Colorado Businesswoman Signs for Four Paris Baguette Locations in the Greater Aurora Area

Annie Song, a new Paris Baguette* franchisee and long-time business owner, has known the perks of the franchise model for years. However, she had never been able to find the right fit.

However, after a recent business trip, Song stopped by a Paris Baguette — for a quick bite before flying out of Las Vegas. She began speaking with the owner and realized that Paris Baguette had begun to award franchises. This was something she had looked into years ago, before the brand broke into the franchise space, and Song knew she had found the right opportunity with the right franchisor at the perfect time. 

Now, with a four-unit agreement signed, her first is set to open mid-June at 10601 East Garden Drive, Unit 105 in Aurora, Colorado.

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

Song: For a little over a decade, I have been running a retail clothing store that specializes in streetwear fashion, operating as a boutique. Coming from a family of small business owners, I began working in various businesses during my high school years. I gained hands-on experience, starting from the basics. This gave me an opportunity to understand how to run a business. I acquired skills in conducting research and building professional connections with vendors. I realized the importance of excellent customer service in all forms of business. Coming to understand the value of expanding my business interests, I opted to explore the option of franchising. 

When I realized Paris Baguette had started offering franchises, I made the decision to apply and see where it would lead me. It’s easier to follow the franchise model because it’s “copy, paste.” It’s way easier than creating the recipes, concept, branding, imaging and marketing all on your own. As a franchisee it gives me more time to focus on the details of operating the business and growing the brand. 

Paris Baguette already had all of that, and it’s a successful company, so I know the processes they’ve come up with work well. 

I had known franchising was the right fit for me for a while, and I even looked into some other brands, but I was not in love with any of them. Once COVID hit, I took a step back from that. However, when the Paris Baguette opportunity presented itself, I knew immediately it was the right brand for me. Pastries hold a special place in my heart as they bring back cherished memories from my childhood, and that’s why I love them. Paris Baguette gives me the ability to appeal to a diverse range of customers at various times enabling them to make lasting memories with their loved ones. 

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?

Song: My perception of franchising is that the franchisor has rules and guidelines the operator follows but success is not guaranteed. I believe that being a competent and attentive operator is the key to achieving success as a franchisee. Today, I still hold that belief and wish to convey it to others. 

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

Song: What ultimately made me choose the brand was the amount of support franchisees receive. They have everything down to a T in terms of what you need to do, what processes you should follow and any other steps you need to go through. I didn’t know that they had 200-plus item checklists! That just shows you how in-depth the guidance is and how much they know about their business.

Paris Baguette is willing to teach you, and the training is so in-depth. The team encourages you to bring your team, your core, and they’re constantly emphasizing the importance of good employees. They tell you what and who to look for, and that’s important because that core team is who you’ll rely on to help run the bakery successfully. I love that aspect. It’s not something you get from other franchisors.

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

Song: My goal is to establish a bakery cafe that functions as a community hub, attracting customers who seek a cozy and inviting atmosphere to indulge in delicious treats and enjoy each other’s company. I plan on establishing bakery cafés in communities that lack a central gathering place. 

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

Song: I want to give back to the community. This is so much more than just making money. Hopefully, I can share my knowledge and experiences with others and maybe help them secure their own franchises. If I can give advice or mentorship, I can help other minority women get into business and be successful. I want to give back just as much as I’ve gained.

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

Song: Have a good support team, and love the franchise that you are picking. It is a working relationship, and you have to love the people that you’re working with on the franchisor side.

Another thing is that, at discovery day, the franchisor is not just interviewing you as the franchisee; you are interviewing them as the franchisor. Franchising creates long-term partnerships, and you need to make sure these will be good partnerships.

ABOUT PARIS BAGUETTE

Paris 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 122 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 https://parisbaguette.com/franchising/