Do you want to start a cake shop business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 17 best cake shop franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. Dessert is a huge industry in the United States. According to Gigi’s Cupcakes, one of the largest and fastest growing bakery franchises in the U.S., a whopping 99% of Americans eat dessert, and 70% of Americans eat dessert at least once a week.
Yet another thing that pushes the cake industry is that there are always celebrations going on and cakes are always the center of attraction. For that reason, events like weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, mitzvahs and other special occasions are always propellers of the cake industry.
It is worthy to note that most cake shops not only bake and sell cakes, they can also add up other bakery products like pies, pretzels, donuts, croissants, etc. to maximize profit and space. It should also be noted that some ice cream shops also add cakes to their offering, and an example of this is coldstone creamery.
If you want to start a cake shop without necessarily opening your own business and starting from the scratch, you can as well buy the franchise of an established cake and bake shop. Here are a few cake shops that offer franchises in the United States.
17 Best Cake Shop Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost
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Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nothing Bundt Cakes started out when a couple of friends started baking Bundt cakes for friends and family with only the freshest ingredients. The concept quickly caught on as a viable business concept worthy of franchising. The key here is that the chain is filling a unique niche and offering a luxury product at an affordable price tag.
Many are surprised this is a franchise because of the “mom and pop” feel with personalized service established at each location. On the menu of this company are 8-inch Bundt cakes, 10-inch Bundt cakes, tiered Bundt cakes, miniature “Bundtlets,” Bundtlet towers, and bite-sized “Bundtins” in nine signature flavors, along with the occasional new flavor.
Nothing Bundt Cakes are made fresh every day with the best ingredients to make for a delicious, deluxe dessert experience. The cakes retail in single serving sizes (aka Bundtlets), as well as larger cakes designed to cater to birthday and anniversary parties.
Large custom orders are also accommodated. Nothing Bundt Cakes’s flavors include Red Velvet, Carrot, Lemon, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, White White Chocolate, Cinnamon Swirl, White Chocolate Raspberry, Pecan Praline, Marble, and a special flavor of the month.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $392,875 – $545,475
- Net-worth Requirement – $600,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $30,000 – $30,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 4%
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Gigi’s Cupcakes
Gigi’s Cupcakes is a bakery that specializes in delicious cupcakes. The company’s desserts are baked with fresh ingredients each morning. Gigi’s Cupcakes changes its menu each day so customers can discover new, exciting flavors on a regular basis.
These flavors, by the way, are anything but ordinary everyday flavours. Some of the more unique tasty treats include Lemon Poppy Seed, Merry Margarita, S’mores, White Midnight Magic, Hunka Chunka Banana Love, Hot Fudge Sundae, Kentucky Bourbon Pie, and Champagne.
Gigi’s Cupcakes builds on the growing cupcake craze with a huge variety of cupcakes topped with its signature swirl of frosting and other toppings. In addition to cupcakes, the menu includes cheesecake and gluten-friendly options. Gourmet cupcakes have been a rapidly growing segment in the baked goods industry because demand is strong. Cupcakes are much more flexible and easier to handle and serve or take on-the-go than full cakes.
Founded in 2007 and franchising since 2008, the chain received a big boost when it was featured on the television program Undercover Boss in 2015. The number of locations, however, has declined from 95 last year to the current total of 86, of which nine are company-owned and all of which are located in the U.S.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $226,700 – $425,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2.5%
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Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery
Jeff Martin founded the wildly popular Smallcakes Cupcakery that bakes and frosts 18 signature flavors every morning, fresh from scratch. Smallcakes features seasonal and special flavors created by the boss.
After appearances on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” seasons one, two, and seven as well as on the hit daytime talk show “The View,” Smallcakes became well known and in hot demand in neighborhoods across the nation. Even celebrities have had Smallcakes at their events and weddings. USA TODAY listed Smallcakes as one of the Top Ten Cupcake Places to try in the country.
Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery is one of the most talked about companies in the world today. The company started way back in 2008 selling awesome cupcakes, and they have grown from their original location in Overland Park, KS to over 200 stores worldwide. Their stores sell thousands of cupcakes every day and now they have launched their cupcake infused ice cream.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $70,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $30,000
- Total Investment – $70,000 – $120,000
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Cold Stone Creamery®
Cold Stone Creamery is a super premium, artisanal ice cream, yogurt, sorbet, and cake franchise where ice cream is made fresh in-store and presented on the famous frozen granite stone by cheerful, singing crew members. Part of the Kahala family of brands, Cold Stone is enjoyed in over 1,000 locations in the U.S. and nearly 30 countries. This franchise is ideal for those seeking a joyful, positive business and brand with international recognition.
Donald and Susan Sutherland opened the first Cold Stone Creamery in 1988 in Tempe, Arizona. Franchising began in 1994, and the company is now owned by Kahala, which also franchises Blimpie, Surf City Squeeze, TacoTime and other concepts. Each Cold Stone store makes its ice cream fresh daily, and the ice cream is blended by hand with fruits, nuts, candy, cookies and more according to customers’ requests.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $50,200 – $467,525
- Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $10,000 – $27,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 3%
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Decadent, A Coffee and Dessert Bar
Decadent stores offer a relaxing and inviting atmosphere with high-end amazing desserts that are hard to find outside of stuffy restaurants. The coffee is roasted in small batches and they only use 100% Arabica beans. The desserts and pastries include seasonal fresh fruit danish, chocolate croissants, handcrafted donuts, cheesecakes, the very popular skillet cookie, and much more.
