Business owners these days may find themselves thinking about how to open up more opportunities for financial growth. One small business owner in the capitol city has managed to figure that question out, as he plans to expand a North Dakota favorite.

Every morning employees at Bread Poets Baking Company start mixing from scratch. From the flour, to the dough, to kitchens across Western North Dakota.

And ten years after it first opened, this family-owned business is ready to take its specialty bread bakery concept to bigger ovens, across the country.

"About two years ago I recognized that what we`re doing can be replicated so that`s when we seriously started thinking about franchising as an avenue for growth," says owner Jon Lee.

This small Bismarck bakery is now registered to franchise in 37 states, which will help bring in revenue for both the bakery and for North Dakota.

"I`m excited to create a business that is bringing in new money from outside the state to North Dakota rather than just re-circulating the money which is what we essentially do in Bismarck. I`m excited about the prospects not only for Bread Poets but for Bismarck and our future as a community," he said.

Their Bismarck location will be the franchise head quarters. Trainees will spend one week at the bakery, training and learning day-to-day operations.

It`s a step Jon also says is one way to celebrate one of North Dakota`s greatest assets: the wheat farmers.

"Having a bread store located in Bismarck advertises to the rest of the country that they use North Dakota products just becomes kind of a nice ambassador for the state," said Jon.

Starting a franchise division is another way this shop is bringing home the dough.
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