Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Investment $159,000 - $475,000$1,010,985 - $2,252,846
Franchise Fee $47,500 - $57,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19981987
Year Franchised 19981993
Term Of Agreement 5 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years20 years
Renewal Fee negotiated-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • *Experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator *Recognition as a top restaurant operator *Net worth of $7.5 million *Liquid assets of $3 million *Infrastructure and resources to meet our development schedule *Real estate experience in the market to be developed *Total commitment to the development of the Panera Bread brand *Cultural fit and a passion for fresh bread


    Financing Options

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
    Training --
    Support Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 80% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 7 - 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 - 60

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe

    Are you interested in partnering with a world class food company with the most unique product offering to hit the QSR industry in years? We’re excited about the opportunities too! Beard Papa’s Cream Puff products and operations are proven. Backed by over six years of operating experience and over 240 cream puff stores in Japan and other areas in Asia, we are part of the Muginoho Group family with various restaurant concepts in Japan and other areas in Asia. The trademark of our cream puff specialty stores is a "beard papa" against a bright yellow background. We stuff each crunchy puff with whipped cream custard every time an order is placed. You can watch as they are being created in the store. Everyday we bake choux pastry shells and prepare our special, secret recipe of whipped cream custard in our store. Our motto is to serve only the freshest cream puffs from beard papa's kitchen. Our cream puffs do not contain any preservatives. Only the highest quality ingredients go into making them because we want to serve you only the best. We use only natural-grown vanilla beans.
     
    Since 1999, Beard Papa’s has been baking the world’s best cream puffs. We began in Japan and have expanded to over 400 stores in 15 countries and territories! We are committed to bring you a pastry that is super oishii! (delicious!).

    About Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company

    After more than 17 years in the retail industry, Ken Rosenthal changed gears and founded Saint Louis Bread Co. in 1987. His goal was to create a neighborhood bakery where people could pick up fresh-baked bread, meals and snacks. In 1993, Rosenthal sold Saint Louis Bread to Au Bon Pain Co. Six years later, the company was renamed Panera Bread. The future growth of Panera Bread will be based upon company bakery-cafe development as well as the continued sale of franchise area development agreements. Panera Bread does not sell single-unit franchises, so it is not possible to open just one bakery-cafe. Rather, we have chosen to develop by selling market areas which require the franchise developer to open a number of units, typically 15 bakery-cafes in a period of 6 years. Panera Bread franchises must be well-capitalized to open great bakery-cafes and meet this aggressive development schedule. Additionally, they must have a proven track record as excellent multi-unit restaurant operators to operate great Panera Bread bakery-cafes.

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