Rise Into Ownership

We're looking for passionate entrepreneurs who want to bring handcrafted bread and small-town warmth to the neighborhoods they love.

Ready to Franchise

Bring Great Harvest to Your Town by Completing the Form Below

*Required Information

Our History

In 1976, Pete and Laura Wakeman opened the first Great Harvest in Great Falls, Montana after falling in love with “Big Sky Country.” They sourced wheat from Montana’s family farms and milled it fresh each day, laying the foundation for the nation’s original bakery café concept.

Today, each bakery café continues that tradition with a focus on handcrafted bread, wholesome food, and authentic connections within the communities they serve.

male Great Harvest franchisee stands in a field of wheat

Why Great Harvest?

We are the only baked-fresh-daily franchise concept featuring only Montana, USA wheat!

The exterior of a Great Harvest Bread Company in Vermont

Average Unit Volume

$948,105

Everything Baked Fresh Daily
Diverse Menu Offerings
Unmatched Quality
Super-Loyal Customer Base

= We Train You to Win

The exterior of a Great Harvest Bread Company in Buchanan, Michigan

Create It

Build Options

Grow Your Empire
One Bakery Cafe
Multiple Units
Non-Traditional Space

= Leverage Our 50 years of Franchising

Image of a franchisee cheerfully buttering a loaf of bread

Streams of Income

Playbook for Success

Flexible Income Streams
Community Partnerships
Local and National Marketing Support

= Let's Make Bread Together

Taste the GREAT HARVEST difference!

FAQs

Am I required to work in the business?

At first, yes. But once you've assembled a well-trained and competent team, you can focus on things like additional units, increasing catering, wholesale accounts, farmer's markets, etc.

What are typical store hours?

Great Harvest Bakery Cafes are open on-average seven days a week anytime from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Do I need to own my real estate, and do you assist with build out, design, etc.?

You do not need to own your building; however, some franchisees do. We assist in the real estate hunt, lease negotiation, design and build out of your Great Harvest.

Does Great Harvest provide training?

Yes! You will attend a comprehensive training that will cover everything from business ownership to baking and everything in between.

Our Revolutionary Process

Since 1976, Great Harvest has set the industry standard by providing fresh-baked breads, goodies and more using only Montana-grown wheat.

Week 1-2
Discovery call and FDD review
Week 3-4
Application
Months 2-3
Franchise Agreement, Site Selection and Development

Backed by Our Franchisees

“When we were exploring a life change 20 years ago, we were looking for something our whole family could be part of—something that would connect us deeply to our community while offering a truly unique, high-quality product. Great Harvest has been all of that and more. The franchise has provided the resources and support we need, while still allowing us the flexibility to run our bakery in a way that best serves our local community.”

Jerry & Janet Lecy

Harvesting in Lafayette, Indiana

Jerry and Janet Lecy, Great Harvest franchise owners

“Owning a Great Harvest bakery has been nothing short of transformational—for our family, our team, and our community. What started as a dream to build something meaningful has become a deeply rooted part of our daily lives. The opportunity to blend hand-crafted food with heart-centered service has given us purpose beyond just running a business. ... The Great Harvest model has given us the tools and freedom to create a bakery that reflects our values—where kindness matters, quality is never compromised, and people genuinely feel at home. We’ve built lasting relationships with customers, partnered with local organizations, and created jobs that have helped people grow not just professionally, but personally.”

Elise, Katie, & Kodiak Smith

Harvesting in Northwest, Indiana