Restaurant Owner and Sister Become First Paris Baguette Franchisees in Nashville, TN

Hanna Chen and Kate Lee grew up with fond memories of Paris Baguette* cakes and breads being served at family and friend celebrations. Ever since, the sisters dreamed of owning a bakery café of their own. 

As Chen and her husband owned a sushi restaurant in Midtown, Nashville, Tennessee where there are currently no Paris Baguette locations, they noticed how people would drive hours to the nearest location to buy the products in bulk and bring them home. Upon seeing just how dedicated the fan base was, Chen saw an opportunity for business ownership that could fill a gap in the market. 

At the same time, Lee worked for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Company in Montgomery, Alabama and saw how much her colleagues also adored the Paris Baguette in the area. When her sister suggested they become business owners with the brand together, Lee agreed without any hesitation and moved to Nashville to join her sister, so they could bring their favorite childhood memories back to life and share the joy they experienced with their new community. 

Now, they are looking forward to opening the first Paris Baguette location in Tennessee in the summer or fall of 2024.

1851 Franchise spoke with Chen and Lee to discuss their journey into franchising and their plans for the future.

PROFILE QUESTIONS

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

Lee: My sister and I were born in South Korea, so we grew up eating Paris Baguette in South Korea. We moved to the US when I was 21 and Hanna was 17, and I was employed by Hyundai Motor Company for over five years after that. Seeing how many of my coworkers loved Paris Baguette inspired me and gave me the idea to go into franchising with the brand. For this reason, I moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee to start a Paris Baguette franchise with my sister. 

Chen: I was also employed by an automotive company until I met my husband Eric, who has been in the restaurant industry for over 10 years, and I've been in the restaurant industry with him since then. We currently own a sushi restaurant in Midtown, Nashville, TN. 

I wanted to own a Paris Baguette in Nashville because we believe that it is something Nashville has been missing. We did some research and realized Paris Baguette listed Nashville as part of their expansion strategy, so it all made sense for us.

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?

Lee: Paris Baguette is rapidly growing in North America and worldwide, so we had the perspective that the brand was different from other franchises. Well-established franchises often offer a ready-made business plan, which includes proven operational methods, marketing strategies and a recognizable brand image.

Franchises typically come with a set of rules, standards, and procedures that must be followed.

Of course, we have to abide by the franchisor’s rules and there are higher start-up costs than starting an independent business. Higher start-up costs are a common aspect of franchising, but they are often justified by the support and benefits provided by the franchisor. Even with this restricted flexibility, franchises are much less risky because of the brand recognition and the consistency that comes with all the rules and the standards.

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

Chen: Me and my sister grew up eating these pastries and cakes, and I’ve been seeing people willing to travel long distances and buy the products in bulk. The brand's popularity and loyalty inspired me and brought back our childhood memories. For these reasons, we've decided to bring the beloved bakery café to Tennessee and signed the franchise agreement as the first venue in Tennessee back in 2021. 

We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a location for our Paris Baguette franchise at 1111 Church Street in downtown Nashville, TN. In a stunning high-rise building with full windows, our bakery will offer a picturesque setting, providing a delightful atmosphere for customers to savor their pastries and cakes. Additionally, we are pleased to offer the convenience of one hour of free parking, ensuring an enjoyable and hassle-free experience for our valued guests. 

We are eagerly anticipating the summer/fall of 2024, when we plan to open our doors and share the sweet flavors of our childhood memories with the vibrant city of Nashville. We can't wait to become part of this community and create new, delightful memories with our guests. 

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

Lee: We are so excited to bring baked joy to the Nashville area and our commitment is firmly centered on people and always putting them first. Our aim is to become the go-to place for all: a place intertwined with your celebrations and special moments. We are eagerly looking to connect with remarkable minds to join our team and share in our passion. Looking ahead, we envision expanding to several more locations throughout Tennessee in the future. We can't wait to embark on this journey and be a cherished part of our community.

Chen: Currently, we are actively cultivating relationships with first responders and students in the local community. Our Paris Baguette business is not just about delicious pastries; it's also an opportunity to create meaningful job opportunities for the hardworking individuals in our community. We are dedicated to fostering connections and making a positive impact through our presence in Nashville.

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

Chen: When we were celebrating our birthdays growing up, we celebrated with Paris Baguette cakes. In both moments of joy and times of difficulty, Paris Baguette was our go-to place, and it is a place that meant a lot to our family. 

We believe in the mantra 'teamwork makes the dream work.' With this in mind, we are looking forward to building a dedicated and talented team. Together, we aim to spread joy and create a special place for the Nashville community with the brand that holds a special place in our hearts.

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

Lee:  If you're interested in franchising, make sure to choose a brand or product that you’re passionate about and committed to for a long time. Mental preparation is important. 

Building a successful business requires a resilient mindset, as you'll inevitably encounter numerous challenges along the way; the key is to rise above them and keep moving forward. The ability to effectively manage stress is the most critical quality a business owner needs to ensure long-term success. 

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 https://ownaparisbaguette.com/.