Bakers Delight has unveiled a compact bakery concept at Camberwell Place in Victoria, a pilot designed to test whether smaller stores can pave the way for faster expansion. The initiative is central to the company’s ambition of growing its network from about 520 bakeries to 700 by the end of the decade.
The new format is built around a production space of just 38 square meters, managed by two bakers producing a streamlined menu of 54 core items. To make the model viable in tighter retail environments, the bakery uses a Metro Oven, a one-meter-wide rack oven with a self-condensing hood. The design eliminates the need for costly exhaust systems and reduces power requirements, addressing two of the largest barriers to entry for new sites.
In addition to baked goods, the Camberwell location has been equipped with features aimed at improving the customer experience. A self-serve coffee station caters to early morning visitors, a hot cabinet offers quick meals throughout the day, and a designated pick-up zone supports third-party delivery services. The combination is intended to extend the store’s appeal beyond traditional bakery transactions.
David Christie, joint chief executive of Bakers Delight, described the store as a proof of concept that will be closely monitored over the next six to twelve months. He said the format is designed to keep operational costs lower for franchisees while opening up opportunities in shopping centers and urban sites where larger bakeries are not feasible.
The Camberwell pilot underscores Bakers Delight’s approach of balancing tradition with innovation. By stripping down the model without compromising on core products, the company aims to create a format that is both economically efficient and scalable. If successful, the compact store could serve as a blueprint for the brand’s next phase of growth.
