Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise Comparison

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.

You will receive the best in support from the moment you begin your discovery, to your pastry shop opening and beyond. It is our mission to provide you with the highest quality products, training, support tools, marketing and more while avoiding the many costs and headaches that often come with running a full-service restaurant or similar business.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a traditional Le Macaron French Pastries pastry shop or permanent kiosk ranges from $131,500 to $361,500.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a mobile kiosk ranges from $84,350 to $147,000. This includes $74,500 to $126,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. If you elect to develop three Pastry Shops under our multi-unit development program, then you will sign our area development agreement and pay us a development fee equal to $99,000.