Corner Bakery Cafe: Elevating Fast-Casual Dining with Fresh, Artisan-Inspired Fare

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. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, marketing assistance, and ongoing operational guidance.

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.

The brand also offers a best-in-class catering platform, providing convenient solutions for gatherings of any size. With a focus on fresh ingredients and a neighborhood cafe atmosphere, Corner Bakery Cafe continues to stand out in the competitive fast-casual dining segment.

Training

Corner Bakery Café offers a structured and multifaceted training system to prepare franchisees and their teams for successful operations:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Additional Training: The franchisor may require ongoing in-person or eLearning programs. Franchisees may be charged tuition fees for these additional training sessions.

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.