Established
1987
Franchise Units
20
Minimum Investment
$175,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$350,000
Home Based
No
Description
The My Favorite Muffin franchise represents a timeless, community-driven bakery café concept built around fresh-baked muffins, specialty coffee, and an inviting neighborhood atmosphere. Known for its wide variety of gourmet muffins, breakfast items, and grab-and-go café offerings, the brand has carved out a strong position in the U.S. bakery café segment by combining simplicity, consistency, and everyday affordability.
My Favorite Muffin appeals to a broad customer base—morning commuters, families, students, and office professionals—by delivering freshly baked products throughout the day rather than relying solely on early-morning production. This approach keeps foot traffic steady, supports impulse purchases, and drives repeat visits. With an efficient store footprint and streamlined operations, the brand fits well in high-visibility retail locations, suburban centers, college areas, and mixed-use developments.
For entrepreneurs seeking an established bakery franchise with strong brand recognition, approachable operations, and daily consumer demand, My Favorite Muffin offers a compelling entry point into the food and beverage franchising market in the United States.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in My Favorite Muffin offers several strategic advantages for franchise owners:
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Proven Bakery Café Concept – A well-recognized brand centered on fresh-baked muffins and complementary café products with mass appeal.
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Daily Demand Category – Breakfast and snack items generate repeat, habitual visits and steady cash flow.
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Simplified Menu & Operations – Focused product mix reduces waste, controls food costs, and simplifies staff training.
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Flexible Store Formats – Suitable for inline retail, end caps, and non-traditional locations such as campuses and office complexes.
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Strong Brand Loyalty – Longstanding customer recognition helps new franchisees ramp up faster in their local markets.
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Scalable Multi-Unit Potential – Ideal for owner-operators as well as investors planning regional development.
Background
My Favorite Muffin is a well-established American bakery café brand with a legacy rooted in fresh baking, simple menus, and neighborhood-focused service.
Established Year
The brand was founded in 1987 in San Diego, California.
Founders
My Favorite Muffin was founded by Frank Martinez and Gloria Martinez, who set out to create a bakery concept centered on freshly baked, gourmet muffins prepared throughout the day rather than only in early morning production cycles. This approach helped the brand stand out in the competitive bakery segment and build strong repeat traffic.
Brand Journey & Company History
What began as a single local bakery quickly gained popularity due to its consistent product quality, variety of muffin flavors, and welcoming café atmosphere. As customer demand grew, the brand expanded through franchising, allowing entrepreneurs across the United States to bring the My Favorite Muffin experience to their local communities. Over the years, the concept has evolved to include specialty coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and light café offerings while maintaining its original focus on fresh baking and operational simplicity.
Ownership & Franchise Model
My Favorite Muffin operates under an established franchising organization with experience in developing and supporting foodservice brands. The franchise model emphasizes standardized recipes, efficient store layouts, and proven operational systems designed to help franchisees manage costs and deliver consistent customer experiences.
Franchise Active Units (Current Number)
The brand currently operates approximately 20+ active franchise locations across the United States, with additional territories available for development in select markets.
Market Presence in the USA
My Favorite Muffin locations are typically found in:
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Neighborhood shopping centers
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Suburban retail plazas
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High-traffic commuter corridors
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College and mixed-use districts
These locations support strong morning, snack-time, and catering demand.
Industry Category
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Industry: Bakery Café / Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR)
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Primary Focus: Fresh-baked muffins, specialty coffee, breakfast and light café items
Support Training
My Favorite Muffin provides comprehensive franchise support designed to help owners launch smoothly and operate efficiently:
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection guidance and lease review assistance
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Store layout planning and design specifications
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Equipment recommendations and vendor sourcing
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Pre-opening marketing strategy and local launch planning
Training Program
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Initial franchisee training covering baking systems, food safety, operations, and customer service
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Hands-on in-store training prior to opening
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Management training focused on staffing, scheduling, and inventory control
Operational Support
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Proven baking systems and production schedules
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Standardized recipes and quality control procedures
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Ongoing field support and operational evaluations
Marketing & Brand Support
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National brand marketing initiatives
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Local store marketing guidance and promotions
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Digital and social media support strategies
Ongoing Support
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Continuous operational updates and menu innovation
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Access to franchise support teams for day-to-day assistance
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System-wide best practices sharing and performance benchmarks
Ideal Candidate
The ideal My Favorite Muffin franchisee is someone who values consistency, customer service, and community engagement.
Best Suited For:
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Owner-operators seeking a hands-on food business
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Multi-unit franchise investors expanding a QSR portfolio
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Hospitality or retail professionals transitioning into franchise ownership
Key Traits & Background:
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Strong people-management and leadership skills
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Commitment to food quality and brand standards
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Ability to follow proven systems and processes
Investment Capability:
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Meets the brand’s financial requirements for startup and working capital
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Comfortable managing staffing, daily operations, and local marketing
Location Preference:
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High-traffic retail corridors
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Suburban shopping centers and neighborhood plazas
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College towns and commuter-heavy areas
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
| Total Investment Range | $175,000 – $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$175,000 |
| Build-Out & Equipment | $90,000 – $180,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Signage | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~5% of gross sales |
| Brand Marketing Fee | ~2% of gross sales |
| Franchise Term | 10 years (renewable) |
| Expected Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 months |
| Estimated Annual Revenue Potential | $400,000 – $700,000+ (location-dependent) |
| ROI Potential | Moderate to strong for well-managed units |