With the opening of her fourth COBS Bread bakery, Steff continues to grow her mission of delivering delicious, freshly baked goods to even more neighbourhoods. Her journey has been fuelled by a deep commitment to quality, customer connection, and building strong local teams. Each bakery she opens becomes more than just a place to pick up bread—it becomes a cornerstone of the community. Let’s get to know her a bit better:

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My background was in restaurant management, but my husband and I had always dreamed of having our own business. The timing was right, I saw a COBS social media post about owning a bakery and not knowing what COBS Bread was all about, I went to the website to find out and really loved what I saw. We made a trip to Mississauga to see a bakery and try a bunch of products, and we were hooked!  

When did you join the COBS Bread family? Why did you decide to open a COBS Bread Bakery? 

I started my COBS Bread Franchisee training in Nov 2016 and have never looked back! We opened The Boardwalk in July 2017, Fairway Plaza Dec 2018, Blackstone Jan 2022 and I am thrilled and so proud to be the only Franchisee in Eastern Canada and the US with about to be 4 bakeries when Sunfish opens in the spring of 2025. I couldn’t do any of this without my incredible family and amazing bakery teams and managers. They all truly believe in my passion and help make the magic happen everyday.

What did you do before working at COBS? 

Professionally, I spent 15 years in restaurant management and a number of years operating a home-based daycare when my own kids were younger. For fun, I ran marathons!

What are you looking forward to about your new bakery? 

I LOVE all my bakeries. They are all so special to me in different ways. I’ve been referring to them as my eldest, my middle child and my baby. With a 4th on the way, I’m going to need to come up with a new reference – lol. Opening a bakery is epic! The excitement in creating another exceptional COBS Bread is unlike anything else. We’re working on our next banner catchphrase but everyone knows it’s going to be DELIGHTFUL!

Before joining COBS, were you much of a baker? 

I am a serious foodie; I cook and bake every single day.

How are you planning on getting involved in the community? 

I was born and raised in KW, my husband has lived here for basically 40 years now, and our kids have always called this home. We are very rooted in the KW community. With our 3 bakeries we have been able to support more than 21 charity partners in our End of Day Giving Program alone. The number of charities and events we support outside of that is countless. With COBS Bread Sunfish on the way, it only strengthens our reach.

What’s in your favourite sandwich? 

Cape Seed with ANYTHING!! It is such an amazing loaf and my staff start laughing when I start talking to customers about it. But if you want sandwich details… Perfect with fork mashed avocado on one side, hummus on the other, shaved turkey breast, provolone, cucumber, green peppers, tomato and spinach.

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“My husband and I applied to becoming a COBS Bread franchisee in 2020, after seeking for franchising opportunities for a while. One of the reasons why we chose COBS Bread was because giving back to the community is extremely important to us,” says Sandra, the Union Square Bakery Owner.   

Union Square’s Community Day

Reviving a tradition that had to take a step back due to the pandemic, Sandra opened the COBS Bread Union Square with Community Day, where 100% of the sales are donated to a local organization. The Union Square team raised $6,220 which Sandra rounded up to $8,000 for Windsor Regional Hospital’s paediatric unit, to assist the hospital in purchasing a new mobile dental x-ray machine.  

Before bakery opening, the Union Square team started spreading the word about Community Day. The team was excited to be part of the meaningful initiative and to achieve their goal. Windsor Regional Hospital also sent out a press release and shared the initiative on social media, which increased community awareness.

“I have a deep appreciation for all that medical professionals do for us, which is why we decided to raise funds for the hospital. Medical equipment gets old very quickly, and the government can only provide limited funds for that. So, I contacted the hospital and asked them what type of equipment they need. We selected the dental x-ray machine because it has been 20 year since the hospital purchased one for children, and it is an achievable goal for our team,” says Sandra. 

Sandra’s Philosophy in Community Giving

Aside from Community Day, Sandra has been enjoying giving back to the community through other initiatives such as the End of Day Giving Program and Doughnation Campaign. “We are looking forward to crushing the road next year for Doughnation Campaign and continue our efforts to give back to the community through the End of Day Giving Program,” says Sandra.  

