the cake bars designed in Dijon seduce all of France
A new factory in Côte d’Or and stores throughout France! For sure, 2023 will be a very good year for “Miss Cookies”. This company born 8 years ago in Dijon does not stop growing. Initially, it was an adventure that brought together 4 members of the Grandgérard family, today it is a franchise with 18 points of sale in France and 7 more to come.
The family is investing 1.6 million euros this year in the construction of a new factory and offices in Arceau, north of Dijon.
France Bleu Bourgogne: your family business needs to grow. So we have to push the walls?
Pierre Grandgérard, development manager at “Miss Cookies”: Absolutely. There are three reasons. The production laboratory aspect: today, we are a bit cramped. The walls had to be operated effectively. So, there is this pastry production part for the distributor throughout the network, all our pastries that are made in Dijon. And that part, the logistics part too, since we also send all the packaging. And finally, the third reason is the office part for our employees who are within the sign.
Miss Cookie started in 2016 in Dijon on an idea of Hélène, your sister. Today, on account 18 stores in France. Why does it work so well?
The secrets of success have not been definitively defined. I think there is good humor, quality products and then a desire to develop a franchise network since in fact it worked well in Dijon, on a first establishment, then a second, a third. And today, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs who wish to open their coffee shop.
Do you easily find candidates?
We have many project leaders who come to us. We register about two requests per day. It’s quite incredible for a young network like ours, especially in the current context. But then you have to find the right franchisee. Indeed, there is the financial aspect that comes into play. But there is also a sentimental side since when we are linked with us, we are linked by a franchise contract over a period of seven years. So you also have to be able to come to an agreement with the franchisee, but overall, we don’t have too many problems on this point.
This year, Miss Cookies will open 7 new franchises, notably in Antibes, Annecy and closer to home in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Given your development, can you stay in control, or is there the risk of being bought out by a large group?
So we are actually approached by large groups who have shown a growing interest in our brand. I believe that all the investments that could have actually required fundraising were made while remaining independent. There is this family side which will, I think, be able to continue for a certain number of years. And then we are embodied by our employees. So today, we’re talking more about the Grandgérard family, which is my name, but about the Cookies family.