Established
1997
Franchise Units
50
Minimum Investment
$1,100,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$2,000,000
Home Based
No
Description
Kneaders Bakery & Café has become one of America’s most recognizable neighborhood bakery-café brands, celebrated for its artisan breads, scratch-made pastries, hearty sandwiches, and warm hospitality rooted in true craft baking. The concept stands out in a crowded fast-casual segment because it blends small-batch European-style baking with a modern café environment. Every loaf of bread is made fresh daily using high-quality ingredients, and the brand’s commitment to on-premise production gives each location the authenticity and aroma customers crave.
For franchise investors, Kneaders offers a proven, multi-day-part revenue model—breakfast, lunch, bakery sales, catering, and specialty beverages—making it a highly attractive foodservice investment. Its consistent performance in suburban markets, family-friendly communities, and growing commercial centers has created loyal customer bases throughout the Western and Southwestern United States. With a reputation built on craftsmanship, honest food, personal service, and community involvement, Kneaders Bakery & Café continues to represent one of the most compelling bakery-café opportunities in the U.S.
Why Invest in the Kneaders Bakery & Café Franchise?
Kneaders is more than a bakery—it is an all-day café experience that balances quality, speed, and comfort. Investors appreciate the brand’s strong identity, recognizable product quality, and the emotional connection it has built with families, working professionals, and weekend crowds. A Kneaders franchise attracts a broad demographic, helping each unit maintain strong daily traffic.
Kneaders’ vertically integrated processes, artisan standards, and strong menu variety help franchise owners compete effectively in the fast-casual and bakery-café categories. The brand also benefits from steady catering demand, seasonal menu promotions, strong digital ordering systems, and a well-established supply chain designed to support multi-unit growth.
For savvy operators looking for a business with high guest loyalty, repeatable operations, and a brand story rooted in craftsmanship and quality, Kneaders offers long-term stability and strong growth potential.
Background
Established Year: 1997
Founded By: Gary and Colleen Worthington
Brand Journey:
The Kneaders story began in Orem, Utah, when Gary and Colleen Worthington opened their first European-style bakery specializing in hearth-baked artisan bread. Early success came from their dedication to scratch cooking, fresh ingredients, and a menu designed around quality rather than shortcuts. As the café expanded its offering to soups, salads, pastries, sandwiches, and family-friendly meals, demand grew rapidly.
Kneaders expanded across Utah and surrounding states, evolving into a respected regional franchise known for its bakery expertise and elevated fast-casual menu. Over the years, the brand strengthened its structure, streamlined its franchise systems, and invested heavily in supply chain consistency and operational support. Today, Kneaders Bakery & Café operates dozens of locations throughout the Western U.S. and continues expanding into high-growth suburban markets.
Franchise Active Units (Current): Approximately 50+ locations across the United States.
Ownership: Privately held with structured franchise programs supporting regional growth.
Market Presence: Strong footprint in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and parts of the Southwest and Mountain West.
Industry Category: Fast-Casual Restaurant, Bakery-Café, Artisan Bakery, Quick-Service Dining.
Support Training
Kneaders invests heavily in training, ensuring new franchise owners feel confident and fully prepared before opening their café. The support structure includes:
Pre-Launch Support
• Guidance on site selection, demographic analysis, and market research
• Assistance with store design, layout, and construction planning
• Access to approved equipment, bakery fixtures, and vendor relationships
• Complete operational manuals for baking, café service, staffing, and brand standards
Operational Training
• Comprehensive multi-week training at an established Kneaders store
• Hands-on instruction in artisan baking, food prep, café management, and daily operations
• POS training, inventory management, food safety, and quality assurance standards
• Hiring and workforce planning assistance to help franchisees build strong teams
Marketing & Brand Support
• Professionally developed marketing campaigns for grand opening
• Ongoing national and regional marketing programs
• Digital support including online ordering, mobile presence, social platforms, and CRM-driven customer engagement
• Seasonal product promotions and catered event marketing strategies
Ongoing Franchisee Support
• Field operations managers who provide performance reviews and operational improvements
• Continuous training modules and updated SOPs
• Access to national supply chain agreements with negotiated pricing
• Support with sales growth, product mix optimization, and customer experience improvements
Ideal Candidate
Kneaders is best suited for entrepreneurs who value hospitality, operational excellence, and community-centered leadership. The ideal franchise candidate is:
• Someone with prior retail, hospitality, or foodservice management experience
• Passionate about scratch-made food, customer service, and building long-term guest relationships
• Comfortable leading teams in a high-volume, multi-daypart environment
• Financially capable of multi-unit development, with strong operational discipline
• Interested in developing locations in suburban communities, high-traffic commercial areas, or emerging growth corridors
• A hands-on operator committed to maintaining Kneaders’ quality, cleanliness, and consistency
• Willing to participate actively in local events, community programs, and brand-building opportunities
A Kneaders franchise appeals both to single-unit operators looking to build a strong local business and multi-unit investors aiming for a portfolio anchored by a stable, food-centric brand.
Financial Detail
| Category | Estimated Cost / Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Range | $1,100,000 – $2,000,000+ |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $1,000,000+ recommended |
| Net Worth Requirement | $1.5M – $2.5M+ (varies by market) |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 – $50,000 |
| Buildout & Construction Costs | $650,000 – $1,200,000 depending on site size & market |
| Bakery & Café Equipment | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Signage (FF&E) | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Pre-Opening Training & Travel | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Working Capital (First 3 Months) | $75,000 – $150,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% – 2% of sales |
| Average Store Size | 3,000 – 4,500 sq ft |
| Expected Break-Even Period | 12 – 24 months |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Bakery, café menu, beverages, catering, holiday sales, group orders |