Does this resonate with you? Apply to become a COBS Bread franchisee today!  

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Steff Steers is in the COBS Bread spotlight again, with the opening of her third bakery, COBS Bread Blackstone in Waterloo. Keep reading to learn a little more about Steff, what led her to open her third bakery and how she plans on continuing her efforts in giving back to the community. Congratulations Steff!

What led you to open your third bakery?

Short answer is: I love what I do!

Long answer, looking at Kitchener-Waterloo, I wanted to make sure my market was well represented with a convenient COBS Bread location as people navigate around the city. COBS Bread The Boardwalk is very central and COBS Bread Fairway Plaza pulls in another section of Kitchener and even some Cambridge. Our newest location, COBS Bread Blackstone, is on the far east side of Waterloo (a demographically strong pocket) and forms a triangle of fresh baked delightfulness!

What are you looking forward to the most about your new bakery?

The excitement of opening a new bakery fuels me. I love building a new team and I love meeting new customers. I’m excited to be reunited with many regular customers from COBS Bread The Boardwalk that I have not seen as often, while I was concentrating on developing COBS Bread Fairway Plaza. They live closer to our new bakery, COBS Bread Blackstone, and have been waiting for the opening as much as I have. It is only a two minute drive from home for me!

What is your recipe for success?

Our recipe for success is operational excellence in everything we do! We have a purpose statement banner posted for the team at our bakeries:

• COBS Bread The Boardwalk 1^st – “Be Delightful”
• COBS Bread Fairway Plaza 2^nd – “Be Beyond Delightful”
• COBS Bread Blackstone 3^rd – “Above and Beyond Delightful”

What charity did you pick and why for your community day?

For all three bakeries, our Community Day charity partner is KidsAbility. KidsAbility is an incredible organization focusing on the abilities of children with disabilities. They provide early and exceptional family-centered services to help children reach their full potential.

How are you planning on getting involved in the community?

We are very active with other community partners providing our exceptional product to support their initiatives, whether that is supporting local hospital staff or volunteers across various community organizations. I look forward to a COVID calm world, when more social and community activities can take place. I am a yapper and I love talking about all things COBS Bread!

Visit Steff and her team at COBS Bread Blackstone!

If you are interested in opening your own COBS Bread bakery, inquire today.

The post Steff, our multi-site franchisee, opened her third COBS Bread bakery! appeared first on COBS Bread.

“The best thing about being a COBS Bread franchisee is the connection with the local community.” – Heather, franchisee of COBS Bread Park and Tilford

Heather, the franchisee of COBS Bread Park and Tilford, is passionate about making a difference in the community. She started out her journey as a Franchise Manager at the COBS Bread Support Office, and eventually opened her own bakery in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Since then, she has been able to do what she loves most – operating her own business, while giving back to the community.

Growing up in the neighbourhood, Heather has benefited from many educational and extracurricular programs that the community offered. Thus, it has been very rewarding for her to give back through various bakery-led community initiatives, such as the Doughraiser Program and the End of Day Giving Program.

The Doughraiser Program

Through the Doughraiser Program, Heather has been partnering with 35 community groups, such as Girl Guides, Lonsdale Creek Daycare, Lions Gate Hospital, Eastview Elementary School and many more. “It is so special being able to give back to the elementary school that I attended, which is also the school that my kids are attending,” says Heather. When customers make a purchase at the bakery and mention the group’s name, 5% of customer purchases will be donated back to the group. The funds raised from the program have supported many community activities and initiatives, such as elementary school graduation events, new computers for schools and new book for kindergarten groups.

Additionally, she has been partnering with nine schools to support their hot lunch programs, in which participating schools receive a 15% discount when they order from COBS Bread Park and Tilford. The bakery packages all the orders and drops it off to schools. This helps schools raise money for their extracurricular activities and other school-wide initiatives, as they charge parents full price when they order lunches for their cihldren. To support the coordination of these hot lunch programs, Heather donates 25 dollar gift cards for schools as an appreciation gift to their volunteers.

