Established
2015
Franchise Units
9
Minimum Investment
$180,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$350,000
Home Based
No
Description
Mecatos Bakery & Café is a fast-growing Latin bakery and café franchise that blends authentic Colombian flavors with a modern, welcoming café experience. Known for its fresh-baked pastries, specialty breads, empanadas, savory snacks, premium coffee, and desserts, Mecatos has carved out a strong niche in the competitive café and bakery segment across the United States.
What sets Mecatos Bakery & Café apart is its ability to deliver authentic Latin taste with scalable, franchise-ready systems. The brand appeals to a broad customer base—Latin communities seeking familiar flavors, coffee lovers looking for something different, families, students, and professionals—all drawn to its warm atmosphere and high-quality menu offerings. With attractive store design, efficient operations, and strong unit economics, Mecatos has positioned itself as a compelling opportunity in the bakery-café franchise category.
As demand for ethnic and specialty food concepts continues to rise in the U.S., Mecatos Bakery & Café benefits from powerful cultural relevance, repeat customer traffic, and strong average ticket values. Its flexible footprint allows it to perform well in urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, shopping plazas, and mixed-use developments, making it a versatile and scalable franchise investment.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in a Mecatos Bakery & Café franchise means entering a proven, high-demand food category backed by a recognizable brand and a loyal customer following.
Key reasons investors choose Mecatos include:
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Growing demand for Latin bakery concepts in the U.S. market
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Diverse menu that drives all-day traffic—breakfast, lunch, snacks, and coffee
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Strong brand identity rooted in authenticity and quality
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Repeat business model supported by daily fresh baking and café culture
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Streamlined operations designed for franchise scalability
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Attractive unit economics with multiple revenue streams
Background
Established Year: Mecatos Bakery & Café was founded in 2015.
Founders: The brand was established by Paola Velásquez and Felipe Montoya, entrepreneurs driven by a vision to introduce authentic Colombian bakery flavors and café culture to the U.S. market in a modern, scalable format.
Brand Journey & Company History: Mecatos Bakery & Café began as a neighborhood bakery café rooted in Colombian culinary traditions, offering freshly baked pastries, breads, savory items, and premium coffee inspired by Latin café culture. The original concept quickly gained traction due to its distinctive flavors, welcoming atmosphere, and consistent quality.
As customer demand grew, the founders refined operations, standardized recipes, and developed efficient systems that allowed the brand to scale while preserving authenticity. This evolution led to the launch of Mecatos as a franchise-ready concept, designed to support long-term growth across diverse U.S. markets.
Franchise Active Units: Mecatos Bakery & Café currently operates approximately 9 active units, primarily concentrated in Florida, serving as a strong operational base for national expansion.
Ownership & Franchise Model: Mecatos operates under a franchise business model supported by centralized training, brand standards, operational systems, and marketing guidance. The company focuses on sustainable growth by partnering with franchisees who are committed to quality, consistency, and community engagement.
Market Presence in the USA: The brand has established a loyal customer following in its core markets and continues to attract attention as interest in Latin bakery and café concepts rises across the United States. Mecatos locations perform well in urban and suburban settings with strong foot traffic and diverse demographics.
Industry Category:
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Bakery Franchise
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Café Franchise
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Latin / Ethnic Food Franchise
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Coffee & Dessert Franchise
Support Training
Mecatos Bakery & Café offers comprehensive franchise support designed to help franchisees launch, operate, and scale their business with confidence.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection and location analysis
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Store layout and design guidance
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Equipment specifications and vendor sourcing
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Assistance with permits and pre-opening planning
Training Programs
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In-depth initial training covering baking procedures, food preparation, and quality control
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Point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management training
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Customer service and staff management training
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Food safety, hygiene, and operational compliance
Operational Support
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Standardized recipes and baking systems
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Supply chain and approved vendor access
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Operations manuals and SOPs
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Ongoing field support and performance reviews
Marketing & Branding Support
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Brand-approved marketing materials
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Local store opening marketing strategies
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Social media and digital marketing guidance
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Promotional campaigns and seasonal menu support
Ongoing Support
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Continuous training updates
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New product development
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Business coaching and operational optimization
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Franchisee network collaboration and best-practice sharing
Ideal Candidate
Mecatos Bakery & Café is well-suited for both first-time business owners and experienced multi-unit operators.
Ideal Candidates Include:
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Entrepreneurs passionate about food, coffee, and hospitality
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Investors seeking a hands-on or semi-absentee business model
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Individuals with restaurant, bakery, or retail experience (preferred but not required)
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Strong people managers with customer-service focus
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Candidates with sufficient capital and long-term growth mindset
Personal Traits & Skills
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Commitment to brand standards and quality
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Willingness to follow proven systems
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Strong leadership and team-building abilities
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Interest in community-focused businesses
Location Preferences
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Urban and suburban trade areas
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High-foot-traffic retail plazas
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Mixed-use developments and community hubs
Financial Detail
| Financial Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $180,000 – $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$180,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
| Build-Out & Infrastructure Cost | $90,000 – $180,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~6% of gross sales |
| Marketing / Brand Fund Fee | ~2% of gross sales |
| Expected ROI | Attractive potential (location & operations dependent) |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 months |
| Franchise Units | Single-unit & multi-unit opportunities available |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Bakery items, coffee & beverages, savory foods, desserts, catering |