Allison Chavez Expands Crêpe Franchise with a Focus on Mentorship and Female Leadership
Allison Chavez has always had a passion for food, culture and entrepreneurship. As the co-founder and CEO of Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, she’s not only built a thriving fast-casual brand but also inspires and supports other women in business.
Her drive and vision led her to launch Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café in 2012, and the brand has since grown to 15 locations across Texas, Florida, Minnesota, and Mexico — with more on the way. “Crêpes are beloved worldwide, yet we found they were surprisingly difficult to find at home,” says Chavez. “Recognizing an opportunity, I took a leap of faith, leaving behind my corporate career to bring this concept to life.”
Chavez, who met her husband and business partner, Ivan, at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, originally pursued a career in finance. Together, the couple turned their shared love for travel and global flavors into a restaurant brand that has gained a devoted following for its sweet and savory crêpes (the menu also includes paninis, salads, and cocktails!) and its Instagram-worthy vibe. “We never thought we’d be in the restaurant business,” she says.
The Making of a Crêpe Franchise
As demand grew, Chavez quickly recognized that franchising was the next natural step, allowing the couple to empower other entrepreneurs while expanding their vision on a national scale.
“From the beginning, we approached Sweet Paris with an entrepreneurial mindset, elevating the café experience within a fast-casual format,” she says.
It’s a trending format, too. According to a 2024 report by research firm Technavio, the fast-casual segment is expected to grow by 13.7 percent by 2029, driven by consumer desire for the kind of innovative and customized experience the couple has created.
Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has been included in Restaurant Business’s 2023 Future 50 and Entrepreneur magazine’s Top New and Emerging Franchises list. Chavez was named to Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Power List of 50 people with big ideas to transform the hospitality industry.
One of the ways she’s doing that is by fostering an environment at Sweet Paris where women can thrive. Nearly 70% of Sweet Paris’ workforce is made up of women.
“Whether it’s through leadership positions in our corporate team, franchise ownership opportunities, or mentorship within our organization, we actively empower women to grow their careers in hospitality and franchising,” she says.
Female Entrepreneurship and Mentorship
According to Pew Research, in 2023 just 10.6% of Fortune 500 companies were led by a woman CEO. And when it comes to ownership, women-owned businesses are also a minority. According to the National Restaurant Association, in 2024, just 34% of restaurant firms were majority-owned by women. “The restaurant industry can be demanding, and as a woman, I’ve had to navigate a space where leadership is often male-dominated,” Chavez notes.
Franchising, she says, is an excellent path for female entrepreneurship, particularly because it comes with the support of a proven system. “My advice is to do thorough research, align with a brand that shares your values, and build a strong network of support,” she says. That support should include a mentor, something Chavez says was pivotal in her journey as an entrepreneur.
“We need more women in leadership, and mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to make that happen,” she says. “Women thrive when they have access to mentors and strong support networks. Surrounding yourself with other female entrepreneurs, learning from their experiences, and paying that forward to the next generation creates a cycle of success.”
That mentality has been borne out time and again at the crêpe franchise, where Chavez reports that some of her most successful franchisees and team members are women. “They bring incredible vision and dedication to the brand.”
‘We’re just getting started’
From one hip Houston café to an expanding crêpe franchise, Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has stayed true to its central mission: to be a brand that is as inspiring as it is successful.
For foodies, the cafés are a destination for a sweet Cookie Butter crepe, a savory LeMexicain (inspired by Ivan’s Mexican heritage) or maybe an Allison’s Parfait, but beyond the batter, there is a deep core of people-driven leadership and a commitment to empowering women. And as the crêpe franchise continues to grow, Chavez says that commitment is unwavering.
“Sweet Paris is on an exciting growth trajectory, and women will continue to play a significant role in shaping our future,” she says.
“I take pride in supporting our franchisees and helping small business owners from all backgrounds build something of their own. Seeing Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café flourish has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and we’re just getting started.”
For more information about the Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café franchise opportunity, visit the company’s website.