The End of Day Giving Program

Aside from the Doughraiser Program, Heather has been very involved with the End of Day Giving Program. She has been partnering with seven charitable groups to donate leftover bread to communities in need. In particular, Heather has been partnering with Lookout House and Health Society for the longest, ever since opening the bakery. Lookout is a charitable organization that provides housing and a range of support services to adults with low or no income. The group offers housing options such as permanent supportive housing and transitional housing, as well as shelter options such as emergency shelters and extreme weather response shelters. “We have a waitlist of groups of the End of Day Giving Program, but we try our best to support as many group as we can,” says Heather.

In the new year, Heather is looking forward to continuing her efforts in giving back to the community, whether that is through current bakery-led initiatives, or new initiatives. Currently, she is exploring ways on how the bakery can deliver leftover products to their End of Day Giving partners, instead of having volunteers to pick it up. This ensures that products can still be delivered to those in need, even if there are no volunteers available for pick up. “It is important that food does not go to waste and someone is able to enjoy it,” says Heather.

If you are thinking about making a change in your life and career, inquire to be a franchisee with COBS Bread today.

The post Heather, the franchisee of Park and Tilford is a Community Star appeared first on COBS Bread.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey to COBS

Going back to work after staying at home with the kids was an eventuality. My husband and I started talking about what that might look like and how we might take on new adventures. Oddly enough, we stumbled on the COBS Bread family after a conversation with my father-in-law who had recently spoke to an existing owner on a visit to a local bakery. We initially looked at COBS Bread in 2018 but we were not ready yet. Fast forward to 2021, here we are now!

What did you do before working at COBS?

Starting a new business is never easy, but starting it after being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years is even harder. Yet, I am up for the challenge and it demonstrates to my family that you can accomplish great things with some hard work.

When did you join the COBS Bread family? Why did you decide to open a COBS Bread bakery?

We joined the team in February 2021 and began the process of becoming a COBS Bread franchisee. We love fresh baked products and the wonderful environment of a bakery that consists of happy people and great tasting goodies!

What are you looking forward to about your new bakery?

We are looking forward to meeting the local community and forming lasting relationships with our customers. While along the way, we are looking forward to being a contributing member of the community.

What charity did you pick and why for your community day?

We actually have several local groups that we will support through the End of Day Giving Program. This includes groups that help those in shelters, church groups that support communities in need, as well as small grass root community groups that support those that are struggling with mental health, addiction and homelessness.

Before joining COBS, were you much of a baker?

I like to bake desserts, who doesn’t love desserts? Before joining COBS Bread, I was not a professional baker, but I am now!

How are you planning on getting involved in the community?

We believe that having a warm and welcoming bakery is the key – inviting our community groups and customers to see and experience the bakery. We hope that in the nicer weather time, we can have some outdoor events, while navigating through the current health emergency.

Join Lisa and her team on December 17 for the opening of COBS Bread Big Bay Point! If you are interested in opening your own COBS Bread bakery, inquire today.

The post Meet Lisa, Franchisee of COBS Bread Big Bay Point in Barrie, ON appeared first on COBS Bread.

Through COBS Bread’s End of Day Giving Program, Kevin has been partnering with Kerr Street Mission to donate leftover bread and baked treats to communities in need. Located in Oakville, Kerr Street Mission is a local charity that is committed to helping people in difficulty and distress with one-on-one support and engagement. The charitable organization has been very prominent in the community and offers many valuable resources to support those in need. This includes, such as children’s programs, youth development opportunities, family care support and more.

Instead of partnering with a variety of organizations, Kevin decided to partner with only one group because he believes that there is a greater impact of doing so. This is because efforts are more concentrated and the bakery is able to make a bigger difference in the community.

Lakeshore also works with Kerr Street Mission to host a variety of bakery-lead community initiatives throughout the year. During the holiday season, the bakery hosted a food drive for the group between November 30^th, 2021, to December 7^th, 2021, to collect non-perishable food items for the many food programs that Kerr Street Mission provides for the community.

