About LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES Franchise
Le Macaron French Pastries is a premium dessert franchise that has been franchising since 2012, specializing in authentic French macarons, pastries, gelato, and other European confections.
The brand brings the Parisian patisserie experience to American consumers through elegant kiosks and boutique style locations in malls, shopping centers, and high traffic retail areas.
Le Macaron is backed by MAXYMAC, LLC.
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES Franchise Cost & Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 1% of Gross Sales (Marketing Fee), 1% of Gross Sales (Local Marketing Expenditure), 1% of Gross Sales (Advertising Cooperative Contribution) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $84,730 – $458,560 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $85K–$459K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (6% of Gross Sales) and marketing fee (1% of Gross Sales (Marketing Fee), 1% of Gross Sales (Local Marketing Expenditure), 1% of Gross Sales (Advertising Cooperative Contribution)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (1) | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Lease Deposit, Utility Deposits, and Rent for 3 months (2) | $8,000 | $24,000 |
| Design and Architectural Fees (3) | $3,000 | $15,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements and/or Kiosk (4 and 5) | $20,000 | $200,000 |
| Furniture and Fixtures (5) | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Equipment (6) | $30,000 | $70,000 |
| Exterior and Interior Signage and Graphics | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| Initial Macaron Inventory (plus other food and beverage products and initial supplies) (7) | $20,000 | $27,000 |
| Travel and related expenses while training (8) | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Grand Opening Marketing (9) | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| POS Software and Hardware (10) | $180 | $1,560 |
| Professional Services (11) | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Insurance (12) | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Government permits and licenses | $500 | $1,500 |
| Additional Funds—3 months (13) | $20,000 | $30,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | Up to $500 (individual to business entity), $2,500 (intra-Owner and minority transfers), $7,875 - $22,500 (assignment to existing franchisee or transfer of all/substantially all assets/controlling interest, plus reimbursement of costs), $20,000 plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs (Area Development Agreement transfer) |
| Renewal Fee | 10% of the then-current initial franchise fee; currently $4,500 |
| Technology Fee | Currently, $60 to $130 per month for POS system lease/license, or $700 to $1,500 for purchase plus $20 per month software license fee |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit |
| Le Macaron App | Currently, $50 per month |
| Search Engine Optimization Services | Currently, $60 per month |
| Social Media Management Services | Currently, $50 per month plus any additional services or ad spend you elect to use or purchase |
| Supplemental Required Training | $300 per trainer per diem, plus reimbursement of related travel, lodging, and dining costs |
| Additional Training Requested by Franchisee | $300 per trainer per diem, plus reimbursement of related travel, lodging, and dining costs |
| Freezer Storage Rental | $500 Monthly (applicable only to Pastry Trucks if franchisee requires freezer storage) |
| Nonsufficient Funds Fee | Currently $100; can increase each year by an amount not to exceed 10% of the then-current fee |
| Interest/Late Fee | 18% per year or the maximum lawful rate |
| Supplier Approval/Tests | Reasonable cost of inspection, if applicable, and reasonable cost of test |
| Indemnification | An amount equal to the value of all losses and expenses that we incur |
| Insurance Premium Reimbursement | Reimbursement of insurance premium plus reasonable administrative fee, not to exceed $500 |
| Administrative Fee | Not to exceed $100 per hour |
| Enforcement Costs | Will vary |
| Customer Complaint Reimbursement | Amount of refund or payment |
| Relocation Fee | 25% of the then-current initial franchise fee; currently $11,500 |
| De-identification Fee | Will vary |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 4 to 6 days |
| Classroom Training | 24.5 |
| On-the-Job Training | 34 |
| Training Location | Sarasota or Orlando, Florida |
| Additional Training | Managing owner, key person, and other designated managerial employees may be required to attend additional courses, seminars, and training programs. Franchisor may charge reasonable tuition, and franchisee is responsible for all training-related costs and expenses including salary, travel, lodging, and dining costs. Current per diem rate is $300 per trainer plus reimbursement of related expenses. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected Area |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Description | Franchisee operates within a mutually agreed-upon “Protected Area” defined by zip codes, city/county lines, or other demarcation, excluding “Captive Markets.” Captive Markets include facilities serving captive marketplaces like department stores, supermarkets, shopping malls (over 350,000 sq ft), amusement/theme parks, airports, train stations, travel plazas, casinos, nightclubs, restaurants, public facilities, college/school campuses, arenas, stadiums, ballparks, hospitals, office buildings, convention centers, airlines (in-flight services), military bases, and mass gathering events or locations where food/beverage service rights are contracted to a third party. Franchisor reserves all rights outside the Protected Area and in Captive Markets, and may distribute products through alternative channels. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | three additional consecutive five-year terms |
