Franchise Information, advice and news.

Baked goods are perhaps some of the most popular foodstuffs on the market, from freshly made bread to sweet cakes and treats, consumers everywhere spend a fortune on bakery produce every year.

And while supermarkets are capitalising on this love for biscuits and bagels, many consumers are returning to the traditional bakeries in search of better quality and freshness. That's why investing in a bakery franchise could be the perfect businesses opportunity for those looking to work in the food industry and dreaming of opening up their own shop.

Indeed, a bakery franchise is a great way for aspiring food entrepreneurs to own and operate their own bakery businesses without taking the extra risks associated with going it alone. Franchisees could specialise in cookies, pretzels, doughnuts, pies, cakes, bagels or artisan bread, or they could even go for a bakery and café combined. The opportunities are plentiful and there is something to suit all preferences and budgets.

One of the great things about going the franchise way is that franchisees will own the right to use a trusted and well-established brand name. Consumers trust brands that they know and so a franchise is likely to attract more initial interest than a one off bakery store.

However, franchisees should recognise that simply relying on a brand name is not the key to success. Making the business work requires lots of hard work and dedication, and making sure customers come back is as difficult in the franchise world as it is going it alone.

But franchisees will benefit from full advertising and marketing support from the parent company, as well as full training, both before and after the business start-up, therefore even those with the least business experience can find themselves able to run a successful bakery providing they are willing to put in the time and effort.

Most people who consider investing in a bakery franchise do have experience in the food industry, and while such a background is not absolutely necessary, it is nonetheless extremely helpful. Potential franchisees may want to consider working in a bakery or restaurant environment first in order to familiarise themselves with the day-to-day runnings and behind-the-scenes issues of such a business before deciding to go ahead.

Learning about food safety guidelines, health codes, workplace safety issues and other matters important to the food industry may also help franchisees to get to grips with the workings of the bakery business a lot more quickly, allowing them to concentrate on producing quality goods and making their customers happy.

Owning a bakery franchise can be a stimulating and rewarding career move, but like any investment it is not risk-free. Such a life-changing decision should not be made lightly, and potential franchisees should make sure they conduct thorough research into the levels of consumer demand and rival competition that are likely to affect their business, both positively and negatively.

For those who do their homework however, and are willing to invest not just their money but their time and effort, a bakery franchise could turn out to produce not just some tasty bread, but some rather delicious profits too.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2006

http://www.franchisedirect.com