Bakers Delight — Australia’s most recognisable bakery franchise — is poised for a new era of expansion in 2026 as it refines its business model and accelerates national growth. With more than 700 bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S., the brand is introducing strategic innovations designed to unlock new franchise opportunities in urban and regional markets alike.

Small Footprint Bakeries — Growth Engine

A key strategic pivot for 2026 is the rollout of a small footprint bakery model, first trialled at Camberwell Place in Victoria. At just 38 m², this format uses innovative equipment — like the Metro Oven — to enable a full bakery offering in a smaller, more cost-efficient space. (Source : Bakers Delight)

Joint CEO David Christie explains the significance

“This new model is a game-changer for our network… It’s a lower-cost, high-efficiency format that delivers strong ROI and opens the door to new locations and franchise opportunities.”

Expansion Targets & Forecast

Bakers Delight’s corporate franchise materials outline an ambitious roadmap through 2030, including adding up to 150 new bakeries across Australia and boosting annual sales and profitability benchmarks for franchisees.

2026 Growth Forecast (Illustrative)

This growth assumes increased franchise uptake supported by streamlined build costs, improved operational efficiency and stronger market penetration in under-served regions.

Leadership & Franchisee Support

Bakers Delight continues to emphasise franchisee support through structured onboarding, training and operational guidance. New franchisees undergo a comprehensive pathway from enquiry to bakery opening, including site selection, training and ongoing marketing and technical support.

This support network is intended to foster long-term profitability. For context, average annual sales figures for a typical bakery network store have been reported around the million-dollar mark, with strong profitability achievable for top performers.

Industry Context & Competitive Position

The Australian bakery franchise market continues to evolve. While Bakers Delight remains a dominant player, other bakery franchise concepts are also expanding. For example, Banjo’s Bakery Cafe has outlined plans to double its national footprint by entering new states and pursuing new lease agreements well into 2026, reflecting broader growth trends within the industry. (Source: Courier Mail)

As a top bakery franchise in Australia, Bakers Delight’s continued expansion helps set franchising benchmarks within food retail, illustrating how established brand strength and adaptive strategy can fuel long-term growth.

As Bakers Delight enters 2026, its franchise growth strategy blends a heritage brand identity with modern operational innovation. With small footprint bakeries, ambitious expansion targets and a supportive franchise system, the company is well-positioned to continue scaling across Australia and solidify its place among the country’s most successful franchise enterprises.

Alongside established leaders, bakery franchises such as Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses are reinforcing their growth strategies with targeted local store expansions.