The first bakery was in Hawthorn, Melbourne and is still going strong today

The First Slice

In 1988 the Gillespies owned 15 bakeries; quietly confident about their proven formula, they began to franchise these bakeries and by 1991, grew to 43 bakeries. In the next two years, Bakers Delight expanded to 200 bakeries and just ten years later, 600. Today there are over 700 bakeries across three countries.

In 1991 the first franchise outside of Victoria was opened in Adelaide, South Australia. Just two years later Bakers Delight expanded to New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. In 1995 Bakers Delight went international, opening bakeries in New Zealand. And, in 2003 saw expansion into Canada under the COBS Bread brand.

The name ‘Bakers Delight’ originated from the belief that every baker should be delighted by the product they bake and that every customer should be delighted by the service they receive. This belief drives Bakers Delight's current day practices and culture.

Major milestones and events

2012 - Winner of Franchise Council Australia Award.

Joan ne and Maurice Patterson of Bakers Delight Caneland (QLD)Win the National Franchise Community Service Award through Franchise Council of Australia for their continued support of BCNA and their service to locals during the 2011 floods.

2011 - Raising Money for BCNA – Pink Buns

Thanks to the generous contribution from Bakers Delight and local communities the Pink Bun campaign has again been a resounding success - raising a whopping $950,000 to be donated to Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

2010 - Bakers Delight wins LA Judge Award
Local baker Ashley Toth, has been voted the most outstanding baking apprentice across Australia and New Zealand, taking out the prestigious 43rd 2010 LA Judge Baking Award hosted by the Baking Industry Association.

2010 - Raising money for BCNA - Pink Buns

Bakers Delight Pink Bun campaign raises more than $800,000 for BCNA. BCNA CEO at the time, Lyn Swinburne AM said 2010's fundraising achievement is a fantastic way to celebrate 10 years of incredible support from the team at Bakers Delight.

2004 - Bakers Delight wins LA Judge Award 2004

Joel Benbow of Bakers Delight in Nedlands has won the nation’s most prestigious baking award: the LA Judge Baking Award.

2003 - Bakers Delight opens in Canada

November 2003 saw expansion into Canada under the COBS Bread brand, opening the first bakery in Edgemont, Canada. After 12 months 11 company owned bakeries were opened, and 16 bakeries in 2005 after an 18 month presence in Canada. Bakers Delight now has over 60 bakeries delighting Canadians every day!

2003 - Bakers Delight wins LA Judge Award

Being crowned the LA Judge winner is a fantastic reinforcement of a baker’s skill and commitment and we are so proud of Andrew and his achievements and look forward to him being a future leader in Bakers Delight,” Bakers Delight Founder and Executive Chairman, Roger Gillespie said.

2002 - Winner - Australian Franchise System of the Year 2002

Bakers Delight's achievement in building a successful business based on growing successful franchises, has been recognised by the FCA. Bakers Delight was voted the 'Australian Franchise System of the Year'

2001 - Winner - Australian Franchise System of the Year 2001

1999 - Bakers Delight BCNA partnership starts

Since 1999 Bakers Delight has raised more than $6.5 million for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), directly supporting thousands of Australian women and their families through their breast cancer journey.

1995 - Bakers Delight opens in New Zealand

In November 1995 Bakers Delight went international, opening the Pakuranga Bakers Delight in New Zealand, followed by numerous other bakeries across NZ.

1993 - Bakers Delight expands nationally

In 1993, Bakers Delight expanded nationally and opened Bridgepoint, New South Wales in April; Cannon Hill, Queensland in September; and Subiaco, Western Australia in October.

1991 - Bakers Delight expands outside of Victoria

In 1991 the first interstate franchise was opened in Adelaide, South Australia.

1988 - Franchising concept was embraced

In 1988 the franchising concept was embraced. At this time Roger and Lesley owned 15 bakeries. “We realised that we would need a different management structure... this lead to our investigation and research into the franchising industry,” Lesley says.

1980 - Bakers Deight was founded on May 1, 1980

In 1980 Bakers Delight was founded by fourth generation baker and current CEOs Roger and Lesley Gillespie, together with Gary Stephenson. The first bakery was in Hawthorn, Melbourne and is still going strong today. The name ‘Bakers Delight’ originated from the belief that every baker should be delighted by the product they bake and that every customer should be delighted by the service they receive. This belief drives Bakers Delight's current day practices and culture.