New York City — What began as a pandemic side hustle has emerged as one of the most ambitious and in-demand new franchise brands in America. PopUp Bagels®, the Not Famous but Known® bagel company, has officially signed 300 new franchise locations, marking a major milestone for the brand.
PopUp Bagels is unique in the industry because it has no sandwiches and no toasters; all bagels are served hot from the oven, unsliced.
“When we started baking bagels in my backyard [in Westport, Conn.], I never imagined we’d turn it into a national brand,” says Adam Goldberg, founder of PopUp Bagels. “We weren’t trying to start a business — we just wanted to make something great and share it with friends. The idea of hitting 300 stores is surreal, but the real achievement is building a company that still feels like that: small, connected and full of energy.”
The 300-store plan spans 10 states to date, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, California and Maine — with the goal to reach 100 open locations by the end of 2027.
To maintain quality and consistency at scale, PopUp Bagels is building dedicated regional production hubs for bagels and schmear, ensuring every store delivers the same signature experience, regardless of zip code.
PopUp Bagels has reached this milestone with fewer than 15 franchise partners. That strategy — working only with highly vetted, best-in-class operators — has allowed the company to grow with purpose and precision.
“We’re not just opening stores — we’re redefining what it means to franchise,” says Tory Bartlett, CEO of PopUp Bagels. “We’re partnering with some of the most accomplished operators in the industry, and together we’re building a model rooted in connection, quality and long term success. This isn’t just scale — it’s a smarter way to grow.”
SOURCE: PopUp Bagels