The swiftly growing fast-casual concept, Corner Bakery Cafe, extends its reach into the Northeast with two newly announced franchise agreements that will bring 15 new bakery cafe locations to the state of New York in the next six years. Franchisee and operating partner Fran DeSimone has aggressive plans to simultaneously develop the greater markets of Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, complementing Corner Bakery Cafe’s current accelerated pace of growth in key regions throughout the country.
“Our original agreement was for nine locations in Rochester and Buffalo, but the overwhelming reception from the market and enthusiasm for the brand led to an easy decision to develop an additional six locations,” says Fran DeSimone, Corner Bakery Cafe’s New York state franchisee and operating partner. “Corner Bakery Cafe offers high-quality, fresh food, a comfortable atmosphere, a fantastic catering program, and the best freshly baked sweets in the area. It is simply the most attractive investment opportunity in the bakery cafe category, offering superior unit-level economics and a unique dining experience unlike any I’ve seen in my 37 years in the industry.”
“Fran’s extensive experience in the restaurant business – specifically in the bakery cafe category – along with his plans for fast-paced expansion align well with our own ambitious development goals,” said John LaBarge, vice president of franchise business at Corner Bakery Cafe. “We are on track to more than double the Corner Bakery Cafe system in the next three to four years, and our ability to attract this caliber of franchise partner with this level of industry experience enables us to achieve our goal.”
The first New York location opened in Pittsford to an enthusiastic crowd on August 15, 2011. The second and third locations will open in Buffalo in December and early spring, respectively. DeSimone is on track to have three Corner Bakery Cafe locations open and serving guests in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse by the end of 2012. These two agreements for a total of 15 units are just two of many Corner Bakery Cafe franchise deals scheduled for completion by the end of the year, adding to the brand’s current franchise commitments, totaling more than 200 new locations.
From a small bread bakery on a corner in downtown Chicago to a national cornerstone of fast casual dining, Corner Bakery Cafe opened its first location in 1991 and now operates 121 locations across the country.
