Warrens Bakery, which has been recognised as one of the UK’s top three craft bakeries and the world’s oldest pasty maker, has announced that it is now offering franchises.
Established in 1860, it is Cornwall’s oldest commercial bakery and currently has over 50 company-owned stores across the West Country in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Bristol, and is BRC Grade A accredited for food safety.
Its first franchised store is due to open early next year in the Midlands at Sutton Coldfield and the company is aiming to roll-out a substantial number of stores across the UK over the next three to five years.
Warrens says it has a robust business model with three production sites with diverse, flexible retail formats across four counties from city centre locations to service stations.
Commenting on the launch of the franchise, Mark Sullivan, chairman of Warrens Bakery, said: “We have spent several years perfecting the model and this represents a transformational event for us, as we move towards becoming the UK’s leading craft bakery.
“As one of the oldest craft bakers, we pride ourselves on our handcrafted affordable luxuries and are thrilled to take our award-winning products out nationally.”
George Abuaita, who is opening the first franchised store, said: “As a local businessman operating a number of Costa stores in the region, I see a gap in this area and throughout the UK for a premium bakery. I’m positive the new bakery will fill this gap.
“We already have plans to expand Warrens across the West Midlands and lay down 20 stores in five years. Not only will the new store be fantastic for customers, but also the local community, since we will generate significant employment opportunities.”
With over 150 years of craft baking experience, Warrens has received many accolades for its products. At the Baking Industry Awards 2015 it was ranked as one of the top three craft bakeries and last year it won gold in The British Pie Awards, as well as being recognised in the World Pasty Championship at the Eden Project, Cornwall.
Warrens attributes its success to its vibrant experiential retail formats aligned with heritage through its craft traditions and the provenance of its ingredients, but also to their dedicated team, which includes a number of creative master bakers.
The company says its products are crafted with enormous care and attention to detail, using the finest ingredients. Many of the products adhere to traditional recipes including its acclaimed scones, artisan breads and pasties.
Its award-winning hand-crimped, slow baked pasties come in a variety of sizes and fillings from the traditional steak pasty to vegetarian options. Another award-winning product is its saffron cake, which uses the finest Spanish La Mancha saffron.
Family affair
Warrens Bakery was born 150 year’s ago from a romance between a farmer’s son, Master Warren and a baker’s daughter, Miss Harvey, a daughter of a local baker in St. Just, Cornwall.
As romance blossomed, so did a new business. One family provided local ingredients fresh from the fields, while the other baked the pasties and bread.
Warrens Bakery rose to become a favourite with farmers, miners and the local community.