Pancake Day 2019 is Nearly Here - Considered Opening a Pancake Franchise?

Pancake Day 2019

Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a traditional feast day before lent starts on Ash Wednesday. Lent refers to the 40 days that lead up to Easter, which traditionally was a time of fasting, then Shrove Tuesday was the day when Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were ‘shriven’ (absolved from their sins). People would be called to confession with a bell, which came to be known as the ‘pancake bell’ and is still rung to this day.

Shrove Tuesday is always 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date of Pancake Day changes every year, and falls between February 3rd and March 9th.

Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up fat and eggs before beginning the fast. Pancakes are a great way of using up any remaining ingredients.

A pancake is a thin, flat cake of batter, fried in a frying pan on both sides and usually rolled up with a sweet or savoury filling. Classic toppings include lemon juice, caster sugar, and golden syrup.

The pancake has been around for many years and is featured in cook books that date back to 1439. For some, the ingredients symbolise four significant points relevant to the time of year: eggs which signify creation, flour which signifies the staff of life, salt which signifies wholesomeness and milk which signifies purity.

Pancakes aren’t just for Shrove Tuesday – they’re a treat many of us like to enjoy all year round. From crêpes to waffles, we enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, snacks and indulgent desserts. For aspiring business owners, that means there is a huge opportunity to establish cafes that specialise in these sweet treats.

Read more:

• Crêperies- What UK Franchises Are There?
• Crêpes London: What Franchises Are There?

When is Pancake Day?

This year, pancake day is Tuesday 5th of March.

Pancake Franchises

There a number of different pancake and crêpe stores in the UK, many of which also offer other sweet treats such as ice-cream, waffles and milkshakes. Pancake franchises can all offer something different. Some opt to offer healthy or vegan pancakes, whereas some offer very indulgent pancakes that ooze with chocolate, ice cream or anything that takes your fancy.

Here are some of the opportunities currently on offer for budding entrepreneurs with a love for all things sweet.

Pancake Franchise Opportunities

Quick Crêpes

Quick Crêpes began as a family business in 1988. It has since grown to become the largest crêpe franchise in Europe, serving scrumptious dishes to hungry customers across Europe and the Middle East. The world-renowned brand is actively on the look out for franchisees so that it can expand and open even more stores. The ideal franchisee will be ambitious, enthusiastic and friendly.

Potential Quick Crêpes franchisees should be able to make a minimum investment of £95,000 and a total investment of £135,000, on top of franchise fees of up to £14,950. The brand offers to supply interested franchisees with extensive training and support throughout their business journey so that they will never feel like they are on their own. The food franchise even suggests that new additions to the Quick Crêpes team can expect to be making professional crêpes within the hour, if they use their products and equipment.

Crêpeaffaire

This food franchise specialises in the traditional French crêpe, serving a variety of sweet and savoury crêpes and waffles, as well as milkshakes, sweet pastries, hot beverages and smoothies. Crêpeaffaire is well-established in the UK, as it has opened 15 stores since its launch in 2004. It has also been successful outside of Europe, having opened a store in the Netherlands, a store in Saudi Arabia and three in Kuwait.

In order to invest, you will need £200,000 and a franchise fee of £16,000. The crêpe franchise will guide new franchisees through choosing the store location, its design and how to market the store. Also, it will provide constant support, making each new franchise a success story.

Wafflemeister

The clue is in the name with this business - Wafflemeister specialises in making crispy waffles with a twist. And that twist is huge and indulgent toppings. There are both sweet and savoury options on the menu, from a breakfast waffle with egg and bacon, to all sorts of syrups, fruits and creams. The company takes inspiration from Belgium and the US for its signature dishes, which offer a unique range of choice for customers. And it’s not just waffles - customers can enjoy crepes, sundaes and thick milkshakes.

Founded in 2019, it is a thriving business that uses a family recipe dating back to the 1950s. Franchisees will not only learn the secrets to this recipe, they’ll also gain comprehensive training on all things marketing, sales, and health and safety. It’s all delivered through a four-week ‘bootcamp’ that will get you clued up on everything you need to know to run a successful outlet.

Pancake King Franchise

Bringing pancakes to Singapore, Pancake King is a unique business. These are a predominantly sweet indulgence, resembling fluffy American pancakes – but many are filled for an extra treat. Made with fresh and natural ingredients, Pancake King aims to offer a healthier take on this fast food. It also focuses on using ethical products.

Pancake House Franchise

Pancake House is based in the Philippines and is very successful with over 100 outlets across the world. It offers franchisees a lucrative opportunity, with furniture, equipment, fixtures, staff training and recruitment in return for the franchise fee and investment.

Since the 1970s, it has served up fluffy American-style pancakes alongside waffles and other savoury dishes such as soups and salads, and local South East Asian dishes.