were something we hadn’t experienced before. What excites me most is the consistency in their products — no matter which location you visit, you get the same high quality, and I love that kind of perfection.

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

Saa: For us, success is not only about financial growth but also about creating opportunities for others. We’re excited to be able to employ about 25 people, many of whom are single mothers or people supporting families here or back in their home countries. We’re also focused on giving back to the Morristown community, which is very diverse. We want to create a space where people feel welcome and connected. Beyond this first store, we’re already planning to expand, but we want to make sure this store is the best it can be before moving forward with more locations.

1851: Tell us more about your involvement with the Morristown community.

Saa: Our connection with the Morristown community is very important to us. My husband and I have always been involved, whether it’s through volunteer work or school activities. He’s a volunteer soccer coach, and my sister and I have been active in the PTA. 

We see Paris Baguette as more than just a café — it’s a place where the community can come together. We plan to support local events, like soccer tournaments and teacher appreciation days, and work closely with schools and organizations in the area. We want our café to be a welcoming place where people can feel connected, whether they’re celebrating after a big game or just enjoying a cup of coffee in a warm and inviting environment. Giving back to the community is a huge part of our vision for this business.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Saa: The most important thing I want people to know is that this isn’t just a business for us—it’s a family effort. My sister, brother, husband, parents, and even my brother-in-law have all contributed to making this store a reality. From handling the construction to helping with the training, every member of our family has played a part. We’ve all invested time, money, and effort because we believe in what we’re doing, and I’m confident we’ll be successful because of that.

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

Saa: My advice is to make sure you love and believe in the product you’re selling. Franchising isn’t just about following a business model; it’s about being passionate about the brand and what it stands for. With Paris Baguette, we’ve had incredible support from day one, and they’ve guided us through every step. It’s also important to remember that you can’t cut corners—training and following the system are crucial to success. If you put in the work and believe in what you’re doing, you’ll have the foundation you need to 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/.