

As part of the Focus Brands family, which includes well-known franchises such as Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Cinnabon, Carvel, and McAlister’s Deli, Schlotzsky’s Bakery Café is a significant player in the American fast-casual dining industry. Renowned for being the originator of the Original® oven-baked sandwich, Schlotzsky’s has built a strong reputation.
Schlotzsky’s Bakery Café was established in 1971 by Don and Dolores Dissman, opening its first location in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas.
The restaurant chain boasts an array of made-to-order menu items, including artisanal pizzas, expertly prepared sandwiches, refreshing salads, indulgent calzones, robust soups, and a variety of delightful food and drink options to suit a wide range of tastes.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Schlotzsky’s Bakery Café started franchising in 1976 and has since grown to over 330 locations across the United States, continually expanding its reach and concept.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Schlotzsky’s offers 3 types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Schlotzsky’s franchised Freestanding Restaurant. For more information on costs required to start a Schlotzsky’s franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Schlotzsky’s offers 3 types of franchises:
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Schlotzsky’s franchised Freestanding Restaurant. For more information on costs required to start a Schlotzsky’s franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Before launching a Schlotzsky’s restaurant, franchisees participate in a comprehensive training program. This program encompasses all critical elements of restaurant management, including operational procedures, customer service excellence, and marketing tactics.
The training aims to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge to run their businesses successfully.
Beyond the initial training, Schlotzsky’s emphasizes the value of ongoing education. They offer continuous support and training sessions to keep franchisees current with the latest operational methods and brand standards, ensuring long-term success and consistency across the franchise network.
Schlotzsky’s Bakery Café does not offer franchisees an exclusive territory. However, franchisees are granted a territory with specific protected rights, referred to as an "Area of Protection."
Franchisees are authorized to operate their restaurant solely at an approved location.
If the restaurant location is not approved when the Franchise Agreement is signed, the franchisee must choose a site that meets Schlotzsky’s site selection criteria within a designated site selection area. This area is determined individually for each franchisee. It is important to note that franchisees do not have exclusive or protected rights within this site selection area.
Below are some of
Schlotzsky’s Bakery Café
key competitors in the
Baked Goods
sector.

280
$35,000
$648,000
$1,951,000
n.a.
$1,045,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.

Al Manakeesh is a Middle Eastern bakery-restaurant brand offering manakeesh flatbreads, shawarma, and Lebanese specialties, serving neighborhood diners and families, and known for freshly baked dough, traditional flavors, and casual, counter-service settings that highlight Levantine comfort food.
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Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant is a quick‐service franchise offering Caribbean-style patties, rotis, rice dishes and meals, serving diaspora communities and casual diners, and known for signature flavors, cultural brand heritage and growing franchise network.
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MidnighTreats is a late-night food-truck or small-format franchise offering waffles, desserts and sweet-snacks on-demand, serving late-night crowds, event patrons, and dessert lovers, and known for mobile flexibility, viral menu appeal and lean startup model.
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Schmackary’s is a gourmet cookie-and‐dessert franchise offering handmade cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and specialty treats, serving dessert lovers and gift buyers, and known for bold flavors, urban brand presence and experiential retail-tainment.
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BAGEL BOSS is a bagel-and-deli franchise offering New York–style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli items and coffee, serving morning commuters and families, and known for authentic bagel craft, strong local presence and franchise scalability.
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House of Bread is a bakery-café franchise offering freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and café meals, serving families and casual diners, and known for hand-crafted baking, community-driven brand and multi-stream revenue.
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