About The French Workshop Franchise
The French Workshop is a bakery franchise offering cakes, cookies, croissants, muffins, breads, pastries, sandwiches, coffee, tea, and other food and beverage items prepared with high quality ingredients and proprietary recipes.
Franchising since 2024, the brand serves the general public and corporate clients from an inviting bakery setting.
The franchise fee is $40,000 for the first bakery and $30,000 for subsequent locations, encouraging multi unit growth.
The French Workshop Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$1.5M
Average Investment
$1.8M
Maximum Investment
$2.1M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 (first bakery), $30,000 (subsequent) | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of weekly Gross Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | Up to 3% of weekly Gross Sales (currently 1% of weekly Gross Sales) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $1,486,000 – $2,150,000 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $1.5M–$2.1M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (6% of weekly Gross Sales) and marketing fee (Up to 3% of weekly Gross Sales (currently 1% of weekly Gross Sales)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (1) | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Initial Training Fee (1) | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Real Estate/Rent – 3 months (2) | $45,000 | $105,000 |
| Lease, Utility and Security Deposits | $30,000 | $90,000 |
| Design & Architectural Fees | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements (3) | $800,000 | $1,050,000 |
| Furniture and Fixtures (4) | $120,000 | $150,000 |
| Equipment (5) | $250,000 | $350,000 |
| Smallwares | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Signage | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Point-of-Sale System (6) | $16,000 | $19,000 |
| Computer System (6) | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Professional Fees | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Business License and Permits | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Opening Inventory (7) | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| Grand Opening Advertising (8) | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Training Expenses (out-of-pocket costs for 3 people) (9) | $0 | $30,000 |
| Insurance (10) | $20,000 | $22,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 months (11) | $30,000 | $75,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $1,500 for non-controlling ownership interest or transfer of ownership; 75% of then-current franchise fee (no existing owner has controlling ownership in transferee); 50% of then-current franchise fee (existing owner has controlling ownership in transferee) |
| Renewal Fee | $5,000 |
| Technology Fee | Up to $200 per month (currently $200 per month) |
| Audit Fee | The cost of inspection or audit |
| Local Advertising | At least 2% of the Bakery’s prior month’s Gross Sales |
| Cooperative Advertising Programs | Up to 50% of the local advertising requirement |
| Initial Training for Additional Employees | $1,500 per person, plus expenses |
| Additional or Renewal Training and Assistance | $350 per trainer, per day |
| Annual National Meeting | $600 |
| Relocation | 50% of the then-current franchise fee |
| Lease Assistance Fee | $2,000 |
| Product and Service Purchases | Varies |
| Testing | The cost of inspection and testing |
| Loyalty/e-Gift | $199 per month |
| Interest on overdue amounts | Up to 4% above the prime rate of interest on the first day of each month or the maximum rate allowable by applicable law |
| Insurance | You must reimburse our costs |
| Insufficient Funds Processing Fee | $100, plus our expenses |
| Costs and Attorneys’ Fees | Will vary under circumstances |
| Brand Damages | Will vary under circumstances |
| Indemnification | Will vary under circumstances |
| Management Fee | Direct out-of-pocket costs and expenses (plus 10% of the Bakery’s Gross Sales during the time the Bakery is under our (or a third party’s) management) |
| Administrative Fee | $1,000 per day that we have the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement |
| “Mystery Shopper”/ Quality Assurance | Direct out-of-pocket costs and expenses |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | At least 4 weeks of initial training |
| Classroom Training | 47 |
| On-the-Job Training | 136 |
| Training Location | Bayside, New York training center and/or online; designated training location (for on-the-job) |
| Additional Training | Franchisor may require additional training for additional or replacement employees at a cost of $1,500 per person. Franchisor may also require or offer additional or special assistance/training during the term for $350 per trainer, per day. Annual national meetings may also be required at a current fee of $600. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected |
| Exclusive Territory | Yes |
| Territory Size | Approximately a two to three mile radius (rural/suburban) or a five block radius (urban) for traditional locations. Non-Traditional Sites consist only of the site itself. |
| Description | The franchisor determines the size and boundaries based on geographic area, population, population density, neighborhood character, location, and number of competing businesses. The franchisee may only operate the Bakery from the accepted Premises within the Territory and cannot relocate without approval. The franchisor and its affiliates retain rights to operate outside the Territory, offer similar products under different marks, sell products through alternative channels (internet, supermarkets) inside and outside the Territory, provide non-exclusive delivery/catering services inside and outside the Territory, operate dissimilar businesses under the Marks, operate at 'Non-Traditional Sites' inside and outside the Territory, and acquire other businesses. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years from the Effective Date of the Franchise Agreement |
| Renewal Term | Two (2) additional consecutive franchise terms of 5 years each |
| Renewal Fee | $5,000 |
| Renewal Conditions | Full compliance with the Franchise Agreement and System Standards, timely notice, payment of renewal fee, maintaining possession of premises or finding acceptable substitute, remodeling the Bakery to current standards, signing current Franchise Agreement and a release (if law allows). |
