From a humble food truck to national recognition, celebrity chef Kristina Lavallee is prioritizing Florida for its first franchise locations, including Orlando, Miami, and Sarasota.
Kristina Lavallee, a nationally recognized Hispanic minority chef and founder of The Cake Girl, a brand featured on The Today Show, Entrepreneur Magazine, People, Telemundo, and more, has went from a food truck to a thriving bakery—and now, a national franchise opportunity.
Kristina's journey began with a single food truck, serving handcrafted cakes and mini cupcakes. As demand for her unique desserts grew, she opened a brick-and-mortar location, proving the resilience of her business model.
Despite economic challenges such as the pandemic and inflation, Kristina stayed adaptable, strengthening The Cake Girl's foundation with a focus on quality, creativity, and customer experience. Her success in scaling a profitable bakery has positioned The Cake Girl as a compelling franchise opportunity.
Kristina's expansion into franchising is driven by her passion for helping others succeed. She believes in providing aspiring entrepreneurs, especially minority and women business owners, with a roadmap to success through a scalable business model.
"I know firsthand the struggles of starting from nothing and building something meaningful. Franchising The Cake Girl isn't just about expansion—it's about creating opportunities for other passionate entrepreneurs, giving them the support and systems I wish I had in the beginning."
Minority-Owned Franchises: A Growing Trend
Kristina's success aligns with a larger trend in franchising. According to the International Franchise Association, minority-owned franchises account for 30.8% of all franchise businesses, and Hispanic entrepreneurs are among the fastest-growing segments.
Women-owned businesses are also on the rise, with a 58% increase in women franchise owners over the past decade. However, many minority and female entrepreneurs face barriers to entry in franchising—a gap Kristina aims to close with The Cake Girl's accessible, community-driven franchise model.
A report from the National Women's Business Council found that women-owned employer businesses increased from 9.8% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2023.
This steady growth underscores women's increasing role in franchising and business ownership, making The Cake Girl's expansion even more relevant.
Florida as a Key Market, With National Interest Growing
The Cake Girl is prioritizing Florida for its first franchise locations, including Orlando, Miami, and Sarasota. However, Kristina has received franchise inquiries from across the U.S., highlighting national demand for her brand.
"We've had interest in franchising for years, but we waited until we had a truly scalable, support-driven model. Now, we're identifying strategic franchise partners who align with our values and want to grow with us."
Franchise opportunities are currently available in select key markets nationwide. www.thecakegirl.com/franchise.
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