This is our international website

Stay here Change to indiaIndia

Home > Franchise For Sale > Food & Restaurants Franchise > Great Harvest Bread Co. Opportunity

Great Harvest Bread Co. Opportunity

See Cities,
See States,
USA & CAN

Established

1976

Franchise Units

200

dollar

Minimum Investment

$200,000

dollar

Franchise Fee

$35,000

dollar

Total Investment Range

$600,000

Home Based

No

Description

Great Harvest Bread Co. is more than just a bakery—it’s a movement that celebrates handcrafted food, neighborhood spirit, and authentic entrepreneurship. Known across the United States for its signature fresh-milled whole grain bread and made-from-scratch bakery items, Great Harvest blends the warmth of small-town charm with a proven, scalable business model.

Since its beginnings, Great Harvest has stood out in the crowded bakery café market by focusing on freshness, quality, and community. Every Great Harvest bakery café mills its own wheat daily, ensuring customers enjoy the purest taste of whole grains possible. With over 200 locations nationwide, the brand has become a trusted favorite among health-conscious consumers and families who value real food made by real people.

The franchise offers entrepreneurs the rare opportunity to own a business that is both profitable and purpose-driven. Great Harvest Bread Co. invites franchisees to bring their creativity to life, operate independently within a strong network, and serve their local communities with pride.

Why Invest in this Franchise?

Investing in a Great Harvest Bread Co. franchise means aligning yourself with one of America’s most respected names in the bakery café industry. The brand has maintained steady growth for over four decades, fueled by customer loyalty and a business model designed for flexibility and freedom.

Here’s why investors are drawn to Great Harvest:

  • Trusted Legacy: With over 45 years of proven performance, Great Harvest stands as a pioneer in the fresh-milled bread movement.

  • Community-Based Ownership: Franchisees are encouraged to be hands-on, fostering personal relationships and becoming local icons in their neighborhoods.

  • Customizable Menu and Concept: Each store can adapt its menu and layout to fit the local market, offering sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and pastries that resonate with the community.

  • Strong Support Network: While owners enjoy operational independence, they benefit from continuous training, brand credibility, and national marketing resources.

  • Sustainability and Health: In an era where consumers demand transparency and healthy food, Great Harvest’s commitment to natural, fresh ingredients offers a distinct competitive edge.


Background

Founded: 1976
Founder: Pete and Laura Wakeman
Headquarters: Dillon, Montana, USA
Current Franchise Units: Over 200 nationwide

The story of Great Harvest Bread Co. began in the 1970s when founders Pete and Laura Wakeman started baking and selling fresh, whole grain bread from their home in Great Falls, Montana. Their philosophy was simple—use pure ingredients, bake from scratch daily, and connect personally with every customer. The business grew quickly, and by 1978, they began franchising, making Great Harvest one of the earliest bakery café franchises in America.

Today, the brand remains privately held and continues to uphold its original values of community, freshness, and authenticity. Great Harvest has expanded its concept from a traditional bakery model to include full café offerings such as sandwiches, salads, and coffee. This evolution has allowed the franchise to thrive in a competitive industry, appealing to both morning and lunchtime crowds while maintaining its artisanal charm.

The brand operates within the Bakery Café and Fast-Casual Dining category, a high-growth segment of the U.S. food industry valued for its premium positioning and repeat customer potential.


Support Training

Great Harvest Bread Co. is dedicated to ensuring every franchise owner succeeds. Its franchise support system is one of the most comprehensive in the foodservice sector, balancing corporate expertise with personalized guidance.

Pre-Launch Support:

  • Site Selection Assistance: Expert guidance to choose high-visibility, high-traffic locations ideal for bakery cafés.

  • Bakery Design and Build-Out: Support with layout, décor, and kitchen setup to optimize both operations and customer experience.

  • Vendor Coordination: Help with sourcing wheat, baking equipment, and essential supplies through trusted suppliers.

Initial Training:
Franchisees participate in a four-week training program at the Great Harvest University in Dillon, Montana, where they learn:

  • Bread baking and grain milling

  • Café management and customer service

  • Financial systems, POS operations, and inventory management

  • Staff hiring and training

  • Local store marketing strategies

Ongoing Support:

  • Marketing Programs: Access to national campaigns, branding materials, social media support, and community marketing ideas.

  • Operations Coaching: Regional field consultants provide ongoing visits and business reviews.

  • New Product Development: Regular updates and menu innovations to stay ahead of consumer trends.

  • Peer Network: Franchisees are part of an active owner community, sharing best practices through conferences and online groups.

The franchise’s “Freedom Franchise” model ensures that while every bakery café follows brand principles, owners retain flexibility in menu creation, pricing, and community engagement—empowering them to run a business that reflects their local market and personal style.


Ideal Candidate

Great Harvest Bread Co. seeks franchise partners who are community-oriented, passionate about wholesome food, and committed to hands-on business ownership.

Ideal candidates typically have:

  • A passion for artisan baking, healthy living, and local community involvement.

  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills to build a loyal customer base and manage a team.

  • Prior business or management experience (food industry experience is a plus but not mandatory).

  • The financial capacity to support store build-out and working capital needs.

  • A desire to create a welcoming neighborhood destination where people gather for fresh food and friendly service.

Great Harvest appeals to entrepreneurs who want to combine purpose with profit—those who want to be part of a movement that brings real food and genuine hospitality back to local main streets.

Preferred territories include suburban communities, college towns, and urban neighborhoods with high foot traffic and family-oriented demographics.


Financial Detail

Total Investment: $200,000 – $600,000 (depending on location size and build-out type)
Minimum Cash Required: $150,000
Franchise Fee: $35,000 (includes initial training and support)
Royalty Fee: Typically 7% of gross sales
Marketing Fund Contribution: 1–2% of sales for national marketing initiatives
Working Capital: $40,000 – $80,000 recommended
Equipment and Build-Out Cost: $150,000 – $300,000
Estimated ROI: 20% – 25% annually (varies by location and management)
Break-Even Point: Typically 18–24 months after opening

Revenue Streams:

  • Freshly baked breads and pastries

  • Café menu items (sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and beverages)

  • Catering and wholesale opportunities

  • Local partnerships and seasonal promotions

Franchisees benefit from multiple income channels and strong brand recognition that drive consistent foot traffic and repeat sales.


Also you may like

Garlic Knot Opportunity

$150,000

A&W Restaurants USA Franchise Opportunity

$250,000

Freshii Canada Franchise Opportunity

$170,000


This site is protected by Google reCAPTCHA

Great Harvest Bread Co. Opportunity

This site is protected by Google reCAPTCHA