“During this time of the year, it is a time of celebration and gatherings for most of us. However, for many in our community, it is a real time of struggle to provide for their families. It is important to be a real part of the community that we operate in, and help where we can,” says Kevin, the Lakeshore Bakery Owner.

Throughout the food drive, large donation boxes were wrapped like Christmas gifts and could be easily seen through the bakery window. On Giving Tuesday, the bakery also gave a free loaf of bread to anyone who donated that day. In total, the team collected over 500lbs of non-perishable food items. Congratulations Kevin and the Lakeshore team!

Kevin truly embodies the COBS Bread passion of making a difference in the community. He believes that giving back is more than just donating leftover bread to those in need, it is also about building meaningful relationships with the community by doing as much as we can to support others.

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We’re so happy to introduce Kate, the proud owner of our newest bakery located in Scarborough, Ontario. Kate is passionate, community focused and a real go-getter. She is the perfect addition to our COBS Bread family and we’re so excited to have her on our team. Keep reading to learn a little more about Kate, what led her to this journey and how she plans on giving back to her community.

What did you do before becoming a COBS Bread bakery owner?

Very interesting question indeed! I did a lot of different things. My initial education was in Property or Estate Management but my first real job was in Corporate Banking – this was in my country of birth, Nigeria. I immigrated to Canada in 2003 and started in career in health care, first as a registered nurse and then as a nurse practitioner. I decided in 2019 that I wanted to give entrepreneurship a go and I couldn’t think of a better partner than COBS Bread and here we are!!! I am about to open my first bakery and the first COBS in the Scarborough area!

When did you join the COBS Bread family? Why did you decide to go with COBS?

I officially joined the COBS Bread family as a trainee franchisee in March 2021.

I decided to open a COBS Bread Bakery for a number of reasons. First, I love COBS Bread!!! Second, I share all the values and ideals that has distinguished COBS Bread from others – freshness, passion, quality, and community. Third, who does not like fresh baked goods? I saw the COBS Bread business model as one that filled a real gap in the community and therefore, will be less vulnerable to economic uncertainty.

What are you looking forward to about your new bakery?

I am looking forward to baking wonderful loaves, and treats every day for our community. I am also looking forward to creating jobs and opportunity in the community but most importantly, I am looking forward to engaging with the community and giving back.

Before joining COBS, were you much of a baker?

No!!! I was not much of a baker at all!!! Let’s say I cooked much more than I baked.

How are you planning on getting involved in the community?

I am planning on being very actively involved with the community not just through our End of Day Giving program, but being visible at other community events and in local schools. We will be supporting appropriate local events by providing some of our delicious baked treats!  As the bakery operator, I have also adopted a strategy of hiring really local, with a goal of 60% of our staff being from within a 5 to 8km radius of the bakery and we are working closely with community agencies to support that effort!!!

What charity are you partnering with for Community Day?

We are partnering with Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of East Scarborough. BGC East Scarborough seeks to provide a holistic approach as it supports children, youth and families to pursue healthy lifestyles, personal competency, self-esteem, social and cultural integration and a sense of belonging.

I chose BGC East Scarborough because I know the important role played by community organizations in supporting families. As a new immigrant to Canada in 2003, I certainly benefited from programs and services offered in the community. In addition, as a nurse practitioner, I can attest to the benefits of organizations such as BGC East Scarborough in supporting families, youth and vulnerable populations in our city. They are an important part of what it takes to build healthy, diverse, and vibrant communities!!!

And a couple of questions, just for fun!

If you were a treat or loaf from COBS, which one would you be and why?

Sourdough loaf! Tough and crusty on the outside but full of flavor on the inside!

What’s in your favourite sandwich?

My favorite sandwich is an avocado and egg sandwich made with COBS Higher Fibre Loaf!

What’s your favourite baking pun or joke?

Bake it till you make it.

