Baked goods franchises operate in a high-frequency foodservice segment driven by repeat visits, brand familiarity, and impulse purchasing.
hese concepts range from specialty bakeries to national café brands, with performance shaped by unit economics, system scale, and long-term expansion momentum.
Below are the top 10 baked goods franchises in the market today, highlighting the brands that best combine scale, efficient payback, and sustainable growth.
Each franchise is evaluated using a balanced scoring model that weighs five core factors equally. The goal is to highlight brands that combine financial performance, operational maturity, and accessible investment levels. Scores are calculated as follows:
The final score out of 10 is calculated using this weighting model, ensuring the ranking highlights franchises that combine strong unit-level economics with system stability and consistent expansion.
?
?
?

Dunkin' Donuts is a popular coffee and donut franchise, offering a wide range of coffee drinks, baked goods, and breakfast options, providing a convenient and satisfying choice for coffee and donut lovers.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$1,240,000
?
n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Dunkin’ operates a global coffee and baked goods franchise offering donuts, beverages, and breakfast items.
Its ranking is driven by unmatched system scale, consistent demand, and stable unit economics.

Bakery franchise known for its handcrafted bundt cakes in a variety of flavors, sizes, and designs, providing delicious and visually appealing cakes for special occasions and everyday indulgence.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$1,355,000
?
21.4%
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Nothing Bundt Cakes is a specialty bakery franchise focused on premium bundt cakes for celebrations and gifting.
Its ranking reflects strong unit economics paired with rapid national expansion.

Pretzel bakery franchise offering freshly baked pretzels, pretzel dogs, and other pretzel-based snacks, providing a tasty and satisfying treat.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$727,000
?
16.5%
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Wetzel’s Pretzels is a snack-focused bakery franchise specializing in soft pretzels and grab-and-go items.
Its ranking reflects strong unit economics and healthy expansion momentum.

Great American Cookies is a cookie and dessert franchise that offers a wide assortment of freshly baked cookies, brownies, and cookie cakes, providing delicious and indulgent treats for all occasions.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$525,000
?
n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Great American Cookies operates mall-based and inline cookie bakeries offering freshly baked cookies and desserts.
Its ranking benefits from efficient economics and broad system scale.

Auntie Anne's is a pretzel franchise that offers a variety of freshly baked pretzels, pretzel bites, and dips, providing a delicious and savory snack option for pretzel lovers.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$832,000
?
n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Auntie Anne’s is a mall-based pretzel bakery franchise offering soft pretzels and snacks.
Its ranking is supported by scale and steady economics.

Cinnabon is a bakery franchise known for its cinnamon rolls.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$491,000
?
n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Cinnabon is a dessert bakery franchise known for cinnamon rolls and indulgent baked goods.
Its ranking reflects massive brand scale balanced against higher capital requirements.

Einstein Bros. Bagels is a bagel and coffee franchise that offers a wide selection of freshly baked bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee drinks, providing a satisfying and convenient breakfast option.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$1,086,000
?
n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Einstein Bros. Bagels is a bakery-café franchise offering bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee.
Its ranking reflects solid economics within a smaller, stabilized system.

Tous les Jours is a bakery cafe chain offering a wide variety of freshly baked goods, including bread, pastries, cakes, and sandwiches, providing a delightful and satisfying experience for customers.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$1,727,000
?
n.a.
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Tous Les Jours is a Korean-style bakery café franchise offering breads, pastries, and desserts.
Its ranking benefits from strong growth momentum despite higher investment levels.

Shipley Do-Nuts is a franchise offering a variety of freshly made donuts, kolaches, and coffee, known for its delicious baked goods and friendly service.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$849,000
?
11.5%
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Shipley Do-Nuts is a regional bakery franchise specializing in donuts and kolaches.
Its ranking reflects consistent demand and a growing regional footprint.

Bakery-cafe franchise offering a menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and bakery items made with fresh and wholesome ingredients, emphasizing healthier and quality food choices.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
$2,596,000
?
12.1%
What WE LIKE
Here's the rationale for our score
Panera Bread operates bakery-cafés offering breads, pastries, and fresh meals.
Its ranking reflects brand dominance and scale offset by capital intensity.