Here Are The Top 10 Bakery Franchises To Open in 2023

Have you ever been interested in franchising a bakery but don’t know which one to choose? We’ve listed the top ten bakery franchises to help you decide which franchise is the best for you!

1. Cinnabon

Does the smell of Cinnabon’s cinnamon entice you not only to eat but sell it to other consumers? Well, Cinnabon is one of the best bakery franchises to open for any new or experienced franchisor. Although they’re an established brand, Cinnabon is still looking for franchise opportunities across the United States. As expected from Cinnabon, you will receive comprehensive support like training, growth, and marketing.

They require potential franchisees to have a minimum net worth of $300,000 and $120,000 in liquid capital.

You can start your franchising journey with Cinnabon by filling out their contact form.

An alternative to Cinnabon for another bakery franchise in the same brand is Auntie Anne’s. They have the exact franchise requirements, which you can read more about here.

2. Crumbl Cookies

Do you want to sell baked goodies like cookies? Crumbl Cookies is the ideal franchise for you! You can offer a variety of cookies and other baked goodies to customers every week. Plus, customers can witness how these cookies are baked with an open-kitchen concept. You can become a franchisee in seven steps and apply to become one here.

You can still open a Crumbl Cookies franchise in most Northeastern states, like Pennsylvania, New York, and New Hampshire. The only available midwest states are Minnesota and Wisconsin. There are still some opportunities in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

3. Breadsmith

What makes Breadsmith attractive to many franchisees? Breadsmith is a growing franchise, and many franchisees can help expand their stores to many states. Plus, Breadsmith allows franchisees to customize their menus based on Breadsmith’s 300+ recipes.

Since 1994, Breadsmith has started franchising their bakery to give other consumers a taste of their bread and other baked goods. According to Entrepreneur, Breadsmith is available to franchise in 48 states, including the District of Columbia. 

If you’re interested in starting a Breadsmith franchise, here’s their contact form.

4. Corner Bakery Cafe

Although they’re primarily a cafe, Corner Bakery Cafe offers baked goods, too, such as sandwiches and paninis. Like other franchises, you can expect support from Corner Bakery Cafe when opening your first-ever store with them. In addition, you can open a Corner Bakery Cafe franchise in five easy steps, starting with your application, then a review of your business plan and financial plans. After that, it goes through approval, and finally, the Grand Opening!

Check out this article on the franchise cost and requirements of a Corner Bakery Cafe.

5. Great Harvest

If you truly want to start a bakery franchise, Great Harvest is one of your best options. For one, Great Harvest is one of the most affordable food-related franchises, having initial startup costs of less than $600,000. And if you want to open a Great Harvest, you have to ensure that your location has a population of at least 30,000 people and no Great Harvest franchise is available within 15 miles of your desired territory.

You can submit an application here.

6. Paris Baguette

Do you like the idea of selling French-inspired baked goods? Paris Baguette is the first of two on our list of the best bakery franchises. It takes seven steps for you to become a franchisee, and it starts by submitting your application to franchise a Paris Baguette here.

And if you want to own a Paris Baguette, you need to have a net worth of $1.5 million, plus $500,000 in liquid assets. Aside from those, it’s best to have experience in the food service industry. Plus, the qualities they look for in a future franchisee are:

• Passion
• Action-oriented
• Open-mindedness
• Flexibility
• Commitment to excellence

Also, read this article if you want to learn more about the cost and other requirements of a Paris Baguette franchise.

7. Le Macaron French Pastries

Le Macaron French Pastries is the second of two French-inspired bakery franchises on our list. As their name suggests, expect that you’ll sell macarons, other French pastries, and chocolates! The franchise gives franchisees three options on how to sell their pastries: 

• a traditional shop or permanent kiosk (starts at $164,180)
• a food truck (starts at $112,530)
• or a mobile kiosk (starts at $84,730)

You can start your franchising journey with Le Macaron French Pastries here.

8. Wetzel’s Pretzels

With over 350+ stores across the US, it’s no secret that Wetzel’s Pretzels is becoming one of the fastest-growing pretzel franchises. You have six options in franchising a Wetzel’s Pretzels:

• Mall Inline
• Freestanding Kiosk
• Store within a Store
• High-foot Traffic Areas
• Shopping Center or Street
• Food Trucks

If you live in the West and want to grab the opportunity to get a Wetzel’s Pretzels, you better decide soon because Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona have limited availability for franchising opportunities there. However, they have future markets in several states, like Arkansas, North and South Carolina, and Vermont.

You can start becoming a franchisee here by filling out a form.

9. Pretzelmaker

Pretzelmaker makes it easy for future franchisees to open a franchise with them in four easy steps. Of course, like most franchises, it starts with filling out an application. But what makes Pretzelmaker attractive for some franchisees is the lower minimum net worth ($250,000) and liquid assets ($100,000). The franchise has traditional and non-traditional franchise options, like mall kiosks, airports, or campuses.

10. Shipley Do-Nuts

Do you live in the Southern states and want to franchise a well-known but growing brand? Shipley Do-Nuts is one of your best options to franchise. Currently, the states available for a franchise are:

• Colorado
• Oklahoma
• Arkansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Tennessee
• Alabama
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Florida
• Virginia

They are open to franchising their donut shop to other states in the future.

If you want to open a Shipley Do-Nuts store, you need to have experience in the Food and Beverage industry. Plus, you need to have leadership skills and drive, and that you’re also a people person. Also, Shipley Do-Nuts is a great opportunity if you want multi-unit ownership of a franchise. To get started, fill out their contact form here.

Final Thoughts

Some bakery franchises like Cinnabon and Auntie Anne’s have become household names, yet they’re still looking to expand their growth and success in the US and the world. However, franchisees can also look to other growing franchises for an opportunity to help a brand grow and achieve success.