Join Kate and her team on September 8 for Community Day at COBS Bread Morningside Crossing! If you’re interested in opening your own COBS Bread bakery, inquire today.

The post Meet Kate, Your New Local Bakery Owner in Scarborough, Ontario appeared first on COBS Bread.

We are so excited to welcome Mark to the COBS Bread family! Mark is the proud owner of our newest bakery located in Toronto, Ontario. He is a happy-go-lucky guy who is passionate about baking and people– the perfect combo.  Keep reading to learn a little more about what led and prepared him for his new journey.

What did you do before becoming a COBS Bread bakery owner?

I have been a paramedic since 1997 and was with the Toronto Paramedic Services since June 1999.

When did you join the COBS Bread family? Why did you decide to go with COBS?

I guess the official date that I joined the COBS family was on July 14, 2021, when I took possession of my brand-new bakery!  However, my journey to COBS started in 2020.  I was on leave after being diagnosed with PTSD.  I realized that as much as I love being a paramedic, it was time to turn to my other passion: baking and cooking.  It was always a dream to open a small café or bakery after retirement.  After researching COBS Bread, I knew this company was the one for me.  What sealed the deal was the End of Day Giving program.

What are you looking forward to about your new bakery?

I am very excited to continue developing a close-knit, friendly team.  I want to create an environment where everyone enjoys being at work.  I look forward to being able to interact with our customers and surrounding communities.  What I am most looking forward to is being able to donate high quality products to help feed those who are in need.  I have seen firsthand how far a little help can go.  I am happy that I am still able to help those in a time of need; no longer as a paramedic, but as a baker and small business owner.

Before joining COBS, were you much of a baker?

I started baking and cooking as a child at my mother’s side, and never stopped.  I truly love to create new recipes– and feed as many people as possible!  It is hard to describe how great the feeling is when people compliment my creations.

How are you planning on getting involved in the community?

I plan to continue working with my friends and medical colleagues supporting front line mental health, cancer research, women and family shelters, and the LGBTQ2 community.  I plan to work closely with my Area Manager and COBS to create and support as many public initiatives as possible. I will continue my connections with Paramedics for a Cure, CUPE Local 416, I’ve Got your Back 911.

And a couple of questions, just for fun!

If you were a treat or loaf from COBS, which one would you be and why?

Definitely a Challah loaf.  On the outside it looks big and imposing; but on the inside it’s soft and sweet.

What’s in your favourite sandwich?

Ooooh…thick slice whole wheat, lightly toasted, herb/garlic aioli, crisp lettuce & tomato, paper thin sweet onions; slow smoked turkey breast and ham, deli pickle on the side!!

Now I’m craving that sandwich…. gotta go!

Visit Mark and his team at COBS Bread The Queensway!

If you’re interested in opening your own COBS Bread bakery, inquire today!

The post New Franchisee Mark Was a Paramedic and a Baker at Heart appeared first on COBS Bread.

Bishwa Pati is one of several franchisees this year who is doubling their bakery count! Bishwa became a multi-site franchisee at the beginning of July 2021, when he took over the COBS Bread bakery at Calgary’s Glenmore Landing. He has been with COBS Bread since 2016, when he first opened the Marda Loop bakery.

We had a quick chat with Bishwa (in his words, things are a little hectic right now- but good!) to find out what he’s learned about being a multi-site owner.

Plan Your Staffing & Invest Time In Your Team

First thing’s first- to run to bakeries, you need to have the people-power to do it!

Bishwa’s Bakery Manager from Marda Loop has been with him since the bakery opened 5 years ago. “Pravesh is my right-hand at the bakery,” says Bishwa. Pravesh also helped train Mohan, who started at the bakery over three years ago. With that training, he is also in the position to run a bakery. Having these two reliable and knowledgeable bakery leaders allows Bishwa to have the confidence that he could run two bakeries up to his and his customers’ expectations. Pravesh is now at Glenmore most of the time, and Mohan is able to step up and maintain the operations at Marda Loop.

