Kazakhstan Cake Franchise Sweetens the Deal With Historic Grand Opening in Texas

On June 9, Happy Cake celebrated its grand opening in Sugar Land, TX, just south of Houston. With more than 150 outlets already operating throughout Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia, Happy Cake has become one of Kazakhstan’s most-successful confectionaries. And earlier this week, Happy Cake achieved a rare first by becoming the Central Asian country’s premier franchise brand to enter the United States.

More than 200 cake enthusiasts braved the blistering summer heat to join Happy Cake franchisees, Greater Houston area business leaders and city representatives in celebrating the chain’s newest and most anticipated opening on Sugar Land’s main thoroughfare, Highway 6.

Askhat Soltanov, the shop’s franchisee and founder of Happy Cake, shared Happy Cake’s humble beginnings as a home-based bakery started by his wife, Saule Soltanova, 11 years ago. “She’s our inspiration. She’s the one who started this business, and I am the one who joined this business,” he said of his wife’s central role in the launch and growth of Happy Cake.

He then thanked the crowd of attendees for their continued support throughout Happy Cake’s journey. “Initially, we were a small family bakery, where each cake was crafted with love,” he said, adding, “Despite our growth, our philosophy remains unchanged. Every cake is still baked by hand with the same passion.”

Their honey cake, soaked in sweet custard, the moist red velvet cake, with its creamy topping, and the chocolate jelly roll are just some of the examples of that passion Happy Cake was dishing out.

For patrons like Kamilla Abdulla, who lives in the area, Happy Cake stood out for its service as much as its delectables. “This place is a hidden gem!” she said, adding, “The service, décor and atmosphere are very welcoming and beautiful. I highly recommend this place. Our family will be returning for sure.”

Aruzhana Issakova, a 19-year-old employee of the cake shop took orders after the day’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. She shared how the day’s event exceeded her expectations in terms of client turnout and the number of Kazakhs that came to show their support. “I saw more my country’s people today than I have in the last two years combined,” she said.

Arna Akisheva, who resides in Houston shared a similar sentiment about how trying one of the cakes connected her to being back home in Kazakhstan. “It was like a piece of Kazakhstan is here for us,” she said of the cakes she and her family enjoyed.

City of Sugar Land Mayor Joe Zimmerman was on hand during a follow-up luncheon for all attendees hosted by Happy Cake. Zimmerman stated that Sugarland prides itself in Happy Cake having chosen the city as home for its first franchise location in the US. “We are a very welcoming city. We all different than other parts of the United States. We get along here,” he said.

Orhan Osman, president and CEO of American Turkic Business Council, an organization that builds commercial opportunities between the US and Turkic nations, congratulated the Kazakh community for their entry into the US market and Happy Cake’s potential in building a more robust public. “Together with all the Turkic community—Turkish businesses, Kazakh businesses, Kyrgyz, the entire Turkic community—together we are strong,” Osman said. “If Happy Cake is strong, we’re all going to be strong.”