Q&A: Does Warrens Bakery Franchise in the UK?

Lily Sweeney, writer

Published at 26/02/2022, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

Q&A: Does Warrens Bakery Franchise in the UK?
Photo © Q_A-Does-Warrens-Bakery-Franchise-in-the-UK.jpg

If you love sweet and savoury treats and you’d like to start your own business within a supported framework, why not start a franchise in the bakery sector? This in-demand section of the food service industry awaits your investment, and a brand like Warrens Bakery, Britain’s oldest Cornish pasty maker, is perfectly suited. Read on, and find out everything you need to know about a potential franchise investment with Warrens.


The UK bakery cafe market is worth a whopping £857 million and contains almost 3,000 businesses [IBISWorld]. Warrens Bakery is famous in this thriving sector for its delicious Cornish pasties and saffron cakes, and as a franchisee, you’ll not only become a part of the exciting, growing bakery industry - you’ll also benefit from use of the Warrens brand name and the Warrens blueprint for success.


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Does Warrens Bakery franchise in the UK?

If selling Warrens Bakery bread, Warrens Bakery cakes and Warrens Bakery pasties and pastries galore to hungry customers sounds like something you could really get your teeth into, you’ll be thrilled to discover that yes, Warrens Bakery does franchise in the UK. From its Cornwall head office, Warrens is seeking franchisees with plenty of ambition and drive. Franchisees should be interested in opening multiple outlets, and further territories can be taken on in time.

The history of the Warrens Bakery business

If you choose to make a career change with a cafe franchise like Warrens Bakery, you’ll become a member of a network that has roots in the 19th century. As mentioned above, Warrens holds the honour of being the world’s oldest pasty maker, and for 150 years, the brand has managed to thrive through the sale of its classic dishes, contemporary favourites, fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.

As a franchisee, you’d only add to this amazing legacy that began on “the cobbled streets of St. Just” when “two Cornish families came together through marriage to share their love for baking” [Warrens Bakery]. You’d benefit from a franchise model that’s been refined to perfection over the years, and you could become a crucial part of Warrens’ northern expansion up the UK.

160 years on and Warrens is proud to be the oldest Cornish pasty producer in the world, feeding families for generations. Our 40 bakeries can now be found all over the West Country and into South Wales. - Warrens Bakery

Start a franchise in the bakery industry with a Warrens Bakery shop franchise

If everything you’ve learned so far about Warrens Bakery has left you increasingly keen to invest and join this family-run business’s success story, read on. The three questions answered below will equip you with all the information you need in order to make a fully informed franchise investment with Warrens Bakery...

1. How do you go about starting your own bakery franchise with Warrens?

If a savoury treat and tasty dessert franchise like Warrens Bakery seems perfect for you, you can visit the Warrens Bakery website to find out more about the brand and register your interest by making first contact. Before you do, note that Warrens isn’t necessarily looking for someone with specific experience in the bakery sector, but would prefer a franchisee with previous food industry experience. Other desirable traits include:

  • A willingness to commit to a multi-unit agreement (minimum five stores)
  • A track record of successfully running food outlets
  • Organisation and business management
  • Leadership and people management
  • A passion for baking and food
  • A desire to share premium food items with customers and create a great customer experience

2. How much do you need to invest?

To become a Warrens Bakery franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £50,000. The full cost associated with the investment will depend on the area that you’re developing your territory in, and the specific locations you choose to launch, but this is a ballpark idea of what you can expect. To put this in context, the average cost of starting a franchise as of 2018 was £42,200 [British Franchise Association], and these are some additional examples of associated costs from the bakery sector:

  • Bagel Corner - To become a Bagel Corner franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £500,000, with franchise fees of £15,000.
  • Baguette Express - To become a Baguette Express franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £30,000, with a total investment cost of £60,000.
  • Wafflemeister - To become a Wafflemeister franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £100,000, with franchise fees of £15,000 and a total investment cost of £150,000.

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3. What do you get for your investment?

After investing with Warrens Bakery, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive franchise package inclusive of a range of training and support. The training will include, for instance, information on food safety and the undergoing of certifications to ensure all franchisees meet legal hygiene requirements. You’ll then be supported with the management of your multi-unit franchise, advised and informed on every operational aspect. You’ll also receive:

  • Site selection support
  • Site development and design support
  • POS support
  • In-house marketing guidance
  • An extensive range of materials worth over £10,000 to ensure a successful launch
  • Region-specific products
  • Mapping techniques

I was very impressed with the Warrens Bakery business model, which is why I bought the franchise, but I have to admit I knew nothing about baking. In fact, I didn’t need to - the training told me everything my staff and I needed to know. The message is that franchisees are the guardians of delivering Warrens Bakery products to the very highest standards. - Robert Crompton, Warrens Bakery

Warrens Bakery franchise opportunities are a great way to start running your own business

Hopefully, you now know everything you need to in order to determine whether you’d like to start your own Warrens Bakery franchise - and you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to go ahead and do it if the answer is yes. If you’re still on the fence and you’d like to continue your research, stick around on Point Franchise. Explore similar sectors of industry like the dessert sector, figuring out the perfect dessert franchise for you and discovering the ins and outs of a day in the life for the owner of a dessert franchise.

Lily Sweeney, writer

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