Decadent, A Coffee and Dessert Bar, is leading a trend of fast casual dessert shops; they have been in the dessert business for over 15 years. They work as a team with franchisees; franchisees don’t have to pay high royalties and marketing fees that take away from their bottom line. Decadent’s goal is for franchisees to enjoy the returns from their investment while receiving the benefits of being part of The Sweet Brands International Family.
Financial Requirements
- Franchise Fee: $30,000
- Minimum Cash Required: $100,000
- Total Investment Range: $80,000 – $130,000
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Magnolia Bakery
In 1996, Magnolia Bakery opened its first location on a quiet street corner in the heart of New York City’s West Village. From its inception, Magnolia Bakery has been cherished for its classic American baked goods, vintage decor and warm, inviting atmosphere.
The company has also started to offer nationwide shipping for a variety of products, including freshly baked cupcakes, cookies, brownies and bars, as well as corporate gift packages and seasonal assortments.
Magnolia Bakery is seeking experienced multi-unit franchisees to acquire and develop select locations and in cities around the world in shopping districts, airports, colleges and more. The company has agreed to negotiate development agreements starting at a minimum of three locations.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Investment: $30,000 – $70,000
- Total Investments: $214,000
- Royalty Fee Rate: 3%
7. Buttercup Bake Shop
Buttercup Bake Shop is a store that sells high quality dessert products. Although cupcakes are easily the bake shop’s signature item, the shop also sells other types of cakes (available in many different flavors, layers, and frostings), cheesecakes, pies, puddings, bars and squares.
Wearable, branded merchandise is also available. Customers can place orders online in advance for pickup or delivery within a specified region in Manhattan. Buttercup Bake Shop’s creator says, “Buttercup Bake Shop lets you slow down and wile away an afternoon sipping your favorite beverage and enjoying some delectable, nostalgic treats that spell comfort and love.”
Clinical psychologist Jennifer Appel could not ignore her culinary instincts. After work, she would bake to relax. She, after a while, decided to switch her career fully to baking. First, Appel opened Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village with a partner to sell a variety of desserts. Three years later, Appel decided to found a business of her own in Manhattan: Buttercup Bake Shop.
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Golden Krust Franchising Inc.
Inspired by Hawthorne & Son’s Bakery, started by his parents in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Lowell Hawthorne, his wife Lorna and four siblings and their spouses pooled their resources in 1989 to open the first Golden Krust in Bronx, New York.
By 1996, they had 17 restaurants, all in New York City, and decided to expand further through franchising. Today the company has locations throughout the Northeast and Southeast, all serving its Jamaican and Caribbean meals. Golden Krust products are also sold in supermarkets, hospitals, schools, correctional institutions and other retail outlets.
Based in the borough of the Bronx in New York City, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery, Inc., operates a chain of company-owned and franchised Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery restaurants. All told, there are some 75 units located in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Florida.
Their baked goods include coconut cake, sponge cake, spice bun, Antiguan bread, gizzarda, fruit cake, and tuti fruiti. Golden Krust is owned and operated by the Hawthorne family.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $225,900 – $687,000
- Net-worth Requirement – $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $200,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $40,000 – $40,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 3%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2.5%
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Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Cafe
When Jerry Puiia moved from New York to Connecticut, he knew something wasn’t right–there were no bagel shops. With the help of his brother Joe, Puiia opened The Bagel Stop in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1990. When the company began franchising in 1992, its name changed to Between Rounds.
Between Rounds shops combine a bagel shop and a catering service with two of the most profitable sections in a supermarket–the deli and the bakery.
Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Cafe offers in-house financing to cover just the franchise fee, and the company has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs and equipment.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $124,500 – $438,000
- Net-worth Requirement – $100,000 – $500,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $50,000 – $200,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $22,500 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5-7%
- Ad Royalty Fee – to 2%
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Yummy Cupcakes
Yummy Cupcakes was founded by Executive Chef Tiffini Soforenko with the idea that cupcakes could be enjoyed more often than just on special occasions, could be created in gourmet-style, and could be offered in a wide variety of flavors. In March 2004, Tiffini joined forces with husband Nik and mother Brogan, she left the corporate world and together they created Yummy Cupcakes.
Back then, no one had ever heard of a “cupcake only” bakery, let alone ever visited one. Tiffini, Nik and Brogan introduced Yummy Cupcakes to the world based on a simple premise: be passionate about creating exceptional product, be passionate about guest services, and be passionate about doing things right.