| Renewal Fee | 10% of the then-current initial franchise fee; currently $4,500 |
| Renewal Conditions | To renew, franchisee must provide timely notice (12-24 months prior), be in good standing, satisfy all monetary obligations, renovate/modernize the Pastry Shop to current standards, have rights to premises (or approved alternate site), comply with current qualifications/training, sign the then-current franchise agreement (which may differ materially), and each Owner must sign a general release. |
| Transfer Fee | Up to $500 (individual to business entity), $2,500 (intra-Owner and minority transfers), $7,875 - $22,500 (assignment to existing franchisee or transfer of all/substantially all assets/controlling interest, plus reimbursement of costs), $20,000 plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs (Area Development Agreement transfer) |
| Transfer Conditions | Transfers require franchisor's prior written consent (not unreasonably withheld). Conditions include: timely written request, current monetary obligations, compliance with agreements, signing a general release, paying transfer fee, new franchisee meeting current qualifications/training, signing new franchise agreement (which may differ materially), refurbishing the Pastry Shop to current standards, and signing a guaranty and personal undertaking. Additional requirements apply to business entities. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor can terminate for curable defaults (e.g., failure to maintain insurance, pay amounts due, or comply with Marks/Copyrighted Works use, or product quality) with 10 or 30 days to cure. Non-curable defaults (e.g., bankruptcy, felony conviction, abandonment, unapproved transfers, trademark misuse, knowing understatement of sales, health/safety violations, repeated defaults) result in immediate termination. Failure to effect an approved transfer upon death or permanent incapacity also leads to termination. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term of the franchise, neither franchisee nor Owners may own, operate, advise, or have an interest in any shop offering macarons as a menu item within the U.S., its territories, commonwealths, or any country/province/state where the franchisor has used or registered its Marks. After termination or expiration, for two years, neither franchisee nor Owners may engage in such business at the former Pastry Shop location (or within its Protected Area if a Pastry Truck), or within a 10-mile radius of the former Pastry Shop or any other LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES® Pastry Shop. This restriction is tolled during periods of noncompliance. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The Franchised Business must be under the general supervision of a “Managing Owner” who must have an equity interest in the franchise, successfully complete initial training, and devote full-time efforts to day-to-day management. If the Managing Owner ceases to serve, a replacement must be designated within 30 days and complete training. For multiple Pastry Shops, a “Key Person” must also be appointed, complete training, and devote full-time efforts to operations and management without substantial outside commitments. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisee must purchase or lease POS computer hardware and software from approved suppliers. Macarons, assorted pastries, chocolates, gelato, gift boxes, private label merchandise, business cards, stationery, and other items bearing Marks must be purchased from the franchisor or designated suppliers (currently LMC for macarons). Franchisor may also designate approved suppliers for fixtures, furniture, equipment, signs, décor items, audio/visual systems, non-macaron food products and ingredients, coffee, tea, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, uniforms, shirts, retail merchandise, advertising/point-of-purchase materials, gift certificates/stored value cards, contracts, forms, bags, packaging, and supplies bearing Marks. Kiosks and Pastry Trucks must be purchased from the designated supplier. |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisee must request approval for unapproved sources, which may involve inspection and testing fees. Franchisor provides specifications and criteria for supplier approval and can revoke approval. Franchisee may purchase items not identified with approved suppliers if they meet franchisor's specifications, including brand requirements. Franchisor may modify the list of designated suppliers and concentrate purchases with one or more suppliers. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | Franchisor and its affiliates derive revenue from franchisee purchases and leases. In 2021, Le Macaron Development LLC derived 0% of its total revenues ($1,104,119) from franchisee purchases/leases, while its affiliate LMC derived $4,856,994.59 from franchisee purchases. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | We do not offer direct or indirect financing, and we do not guarantee your notes, leases, or other obligations. |
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES Litigation & Risk Flags
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES System Growth
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES currently operates 56 franchised locations and 5 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 15 | 3 | 59 |
| 2020 | 10 | 12 | 56 |
| 2021 | 13 | 6 | 61 |
Transfers: 4 | Closures: 20
State Registrations
Registered in 8 states: CA, IL, IN, MD, MI, NY, NC, VA
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Audited by A&G LLP for year ending December 31.
LE MACARON FRENCH PASTRIES Franchise — FAQ
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