Published in L´Express Franchise , 02 - April , 2025 Franchises of Spain

Manolo Bakes: The Brand Behind “Sweet Manolitos”
Manolo Bakes is a Spanish bakery chain famous for its small croissants, sold under the name “Manolitos.” They offer up to eight different types (with orange, pistachio, biscuit, etc.), and other savory variations that include onion or smoked salmon, among other ingredients. Although it was once a powerful and expanding franchise, they no longer use this system in Spain but do operate internationally.

The brand opened its first store in 2018 in Madrid, an evolution of the traditional Madrid bakery founded by the Manzano family, who for years handcrafted baked goods in the town of Colmenar Viejo, also in Madrid. Later, Pablo Nuño Utande, the current CEO, transformed this family tradition into a rapidly expanding brand.

Model Change in 2024
Last year, Manolo Bakes reached an agreement with its franchisees to acquire establishments using this model, as part of a new business vision, according to the specialized restaurant news outlet Sivarious. Therefore, they are now investing in their own locations in Spain.

Franchises for International Croissant Expansion
The bakery chain recently took its first international leap with the opening of several outlets in Lisbon, Portugal, where it plans to expand with more stores in the coming years, according to Sivarious. This outlet also notes that they intend to open other stores in the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East. With all this, Manolo Bakes continues to strengthen its presence as one of the most promising companies in the contemporary bakery and coffee shop sector.

Requirements to Open a Manolo Bakes Franchise
The profile of the ideal entrepreneur that Manolo Bakes was looking for had to be absolutely committed to quality standards and customer service. The brand particularly valued people with experience in commercial management or catering, and with a clear identification with the company's culture and corporate values, according to our sources. Will they seek the same type of profile in their international expansion?

Currently, Manolo Bakes has decided to buy back its franchises to maintain a completely independent and consistent operation. At L'Express Franchise, we asked Manolo Bakes if they would rule out returning to the franchise model in Spain, but we have not yet received a response.

What investment does a Manolo Bakes franchisee require?
Since opening new franchises is not available in Spain, this information is not available. However, to get an idea of ​​the minimum investment required, you can look at the costs of other similar businesses.