Corner Bakery Cafe offers fast-casual dining with a menu featuring sandwiches, salads, soups, and baked goods, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
32
+
-18%
-18%
Franchise fee
?
$40,000
Investment
?
$1,090,000 - $2,335,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Corner Bakery Cafe began in 1991 as a small neighborhood bakery on a corner in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, it quickly gained popularity for its artisan breads and freshly baked sweets.
Responding to customer demand, the menu expanded to include sandwiches, soups, salads, and made-to-order scramblers. Today, the company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and operates around 100 locations across various states, including California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
In 2006, Corner Bakery Cafe began franchising, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring its fast-casual concept to new markets. The franchise model emphasizes a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, a diverse menu, and strong corporate support.
Corner Bakery Cafe differentiates itself through its commitment to quality and innovation. The menu features kitchen-crafted, artisan-inspired food made by real cooks, catering to breakfast, lunch, and dinner crowds.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Corner Bakery Cafe franchise is
$1,090,000 - $2,335,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Pre-Construction Costs
$25,000 - $144,000
Construction Costs
$450,000 - $997,000
Front of House Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
$40,000 - $89,000
Back of House Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
$208,000 - $300,000
Smallwares
$23,000 - $40,000
Technology System
$45,000 - $65,000
Catering Equipment
$35,000 - $45,000
Estimated Building Costs
$826,000 - $1,680,000
Real Property
Variable
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000 - $40,000
Grand Opening Marketing
$15,000 - $15,000
Training
$40,000 - $100,000
Inventory
$14,000 - $25,000
Security Deposits
$5,000 - $25,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$150,000 - $450,000
Estimated Opening Costs
$264,000 - $655,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$1,090,000 - $2,335,000
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Pre-Construction Costs
$25,000 - $144,000
Construction Costs
$450,000 - $997,000
Front of House Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
$40,000 - $89,000
Back of House Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
$208,000 - $300,000
Smallwares
$23,000 - $40,000
Technology System
$45,000 - $65,000
Catering Equipment
$35,000 - $45,000
Estimated Building Costs
$826,000 - $1,680,000
Real Property
Variable
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000 - $40,000
Grand Opening Marketing
$15,000 - $15,000
Training
$40,000 - $100,000
Inventory
$14,000 - $25,000
Security Deposits
$5,000 - $25,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$150,000 - $450,000
Estimated Opening Costs
$264,000 - $655,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$1,090,000 - $2,335,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Corner Bakery Cafe's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Corner Bakery Cafe had 99 total units in 2025, of which 32 were franchised-owned and 67 company-owned.
Corner Bakery Café offers a structured and multifaceted training system to prepare franchisees and their teams for successful operations:
Initial Training Program: This program is mandatory for the Controlling Principal, Operating Partner, Multi-Unit Manager, General Manager, and up to three Managers, including a Shift Supervisor if approved. It includes classroom instruction, eLearning, and in-person training at designated facilities. Duration varies by role: up to 5 weeks for Controlling Principals, 15 weeks for Operating Partners, 11 weeks for General Managers, and 10 weeks for Shift Supervisors.
Opening Assistance: For the first two cafes, an opening team of up to eight trainers is provided for a minimum of 13 days. For the third cafe, four support staff assist, and for subsequent openings, franchisees must rely on their own certified training staff unless they pay for franchisor assistance.
Replacement and Repeat Training: Employees who fail to complete training or those assuming new roles must attend the Initial Training Program and receive certification. Fees apply for substitute or repeat attendees.
Territory Protection
Corner Bakery Café provides its franchisees with a defined "Protected Area" surrounding their Franchised Location. This area, typically ranging from a quarter mile to three miles based on local demographics and density, is detailed in Appendix A of the Franchise Agreement.
As long as the franchisee remains in good standing, neither the franchisor nor its affiliates will open another Café using the Corner Bakery brand within this area.
However, this territorial protection is limited. Corner Bakery Café retains broad rights to operate or license other outlets in various non-traditional or captive venues, such as airports, stadiums, hospitals, and educational institutions, even within a Protected Area.
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