Now, with more than seven years experience operating Yummy Cupcakes, they have developed a solid and successful business model for both Yummy Cupcakes, bakeshop owners and Yummy Cupcakes customers. This, combined with their corporate experience in business operations, guest service, franchise operations and marketing, is making them seek qualified people to join them in taking Yummy Cupcakes to the world.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $185,679 – $325,665
- Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
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House of Cupcakes
House Of Cupcakes was founded in Princeton, NJ in 2008 by Ron and Ruthie Bzdewka, winners of season two of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars.
House Of Cupcakes sells over 38 varieties of its delicious, award-winning cupcakes, as well as its mini cupcakes, pushpops, cake-pops, and gourmet cookies and brownies. House Of Cupcakes is proud to make products that encourage people to celebrate the most important occasions of their lives.
Founder of Party City, and co-founder of House Of Cupcakes franchising company, Steve Mandell was responsible for Party City’s expansion to more than 400 stores nationwide. Recognized as an expert in franchising, he was named by Ernst and Young as “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1996.
His belief, as Managing Partner, is that House of Cupcakes has the winning recipe for franchise success. He and the Bzdewka’s have partnered to develop House of Cupcakes into a national franchise.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $259,250 – $271,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $300,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Cupcake Charlie’s
Cupcake Charlie’s is a “dream-come-true” business that was first opened in the Summer of 2008 on Cape Cod. The founders of this business had initially been in the housing market before the industry took a turn for the worse, and the duo started looking for another opportunity to reinvent themselves. Following their dreams of baking quality products, the partners decided to open their own bakery business.
To be a successful Cupcake Charlie’s franchisee, you should have an affinity for baking, a passion for business ownership, a need to succeed, and of course, a love for spreading happiness with delicious, sweet treats. Business or management experience will certainly be beneficial when owning and running a Cupcake Charlie’s franchise business, but is not a requirement for ownership.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $199,250 – $413,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
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Wicked Good Cupcakes
Wicked Good Cupcakes has gone from a mother and daughter baking cupcakes in their kitchen to one of the largest cupcake brands in the world. Their signature cupcakes baked in jars have captured the heart of America. Since appearing on Shark Tank, Wicked Good Cupcakes has shipped over 1 million cupcake jars to satisfied customers all over the country.
Now you can become part of America’s favorite Mother/Daughter team. They are offering low-cost, cupcake truck franchises featuring their signature cupcake in jars.
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Pinkabella
Pinkabella began like a childhood obsession and it transformed in the future into a big business. When Bella was in college, she would go home, bake some treats and take it back to school and have her own private parties. Much later in her life, the parties evolved to quite a larger scale to include throwing wedding and baby showers for friends, large Christmas parties and many birthday parties. Those were the things that inspired her to start her cupcake business.
Pinkabella was founded 2009 and it started franchising in 2015. Their headquarters is at 7330 164th Ave. N.E., #E230 Redmond, WA 98052, and the current CEO of the company is Margo Engberg. The company is seeking new franchisees throughout the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $97,260 – $189,100
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 3-5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
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Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop
Founded by Mimi and Delaney Council as an organic bakery that specializes in cookies and cakes, Mimi and crew opened their bakery in Mammoth Lakes in September 2011.
Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop is a full service bakery that offers cookies, pies, cakes, cupcakes, wedding catering and all things dessert related. Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop is owned and operated by Mimi and Delaney Council, Kimmy and Chris Benchetler and Thea and Matt Zobel.
Upon moving back to Mammoth, Mimi met up with old friends Kimmy and Chris. They were catching up and one thing led to another. Kimmy and Chris both have a sweet tooth and loved Mimi’s organic and eco friendly approach to desserts. A week later Kimmy Fasani, and husband Chris Benchetler, invested in Dessert’D and bought the franchise.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $257,000 – $446,550
- Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
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Woops!
Woops! is a vibrant macaron and in-line bakeshop franchise that shares authentic international treats, cakes, sweets, sandwiches and coffee with the American public. With a low initial investment, the Woops! in-line bakeshop or macaroon kiosk franchise is a chance to bring a little taste of Europe to your community.
Whether it is a bright, colorful mall kiosk or warm, inviting bakeshop, a Woops! franchise location makes a statement in the community from its very first day. That is why so much time and attention has been dedicated to creating a thorough, easy to follow training procedure for new owners.
Woops! offers in-house financing to cover just their equipment, and the company has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, inventory and accounts receivable.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $79,875 – $365,675
- Net-worth Requirement – $200,000 – $400,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $50,000 – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 4%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
17. Million Snacks
Million Snacks is a snack shop that offers cakes including other healthy snacks. This bake shop offers consumers an alternative to the typical junk food fare found at other snack retailers.
Million Snacks offerings feature non-buttery, melt-in-your-mouth Biscacho Pretzels with 0 grams of trans fat, along with other baked goods, healthy beverages and smoothies, freshly roasted nuts, gourmet quality cookies, healthy energy drinks, and more. Million Snacks also features a proprietary system of freezer-to-oven technology used for many of its food items.
For franchisees, the Million Snacks franchise system offers multiple models of operation, plus franchise fees and operating costs that are unheard of in the industry, making this the perfect system for the Average Joe franchisee. Million Snacks has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and payroll.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $109,050 – $302,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $2,000 – $2,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%