In this FDD Talk post, you’ll learn the following:

• Section I – Background information on the Le Macaron French Pastries franchise opportunity, including relevant news updates

• Section II – Estimated initial investment for a Le Macaron French Pastries franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2018 FDD

• Section III – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees for a Le Macaron French Pastries franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2018 FDD

• Section IV – Number of franchised and company-owned Le Macaron French Pastries outlets at the start of the year and the end of the year for 2015, 2016, and 2017, based on Item 20 of the company’s 2018 FDD

• Section V – Presentation and analysis of Le Macaron French Pastries’ financial performance representations, based on Item 19 of the company’s 2018 FDD, including information on the:

• 2017 average and median sales by quartile for the 28 Le Macaron French Pastries Pastry Shops (6 affiliate-owned and 22 franchised) that were open and operating during the full 2017 calendar year and which did not experience any full ownership transfers during the 2017 calendar year

Section I – Background Information

13 Things You Need to Know About the Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise

Debuts Mobile Food Cart Franchise Opportunity

1.  At the beginning of 2018, Le Macaron French Pastries announced a new non-traditional franchise opportunity in the form of a mobile food cart. Folded into its overall growth strategy, the brand looks to launch this new opportunity with strategic franchise partners who are seeking flexibility with their business. The new franchise opportunity aims to lean into the growing quick-serve and snack brand trend of kiosks, mobile carts, and express locations.

2.  With the new mobile carts, Le Macaron French Pastries seeks to capitalize on these captive audiences at malls, sporting events, festivals, and other gatherings. The investment for Le Macaron French Pastries’ new mobile food cart opportunity ranges between $91,750 and $127,000.

3.  Rosalie Guillem, co-founder and CEO of Le Macaron French Pastries, said, “We wanted to create an opportunity that allows our franchisees to work in non-conventional environments and offer guests a sweet treat when they are unable to access one of our locations. Our products are small and can easily be eaten on the go, so a mobile food cart aligns directly with our brand. This will only accelerate our growth as we welcome a new group of franchisees looking to enter the fast-casual industry.”

Announces Development Plans for California

4.  In mid-October 2017, Le Macaron French Pastries announced plans to introduce more than 15 locations in targeted communities throughout California. The brand hopes to ignite growth through strategic franchise partnerships and aims to open the new locations within the next five years.

5.  At the time of the announcement, there were four Le Macaron shops already opened in California and two new locations were slated for 2018. In addition to San Diego, Le Macaron French Pastries is targeting Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach.

6.  Already finding success in the market is franchisee Hassia Kateb, whose Santa Barbara location has been in operation since May 2016. Kateb said, “Santa Barbara has proven to be the perfect market for my Le Macaron French Pastries location. A great foodie community, we’ve developed a loyal fan base throughout the community proving our original and authentic macarons are unparalleled in the market. With folks traveling to us from across the state, we look forward to watching Le Macaron further expand their presence throughout California.”

Adds New Beverage Offerings

7.  In addition to its signature macarons, Le Macaron French Pastries offers other treats as well as drinks. At the end of August 2017, Le Macaron expanded its beverage menu, which was designed to complement the brand’s high-quality, authentic macarons and pastries. The new drinks are now available permanently in all Le Macaron locations and include an array of innovative iced and hot coffee beverages, as well as gelato-based milkshakes.

8.  Rosalie Guillem, co-founder and CEO of Le Macaron French Pastries, said, “Our elevated beverage program is the next step in showcasing the originality and authenticity of our product offerings outside of our famous macarons. Our guests are always looking for something stimulating and exciting to please taste buds and we enjoy providing options beyond the little bites of heaven that we’re known for.”

9.  With eight original items being added, some notable highlights include:

• Blackberry Lavender White Mocha – This espresso beverage is an enhanced version of the traditional white chocolate classic. Enriched with blackberry and lavender flavorings, each beverage is finished with a blanket of whip cream and drizzled syrup.

• Chocolate Stout Iced Latte – Another espresso beverage for an extra energy boost, this new offering puts a spin on the traditional latte by incorporating caramel and hazelnut flavorings, as well as dark chocolate sauce. In typical Le Macaron French Pastries fashion, the beverage is completed with a layer of whip cream and chocolate syrup.

• Violet Rose Milkshake – With a gelato base, this milkshake contains lavender and rose flavorings for a unique taste sure to invigorate and delight taste buds.

• Affogato – A soon to be favorite, this simple yet tasty offering combines an espresso shot with one scoop of gelato and is customized with the guest’s choice of any syrup flavoring or sauce.

Company History

10.  Le Macaron French Pastries was founded in 2009 by Rosalie Guillem and her daughter Audrey Guillem-Saba in Sarasota, Florida. The Guillem family is originally from France, but Rosalie said that she had always wanted to live in the United States and finally made the move to pursue the American dream.

11.  Rosalie left her older children behind, including Audrey, and knew that she needed to start a business that would allow her family to be reunited and live out their dreams. Rosalie and Audrey felt that the American version of the French macaron was not authentic or true enough to a real French macaron. They knew that they could offer Americans a true macaron experience and the Guillems teamed up with French-trained pastry chefs to create the best macaron recipe that captured the spirit of French culture.

12.  Le Macaron French Pastries started franchising in 2012 and, as of December 31, 2017, there are now 46 locations across the United States.

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

13.  Le Macaron French Pastries did not rank on Entrepreneur’s 2018 Franchise 500 list.

Section II – Estimated Costs

• Please click here for detailed estimates of Le Macaron French Pastries franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2018 FDD.

Section III – Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, Marketing Fee, and Other Fees

• Please click here for detailed information on Le Macaron French Pastries’ initial franchise fee, royalty fee, marketing fee, and other fees, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2018 FDD.

Section IV – Number of Franchised and Company-Owned Outlets

Franchised

2015

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  11
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  29
• Net Change:  +18

2016

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  29
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  31
• Net Change:  +2

2017

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  31
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  37
• Net Change:  +6

Company-Owned

2015

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  6
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  6
• Net Change:  0

2016

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  6
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  9
• Net Change:  +3

2017

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  9
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  9
• Net Change:  0

Section V – Financial Performance Representations (Item 19, 2018 FDD) and Analysis

Average Yearly Sales (2017) by Quartiles

• The following chart includes historical financial information, in the form of averages and medians, for the 28 Le Macaron French Pastries Pastry Shops that were open and operating during the full 2017 calendar year and which did not experience any full ownership transfers during the 2017 calendar year.

• The averages and medians include both franchise shops and shops owned by affiliated entities.

• The 28 Pastry Shops in this subset were divided into four and the average and median Yearly Sales of each quarter, or quartile, is included in the following chart:

Top Quartile

Affiliate and Franchised Shops (7 Shops)