Bagel companies across the country are seeking to expand their franchises and bring their products to new baked goods markets. Owning bagel shop franchises can be a lucrative business, especially since many bagel chains are expanding from traditional breakfast fare to include sandwiches, soups and other menu offerings in their bagel business.

As the owner or manager of a bagel franchise, it's important to get proper training in all aspects of the industry. Bagel shops are subject to strict sanitation laws and food codes, so it's important to have good management, organizational and food industry education. Your bagel chains education and training should include:

1. Learning how to prep food for bagel restuarants.

2. Getting management training for bagel retailers.

3. Learning about food safety and sanitation for bagel store chains.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get food prep training for bagel bakery chains

Bagel shop chains often offer everything from a standard bagel with cream cheese to items like bagel sandwiches, soups, and specialty coffee drinks. It's important as the owner or manager of a bagel franchise to learn food preparation skills that will improve your business and customer service and better train your employees.

I recommend: Get training on baking and preparing bagels from scratch and tips on managing and operating your bagel chain successfully with the training course from the Bagel Trainer. Bagel Bagel Cafe offers in depth training for new bagel franchise owners on bagel baking, preparation and store management, and includes the training fee in your franchise purchase.

Receive management training for operating bagel store franchises

As the owner or manager of a bagel franchise, you are responsible for daily operations including food quality, sanitation, employee performance and customer satisfaction. It's important to get management training to be able to meet these demands and successfully manage your bagel business. Get training and education in bagel store management.

I recommend: Manhattan Bagel offers an extensive training program taught by bagel industry veterans to train you to successfully manage your bagel franchise. The NY Bagel Cafe will train you in an existing bagel store and in your bagel restaurant location so you'll be fully educated in bagel baking and store management when you open your bagel store.

Get training in food safety and sanitation for bagel stores

Bagel restaurants are subject to food safety and sanitation regulations like full-service restaurants. It's important to get training in food sanitation to ensure that your bagel store is operating safely and in compliance with food safety codes. Learning about food safety will help you train your staff in sanitation and guarantee that your store is making quality bagels safely.

I recommend: Einstein Brothers Bagels trains all new bagel store franchises owners or managers food training including food safety and bagel preparation, as well as offering an in-house culinary department. The Lox of Bagels Corporation offers food safety and preparation training tailored to the needs of bagel stores owners and managers.

Bagel chains are located in cities all over the country. Their menus offer a variety of bagels and pastries served with butter, cream cheese and a variety of other toppings. People like them because they can pick up a bagel on the run for breakfast at reasonable price without having to prepare it themselves.

Cash in on bagel store chains by opening your own in your city. Large conglomerates own these chains and franchise them out, so get the scoop on start up costs and other regulations. Decide if you will run it yourself or hire a management team. Look for the following when deciding on franchise terms for bagel chains:

1. Decide which bagel companies are right for you.

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 2. Locate bagel bakery chains by initial investment.

3. Weigh pros and cons in choosing your bagel franchise.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check availability and pricing for bagel store franchises

Not every franchise has openings in your area. Once you have decided on a chain, contact them to find out if you can open a store in your area. If they have no need in your local area, they will send you a list of close areas that need a local restaurant. You can also decide on a restaurant chain based on total price or down payment needed. You can check your state to see which restaurant chains have openings.

I recommend: Bruegger's offers franchise opportunities across the country. They provide the financial and other requirements; if you meet them they will proceed to a face-to-face meeting with you. Einstein Noah Restaurant Group offers franchise opportunities with support to the franchise owner, including lease negotiation and training at a "bagel university".

Ask bagel shop franchises about initial investment

Initial investments for restaurant chains is usually high however, some cost less than others cost. Before you decide, find out exactly what monetary commitments you will need to make upfront. Remember also, that the initial investment for the franchise fee only covers the franchise itself and you will still need working capital for such expenses as electricity, phone and payroll.

I recommend: Atlanta Bread offers franchises with a franchise fee from $30,000 to $40,000. They require liquid assets of $300,000 to $400,000 and a net worth of $650,000. Their ongoing royalty fee is five percent. Panera Bread requires franchisees for its bakery cafe chain to open 15 locations over six years and come in with a net worth of $7.5 million.

Open bagel restaurants for immediate business

When you open a chain store, you are cashing in on the name of the franchise. People know that whether your store is in Maine or California they will get the same menu and service and they stop at a familiar place. This is why you buy a franchise but the down side is there are tight regulations on franchises. You will get your operating schedule, menu and décor from the company. If you fail to meet your obligations, which usually include buying all of your supplies from them, you will lose your franchise.

I recommend: America's Best Franchises provides listings of all restaurant chains available. Check the one that interests you for all requirements before you buy. Franchise Gator lists available franchise opportunities with restaurant chains. Check hours of operation, where to buy supplies and training requirements before you invest.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase business insurance for bagel shops before you open for business. Make sure your insurance covers all hazards including accidents and food poisoning as well as the normal fire and theft.

When running a bagel chain franchise it is important to be knowledgeable about all of the important bagel chains key terms that are essential to your business. From bagel equipment and supplies to all of the accompanying foods, knowing the right terminology will help you keep business running smoothly, and keep your customers coming back for more.

To ensure your business's success, make sure you learn all about bagels, bagel slicers, gluten-free bagels, lox, bagel toasters and schmear.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bagel

Bagels are a traditional Jewish yeast bun with a hole in the middle. They are available in a wide range of flavors and are the only baked good to be boiled in water before being placed in the oven.

I recommend: Read the definition of bagel, and get serving and storage tips, at Waitrose.

Bagel slicer

A commercial bagel slicer is a must-have for any bagel chain kitchen. Bagel slicers come in many styles, but most use an enclosed stainless steel blade to allow quick and safe slicing.

I recommend: See pictures and read the description of the Commercial Bagel Safety Slicer at KegWorks.com.

Gluten-free

Gluten-free describes any food item that is free of wheat and wheat gluten. Providing customers with gluten-free bagels is an excellent idea in today's health-conscious environment.

I recommend: Look and Taste provides a great description of gluten-free bagels along with a brief video.

Lox

Lox is a very thin filet of cured and cold-smoked salmon. Lox is one of the most traditional bagel toppings and is commonly served with cream cheese, chives, capers and thinly sliced red onion.

I recommend: Jewish Recipes provides an in-depth definition of lox and the different types that are available.

Bagel toasters

Commercial bagel toasters are basically large toaster ovens that are capable of toasting and warming large quantities of bagels in a matter of seconds. Most use quartz heaters and convection heating systems.

I recommend: Burkett and Sons provides an excellent description of a conveyor bagel toaster along with a downloadable manufacturer spec sheet.

Schmear

In common bagel-speak, schmear (or schmeer) is used to describe cream cheese flavored with different herbs or seasonings that is spread onto bagels. However, the word actually describes any spreadable food item, such as butter or jam. Any successful bagel business should provide its customers with a wide selection of schmears.

I recommend: Go to Epicurious to learn the definition and etymology of schmear.