Former Stay-at-Home-Mom Embraces Entrepreneurial Dreams With Paris Baguette in St. Louis

Kenix Fong, the newest franchisee in the Paris Baguette network, spent 16 years staying home to take care of her children and family. However, when her oldest began driving, she found herself with a lot more time. Coincidentally, the family discovered Paris Baguette, a global bakery café franchise brand, while on vacation last year, and the experience reignited Fong’s longstanding interest in owning a bakery.

After experiencing Paris Baguette for herself, Fong knew it was something she would love to be a part of and was excited to bring the unique experience to the St. Louis community. Now, her very own Paris Baguette location is set to open next summer.

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

Fong: I have been a stay-at-home mom for 16 years. I have two beautiful kids; one is 16 and the other is 14. But since my kids are older and one of them can drive now, I have more time on my hands. I believed I could do something that I really liked! I have always wanted to open a bakery but never got the chance to do it. Honestly, I never thought I was a skilled enough baker, either. When our family went on vacation in June of 2022, we found a bakery named Paris Baguette, and we loved everything it had. I found out that the brand offered franchise opportunities. There’s nothing like a Paris Baguette in St. Louis, so our family made a decision to invest.

Franchising made sense to us because we do not need to know everything about the bakery café industry. We just need to follow the system that Paris Baguette provides, and we will do great! 

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?

Fong: I always believed in franchising because there’s a proven system to follow. I don’t need to invent anything. People like me enjoy going to a café to relax and gather with friends, and Paris Baguette offers the perfect bakery café setting and experience to its customers.

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

Fong: We picked Paris Baguette because we love the design of the café and the products! Paris Baguette is expanding rapidly, and we are excited to go on this journey with the corporate team.

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

Fong: I hope to have multiple units in the state of Missouri. I am expecting to open another store if my first location does well during the first six months of business.

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

Fong:  You’re never too old to start a business. Follow your dreams, and make things happen!

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

Fong:  Find the industry that you love to be in. If you don’t love what you do, you are not going to be as successful as you want. Also, do not reinvent the wheel. Just follow the system your franchisor provides. Work with the franchisor as much as you can, and I am sure anyone can be a great franchisee.

The total investment to franchise with Paris Baguette ranges from $652,565 to $1,750,900, including a $50,000 franchise fee. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette/info 

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 nearly 150 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 guests and help guests share moments of joy with their friends and family by providing world-class cakes, pastries, coffees, breads and other French-inspired bakery café fare. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit ownaparisbaguette.com.