COBS Bread

Own a COBS Bread Bakery with No Initial Franchise Fee on New Locations

COBS Bread has been building bakery businesses for decades. The story began in Australia in 1980 as Bakers Delight before the brand expanded into Canada in 2003. Today, COBS Bread is part of a network of more than 700 locations across Australia and New Zealand.

The Canadian network continues to grow, with ambitions to open more than 20 bakeries each year. For new locations, there is currently no initial franchise fee, giving hands-on owner-operators the opportunity to build a bakery business with an established and award-winning brand.

What Does It Take to Own a COBS Bread Bakery?

For a new bakery, a minimum of $250,000 in liquid capital is required, based on a total investment of approximately $750,000–$800,000 + tax.

There may also be opportunities to purchase an existing bakery. These can range from $400,000 to $1 million+, with 30% required in liquid capital.

Ongoing fees include a 7% royalty on weekly sales and a 3% contribution to the Marketing and Advertising Fund.

Franchisees arrange their own financing. COBS Bread has relationships with several major Canadian banks and may be able to introduce approved candidates to its partners. Vendor financing may also be considered in some circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Build a Business That Gives Back

A COBS Bread bakery can become more than just a place where customers buy their daily bread.

Through its End of Day Giving program, every COBS Bread bakery donates unsold baked goods to local charities. Over the past 20 years, the network has donated more than $300 million worth of unsold bread through initiatives including End of Day Giving and Doughnation Day.

For franchisees, this means there is an opportunity to build a business while becoming a familiar part of the community around their bakery.

Hear From COBS Bread Franchisees

The best way to understand what owning a COBS Bread bakery is like is often to hear directly from the people already doing it.

“The most fulfilling part of being a COBS bakery operator is when you get there at 2 o’clock in the morning, and the bakery is cold, it’s dark, there’s nobody around. You fire up the ovens, you turn on the music. Your other bakers show up and you start baking. And then, by about 6 o’clock in the morning, you’ve got a whole wall of bread. It looks beautiful, the product is great and it’s just a great sense of accomplishment.”

Terrell Thurston, COBS Bread Clair Marketplace

“I was at a career crossroads and looking for a new challenge when I discovered COBS Bread. With my previous background in customer service and retail, it felt like the right time to do something for myself. During my discovery day at a COBS location in Durham, I was impressed by their commitment to donating leftover products to local charities, which made it the perfect fit for me. I also appreciated their comprehensive training program and their ongoing support to franchisees, which made me feel confident and prepared to take on this new venture.”

Megan Forbes, COBS Bread Brooklin

“I love connecting and collaborating with people. We have a network of such diverse individuals who bring so much expertise from their previous careers. It is also amazing to be a part of something that is loved by Canadians coast to coast.”

Sara Lisk, COBS Bread London North West

Could COBS Bread Be Your Next Business?

If you're looking for a hands-on franchise opportunity in the bakery sector, COBS Bread offers the chance to build your own business with the backing of an established brand.

With new bakery opportunities currently available with no initial franchise fee, as well as existing bakeries for sale, there are different ways to explore COBS Bread ownership.

Inquire today to learn more about available opportunities and discover whether COBS Bread could be the right franchise for you.