#490
At a Glance
Products & Services: Hearth-baked breads
Number of Locations: 36
Total Investment: $238.5K - 317K
Founded: 1993
Began Franchising: 1993
Private Owned
About Breadsmith
While studying in Norway, college student Dan Sterling got his first taste of European bread. Sterling returned to the United States and graduated from Harvard Business School before starting his own company. But he never lost his love of bread, and after volunteering to help a local bakery with its accounting, he decided to launch a bakery of his own. He opened the first Breadsmith location in 1993, and the company began franchising in 1994.Franchise Units
| Year | U.S. | Canadian | International | Company Owned |
| 2011 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.
Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing
Total Investment: $238,500 - $317,000
Franchise Fee: $30,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 7-5%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Franchise Fee: $30,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 7-5%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $500,000
Liquid Cash Available: $100,000
Operations
10% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators).How This Franchise Supports Franchisees
Training: Available at headquarters: 3 weeks. At franchisee's location: 2 weeks.
Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations,
Marketing Support: Co-op advertising, Ad slicks,
Other marketing support: Posters, POP, outline for annual promotions
Franchise Ranking History
Franchise 500®: #490 (2012),