The Great Franchisee | Local Entrepreneur Signs to Open Paris Baguette in Cary to Meet Community's Demand

Software distributor and entrepreneur Conrad Lam Yuen has been searching for ways to diversify his business portfolio and bring a new brand to his local area. After learning about the success of Paris Baguette*, the bakery café franchise with more than 4,000 units across the globe, in New York, he knew that the brand could succeed in the Cary community.

Lam Yuen plans to open his first Paris Baguette location in Cary. In the future, he has his sights set on other areas within the state. His goal is to establish multiple successful bakeries and provide jobs and careers for those who live in North Carolina. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Lam Yuen to learn more about his franchising journey with Paris Baguette.

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

Conrad Lam Yuen: I was a mobile games developer and distributor in the software development industry. I wanted to diversify my business and try something new, which is why I turned to franchising. My business partner is from New York, and he saw a huge opportunity with Paris Baguette in his area. We both thought that the brand could do well in Cary. The Cary area is known for being family-friendly and having a high-end vibe.

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?

Lam Yuen: I saw franchising as a more stable form of doing business. I knew that with a brand that is already established, there would be significant potential. I thought that would be especially true for Paris Baguette.

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Lam Yuen: Cary’s demographic for Asian Americans is large, and Paris Baguette has a large following in that demographic. My business partner and I knew that that community would recognize the brand and help it to gain traction with other communities a little bit faster. Our goal to bring Paris Baguette to more communities aligns with the brand’s mission to make it more mainstream.

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

Lam Yuen: Most of my business is done out of state and internationally. My business partner and I are excited to be back in the North Carolina Triangle and back in the local area. I’m most

excited to have a local impact, employ local people, and make other connections with business owners.

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

Lam Yuen: My goals align with Paris Baguette’s to establish more locations and make the brand more mainstream. I want to help them do that by opening more local franchises. I want to expand throughout North Carolina — maybe in Charlotte and Greensboro.

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

Lam Yuen: I’m still learning about the process as I go. But I would say to listen to your Paris Baguette representatives. Follow their lead, and don’t deviate. What deviations I’ve done cost me a lot of time I could've saved. I would also suggest not getting caught up in the little details.