Product Quality

With the assurance of having a strong leaders at the helm, Bishwa knew he was in a great position to be able to train up a new team of bakers.  These bakers need to be able to achieve that all-important product consistency COBS Bread is known for.

As a proud baker, business owner– not to mention a reputable pastry chef-– this was monumentally important for Bishwa. “I was feeling a bit stressed out at the thought of hiring new bakers,” he recalls. “But they are already doing such a great job. They’re passionate about learning about how to make beautiful French baguettes and sourdough, among all the other treats. They all love the part when you place the cuts on the dough before they go in the oven.”

Community Preferences

While COBS Bread bakeries have a core product range that they all make, the quantity will vary from bakery to bakery, depending on customer needs. “I was surprised at the difference in bread preferences of the customers between the two bakeries at first. ” Bishwa noted that although Sourdough is a customer favourite at Marda Loop, to his surprise, it is not the same case at Glenmore. “But the team has been making more Sourdough, and it’s so eye-catching and delicious… it’s starting to fly off the shelves!”

There is definitely a theme we are recognizing from our multi-site franchisees: they set operational and financial goals for their first bakery, and get the right people in the right roles when expanding to their second location. Focusing on product quality, with a passionate and committed team, and listening to different communities needs and preferences, is another recipe for success we have learnt from Bishwa and many others.

If you’re interested in franchising with COBS Bread, inquire today!

The post The Tale of Bishwa’s Two Bakeries appeared first on COBS Bread.

Check out their video below, and read on below to learn more about how the Cripps are contributing to the community of Dartmouth.

What did you do before working at COBS?

Prior to working with COBS, Rebecca worked in the culinary field, and Ben worked towards completing two degrees at Cape Breton University. We both adore food, and grew up baking with our late grandmother. We cannot wait to introduce our delicious products to this new market and celebrate fresh in Dartmouth this summer.

When did you join the COBS Bread family?

We first reached out to COBS in 2018 and began our journey. I (Rebecca) moved to Toronto for  months to complete training and learn all the tips and tricks. Ben joined me to focus on sales, and as a team we completed our training program. From there, we opened our Bedford location in February 2020. With the help of our generous community and wonderful staff, we are grateful to keep our doors open during the trying times associated with COVID-19.

Why did you decide to open a COBS Bread bakery?

We decided to open a COBS Bread because they offered us an opportunity to do what we love and work together as a family. COBS has given us the chance to help those in need with our End Of Day giving program which assists local charities with food donations. This is something we are very proud of and pride ourselves on giving back.

Before joining COBS, were you much of a baker?

Prior to joining COBS, I (Rebecca) worked in the culinary industry and did a lot of baking in my spare time. Baking has been a way for me to destress, and is something especially important to me. Ben wasn’t always a baker, but in the past few years he has really enjoyed learning the ropes!

How are you planning on getting involved in the community?

We have met a lot of great members of our community with the charity events we have done thus far. We have fundraises for Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank, Freedom Kitchen and Closet, and Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission. In total we were able to raise over $15,000 and we look forward to working with new charities at our Dartmouth Location.

In addition to that, both Ben and I adore animals, and began sponsoring a kennel at the SPCA in Dartmouth last year. We will be sponsoring another one with the opening of Tacoma Plaza. These dollars go toward care, food, and medical treatments for animals in need.

If you were a treat or loaf from COBS, which one would you be and why? 

Ben: I am a Fun Bun; I am sweet, fun, and ready to celebrate

Rebecca: I am a Cheese and Chive Scone because I pair well with everything!

What’s in your favourite sandwich?

Ben: Montreal smoked meat on COBS Bread Sourdough with honey mustard, sauerkraut, and swiss cheese.

Rebecca: Mixed meat sub at 2 Boys Smokehouse & Deli, a local butcher shop with amazing sandwiches!  Always extra cucumber, cheese, toasted, honey mustard. It’s the real deal.

Thinking of opening a COBS Bread bakery in your community? Click to inquire today to start the process!

The post Meet the Cripps – AGAIN! Franchisees of COBS Bread in Dartmouth, NS appeared first on COBS Bread.