As anyone who’s ever tried to start a pastry business from scratch can tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart. Between having to handle marketing, customer service, inventory and, of course, the actual baking of the pastries you’re going to sell, it can be tough to launch a French pastry business in America.
That is, of course, unless you’re talking about opening up a Le Macaron French Pastries franchise! Entrepreneurs with a sweet dream to satisfy their community’s sweet tooth are able to achieve their goal of opening an authentic French pastry and macaron franchise location without a number of the typical headaches and setbacks that can come with being in the baked-goods business.
Our simple, scalable model not only allows Le Macaron Franchise Owners to have the flexibility to own and operate multiple locations at a time, but it can also be owned on a semi-absentee basis for entrepreneurs who want to invest in a winning and unique concept without saying goodbye to their day jobs or home lives.
Best of all, the authentic French macarons and pastries that are beloved by our fans across America are baked in our dedicated confectionary in Sarasota then delivered fresh to each location, eliminating the need for our Franchise Owners to do so much as turn on an oven! It’s the sweet simplicity of the Le Macaron model that has been winning investors over nationwide, causing us to claim the title of America’s number one macaron franchise!
Two of our newest Franchise Owners, Emily and Jeff Gramse, chose to pursue the Le Macaron franchise opportunity for a number of personal and business reasons, including a shared passion for French food and culture and an entrepreneurial spirit. We sat down with the Gramses to learn a bit more about them and hear about their Le Macaron experience thus far.
Here’s what they had to say:
One of the best things about the Le Macaron franchise is the wide range of backgrounds our Franchise Owners come from. Can you tell us a bit about your career paths prior to discovering the Le Macaron franchise opportunity?
Emily: I have a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology and am a Senior Regional Director of Operations for a nationwide therapy company. I have years of experience in multi-site development and management in the field of physical therapy services.
Jeff: My background is in law enforcement, paramedics and most recently in marketing and business development. I work for a mental health hospital chain and provide all of their community relations, business development and internal employee retention programs as well.
It sounds like you’ve been very successful in your respective careers! Have you always wanted to be entrepreneurs? And if so, what made you decide to follow your dreams and open a Le Macaron franchise in your community?
Emily: We both work corporate jobs. We feel we have the skills and tools to do this for ourselves. We love the idea of owning a business and creating something we love to share with others. We were looking for a business opportunity, specifically a franchise. It needed to be a product that we loved. We found Le Macaron highlighted on a website of one of the fastest-growing franchises in the United States. We quickly located one, tried the products and the rest is history.
Why is Le Macaron bakery franchise the right fit for you?
Emily: We collectively have a love for all things French. From the architecture, to the landscapes, to the food and wine, we are obsessed.
Jeff: We eloped to Paris for our wedding, so we have a very personal and deep connection to all things French. We love French pastries and, of course, macarons, but are often disappointed by the taste or texture. Le Macaron by far has the best quality of any brands we have tried in the U.S. So, it actually was a no-brainer that this would become part of our lives and help develop our love of French pastries to share with others.
Was there something specific about the Le Macaron franchise opportunity that cemented your decision to invest in the concept?
Jeff: We love the structure and flexibility. The concept is great as is the product. They [the corporate team] make the setup very simple and also allow the Owners the opportunity to still make the location their own.
Emily: They made us feel like part of the family. They were welcoming and supportive. We love that this is their product and they have a passion for the quality above all else. We felt we would have the support to complete this new venture after meeting the Founders.
This might be a silly question, based on what you already told us of your love of all things French, but…how much did Le Macaron’s emphasis on quality, authentic French pastries influence your choice to franchise with them?
Jeff: It was 100% the reason we went with this franchise!
Emily: We loved the product quality, and we also loved the personal, family vibe.
Let’s talk about your Discovery Day experience at the Le Macaron pastry franchise headquarters in Sarasota. What was the thing you liked most about that?
Emily: All the TREATS!!! We were able to try all the products. We also loved the tour of the bakery as well as face-to-face time with the Owners and Founders.
One of the best things about the Le Macaron franchise opportunity is that it allows a better work-life balance than most concepts in the bakery, restaurant and hospitality industries. What are some of the things you enjoy doing in your free time?
Emily: I’m a professional IFBB bodybuilder. I love to live a healthy lifestyle that includes lifting weights, hiking, skiing, walking, biking—pretty much anything on the move. I also have a passion for interior design and staging. Travel is also an integral part of my life, as I have lived in several countries outside of the U.S.
Jeff: I’m also an avid weightlifter and love all things outdoors. I don’t miss a day at the gym. Ialso have my real estate license and have a passion for developing properties in order to sell. You will not find me sitting around—I love biking, snowboarding, exploring and traveling.
Looking ahead to your grand opening, what do you think will make you successful Le Macaron Franchise Owners?
Emily: We are very hard workers, and between the two of us have management and sales experience. I think the vibe and environment we create will enhance a customer experience that others in this market do not possess. We will ensure it is a meaningful shop and will ensure the feeling that you have when you leave is one that leaves you no other option but to return again and again.
Do you have any advice for prospective Franchise Owners who are just beginning their Discovery Process with Le Macaron?
Jeff: Do your research and know your market. Trust the owners as they have a great plan to set you up to succeed.
Finally, what are you looking forward to most about owning your own Le Macaron bakery franchise?
Emily: Having the pistachio macaron at my fingertips daily!
Turn a sweet dream into reality: Own a Le Macaron franchise!
With the experienced Le Macaron executive team backing them, not to mention a variety of macarons and other pastries being baked and shipped directly to their location under the supervision of an authentic French pastry chef, Jeff and Emily Gramse have all the ingredients they need to own and operate the successful French pastry café of their dreams!
Perhaps you’ve had a similar sweet dream to bring the authentic taste of France to your corner of the world. Opening a Le Macaron can help you achieve your goal of entrepreneurship without sacrificing important things in life like family, friends and free time. If you’d like to learn more about owning a Le Macaron bakery franchise, visit our franchise website today.
