Bread-Obsessed
Someone who shares our passion for fresh-baked bread and treats, and sees bread as a universal comfort.
The No.1 Bakery Concept in Canada
COBS Bread began its journey in 1980 in Australia as a family-run business known as Bakers Delight.
With over 700 locations across Australia and New Zealand, we expanded to Canada in 2003, bringing our natural, handcrafted loaves and pastries to communities nationwide every day.
Our brand is built on one thing - a shared love and passion for bread. Bread is an essential part of our daily lives, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread is our best advertisement.
Be Your Own Boss
That means freedom, flexibility, and control which allows you to achieve the coveted work-life balance.
Loved by Canadians
You are working with the experience of an established, award-winning brand.
No Baking Experience Required
Your 16 weeks of intense, hands-on training will get you set up for success.
A Team to Back You Up
You'll always be just a phone call away from our knowledgeable, bread-loving Area Managers and support team.
Does this sound like you? Do you want to bake up your own legacy?
Where do we go from here?
1. Send us an Inquiry form
We’ll send you more info about the franchise opportunity and answer some of your initial questions.
2. Submit an Application for official consideration
Are you getting excited? Your application will be reviewed and we might schedule you in for an interview.
3. Meet with a Franchise Recruitment Manager
Discover what it’s like to be a franchisee and how COBS Bread operates. At this stage, we can provide you with a more detailed overview of the opportunity.
4. Meet our operations team and one of our regional directors
This step is crucial for our team to better understand you and determine if you are a good fit for our system.
5. Join us for a Discovery Day
Is bakery life for you? Find out by working in one of our bakeries for a day to find out what it's like owning a franchise, talk to our franchisees about the system, and review the numbers.
Congratulations - You’re approved to become a COBS Bread bakery owner!
Welcome to the family! Get ready to sign a commitment agreement, place a deposit on your COBS Bread bakery and change your life forever!
Available Bakeries
We have established bakeries that are currently looking for their new leader.
Franchise with COBS Bread
Become a Local Leader
Franchising FAQ
Check out this FAQ to find answers to your questions.
What's the process like to become a COBS Bread franchisee?
How do I become a COBS Bread Franchisee?
Your best first step is to submit an inquiry, and review our franchise brochure. Once you are in, you will receive more details about our franchise opportunities.
When you are ready, we encourage you to submit an application to begin discussions with our franchising team. Once you have submitted your application, our Franchising team will reach out to you within the next two business days.
Once I apply, how long does it take?
After submitting your application, you’ll join our discovery and approval process, which generally takes four to six weeks. After you complete the discovery process and commit to becoming a COBS Bread franchisee, the path to bakery ownership will typically take six to twelve months, and the COBS Bread support team will guide you through each step along the way.
Is COBS Bread an established brand in Canada?
What awards or recognitions has COBS Bread received?
We’ve received the Franchisees’ Choice designation from the Canadian Franchise Association for fourteen consecutive years (2011 – 2024), ranked top 25 in the Elite Franchising Top 100 Award, and we’ve also been awarded the Silver Award for Excellence in Franchise Achievement. We have also been awarded as 2025 Best Workplaces™ in Canada List for companies with 1000+ Canadian employees.
Is COBS a member of the CFA?
Yes indeed! We are proud members.
What experience do I need to become a successful franchisee?
Do I need previous baking experience?
COBS Bread franchisees are hands-on in all aspects of their business, including baking, however, you don’t need to have any previous baking experience to own and run a COBS Bread franchise. We’ll give you a full baking education alongside comprehensive sales and business management training.
What’s covered in the training program?
Throughout the program, our training consultants will teach you everything you need to know about managing your COBS Bread bakery franchise. This includes how to monitor and manage operations and finance, the full baking process, production planning, stock control, marketing, managing staff and wages, performance and recruitment management, occupational health and safety, and more.
Can you tell me more about the training program?
How long is it?
The COBS Bread training program runs for 16 weeks, but can vary depending on how much time you need to be comfortable and confident in your baking, sales, and business management skills.
Where will my franchisee training take place?
Your training will take place primarily in one of our operating bakeries, so you’ll be right in the middle of the action! We’ll match you up with a suitable training bakery, and that franchisee and their team – along with your Training Consultant and Area Manager – will teach you everything you’ll need to know about operating a successful COBS Bread bakery. In most cases, your training bakery will be close to home, however there may be a need for some travel depending on your area.
What is the business model and what are the required fees?
Can I bring in an investor/business partner?
The COBS Bread model is based on sole ownership and family partnerships. Owning a small business is hands-on, and our success can be attributed to active ownership. COBS Bread is open to other ownership structures where the main franchisee remains active in the management of his bakery or portfolio of bakeries. Ownership structures outside of a family relationship are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
What are the ongoing fees?
COBS Bread charges franchisees an ongoing Royalty Fee of 7% of weekly sales. Franchisees also invest 3% of weekly sales into our Marketing and Advertising fund. Some other franchise fees and charges may apply from time to time, and these are all detailed in our disclosure document. This will be available to you once you are qualified.
Can you shed more light on financing and fees?
What’s the initial purchase cost for a COBS Bread bakery?
The initial investment depends on whether you plan to purchase a new or existing bakery. The cost of a new location is approximately $800,000+. The cost of an existing location can be anywhere from $400,000 to $1,000,000+. Submit an inquiry to learn more about a specific bakery location. For new bakeries, we have a sweet deal for you – no initial franchise fee!
Can you tell me how locations are selected?
You will require 30% of the total investment in cash or liquid assets, plus working capital. For a new bakery purchase, this is approximately $250,000+.
Will COBS Bread help me with financing?
It’s your responsibility as a franchisee to secure financing for your bakery purchase, and we recommend talking to your financial adviser or preferred financial institution. However, COBS Bread has established special packages with several major Canadian banks, and we can help you get in touch with our partners once you’ve been approved as a franchise candidate.
In some circumstances, COBS Bread may offer vendor financing to help bridge the gap. This would be in addition to bank financing, and would be assessed on a case-by-case basis and require additional approvals.
Can you tell me how locations are selected?
What locations are available at the moment?
COBS Bread is expanding across Canada, and we’re excited about the potential! Check our available locations section.
Am I able to choose my own location?
COBS Bread will identify the site and conduct the lease negotiation, but we see it as a mutual discussion and decision. If you think a COBS Bread bakery will work in your local area, we would be happy to work with you to investigate possible franchise opportunities, and we value your input in this process.
Are franchisees able to have multiple locations?
Absolutely! Across our franchise network (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA), 40% of bakeries are owned by multi-site franchisees. If your goal is to own more than one location, our support team can work with you to put a plan in place.
What's it like once the bakery is up and running?
Will I have to be in the bakery every day?
To be successful as a COBS Bread franchisee, you need to be regularly involved in the day-to- day operations of your bakery. You’ll be most active in your first year, and spend more working hours on site. Once your bakery is at a point where it’s being managed effectively, we’ll guide you as you scale back your hours and find your ideal work/life balance.
What hours would my bakery need to be open?
All bakeries are open 7 days a week, including most holidays. Your daily hours of operation will depend on the flow of foot traffic around your bakery, but a typical bakery’s public operating hours are 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Sunday.