| Transfer Fee | $1,500 for non-controlling ownership interest; 75% of then-current franchise fee (no existing owner has controlling ownership in transferee); 50% of then-current franchise fee (existing owner has controlling ownership in transferee) |
| Transfer Conditions | Transferee must pass background/credit checks, have sufficient business experience/aptitude/financial resources, complete training, not have ownership/perform services for a Competitive Business. Franchisee must have paid all amounts due, submitted all reports, and not violated any agreement for 60 days prior to and during transfer period. Lessor and any applicable agencies must consent. Transferee must sign current franchise agreement and related documents. Franchisor must determine purchase price/payment terms won't adversely affect operation. Franchisee and transferring owners must sign general release and non-compete for 2 years. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor may terminate for various violations including material misrepresentation, failure to secure site/lease, failure to construct/open bakery on time, failure to complete training, abandonment, unauthorized transfer, felony conviction, dishonest/unethical conduct, failure to maintain insurance, illicit statements, unauthorized representations, loss of premises, unauthorized use of confidential information, health/safety/sanitation violations, failure to pay amounts due, failure to pay vendors/suppliers/taxes, understating Gross Sales, repeated defaults, assignment for benefit of creditors, insolvency, failure to comply with anti-terrorism laws, knowingly maintaining false books/records, refusing inspections/audits, or insufficient funds in EDTA. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term and for 2 years after termination/expiration, franchisee and owners (including spouses) cannot have direct or indirect interest in, perform services for, or lend money to a Competitive Business (bakery/café style restaurant featuring baked goods, or producing/manufacturing baked goods) located at the Premises, within the Territory, within a 15-mile radius of the Territory, or within a 15-mile radius of any other The French Workshop Artisan Bakery. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | If a legal entity, a Managing Owner (shareholder, member, or partner with at least 10% interest) must be appointed to oversee and supervise the Bakery. The Bakery Manager (who may be the Managing Owner) must complete initial training and provide full-time, direct, on-premises management. The Managing Owner must remain active in overseeing ongoing business activities. Franchisor must approve the Bakery Manager. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisees must purchase Menu Items and Operating Assets from the franchisor, its affiliates, and/or designated third-party suppliers. TFW Wholesale, LLC is the sole approved supplier for certain imported baked goods (manufactured by affiliate Zorbas). Xani Transport LLC is the designated supplier for shipping Menu Items and Operating Assets. MMS Merchant Services LLC is an approved supplier for payment card processing services. |
| Supply Restrictions | The franchisor has the absolute right to limit suppliers to protect trade secrets, assure quality, ensure reliable supply, achieve better terms, control Mark usage, and monitor manufacturing/packaging/processing/sale of items. The franchisor may condition the right to buy goods/services on meeting minimum standards and specifications or being acquired from approved suppliers. The franchisor may charge for evaluating new suppliers/products. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | The franchisor and its affiliates have the right to receive payments or other material consideration from suppliers based on franchisee purchases and may use these amounts without restriction. Neither the franchisor nor its affiliates received any payments directly from franchise owners or from suppliers based on franchise owner purchases during the prior fiscal year (2023). |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | We and our affiliates do not offer direct or indirect financing. Neither we nor our affiliate will guarantee your note, lease, or obligation. |
The French Workshop Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$5.0M
Median Revenue
$5.1M
Revenue Range
$4.3M – $5.7M
Sample Size
3 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
The French Workshop Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordThe French Workshop has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
The French Workshop System Growth
Total Units
4
Franchised
0
Company-Owned
4
The French Workshop currently operates 0 franchised locations and 4 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Transfers: 0 | Closures: 0
State Registrations
Registered in 15 states: CA, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Total Assets
$500K
Audited by Metwally CPA PLLC for year ending December 31.
The French Workshop Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a The French Workshop franchise ranges from $1,486,000 to $2,150,000, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $40,000 (first bakery), $30,000 (subsequent). The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
The French Workshop charges a royalty fee of 6% of weekly Gross Sales of gross sales, plus a Up to 3% of weekly Gross Sales (currently 1% of weekly Gross Sales) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the The French Workshop Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from The French Workshop to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, The French Workshop franchise owners report average revenue of $5.0M and median revenue of $5.1M. This is based on a sample of 3 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The French Workshop has been franchising since 2024. The FDD shows an investment range of $1,486,000-$2,150,000, a 6% of weekly Gross Sales royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $40,000 (first bakery), $30,000 (subsequent) and the total investment ranges from $1,486,000 to $2,150,000 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from The French Workshop and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with The French Workshop or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com