San Diego Entrepreneurs Launching 10 New PopUp Bagels Locations

News Summary

Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman have signed a franchise deal to open ten PopUp Bagels locations in San Diego County, with the first expected in La Jolla by 2025. After experiencing their unique bagels in New York, the duo aims to replicate the East Coast bagel trend in a region hungry for fresh offerings. The locations will be strategically placed to avoid internal competition and cater to community preferences. PopUp Bagels stands out with its warm, freshly baked bagels served without cuts, igniting excitement among local bagel enthusiasts.

San Diego Entrepreneurs to Introduce 10 PopUp Bagels Locations

San Diego entrepreneurs Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman have secured a franchise agreement to establish ten PopUp Bagels locations across San Diego County, with plans to open the first site in La Jolla by the end of 2025. This exciting venture is expected to create a buzz in the local food scene, aimed at replicating the New York City bagel phenomenon that has captured customers’ attention.

Successful Franchise Partnership

Griffin Thall, an alumnus of San Diego State University (SDSU), discovered PopUp Bagels during a trip to New York City in 2024, where he first experienced their baked-to-order products. Intrigued by the brand’s popularity shared on social media, Thall partnered with fellow SDSU graduate Paul Goodman to delve deeper into the business opportunity. After tasting the uniquely prepared bagels and meeting with the company’s corporate team, they finalized their franchise deal just three months later.

Strategic Growth Plan

The entrepreneurs plan to roll out the ten locations over five years, carefully considering the pricing and placement of each site to prevent competition among their own stores. Thall has expressed a desire to situate the locations in desirable neighborhoods, catering to an eager community looking for quality bagel options.

Distinctive Offerings of PopUp Bagels

PopUp Bagels distinguishes itself in the market by providing warm bagels that are served fresh from the oven and not cut in half, creating a distinctive texture that is both crisp on the outside and airy on the inside. Unlike traditional New York-style bagels, the brand has carved a niche for itself and has gained a viral reputation as it encourages customers to enjoy their bagels with spreads instead of in sandwich form. Patrons can purchase bagels in packs of three, six, or twelve, typically accompanied by one or two cream cheese options. Prices range from $13 to $15 for a package of three bagels paired with a spread.

Growing Presence and Popularity

PopUp Bagels has already established its presence in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, along with seasonal pop-up locations in areas like the Hamptons and Palm Beach, Florida. In addition to their upcoming San Diego locations, an additional franchise group has plans to open 25 PopUp Bagels locations in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. The brand has proved its popularity with a mobile van that recently operated at the Hotel Del Coronado, attracting significant crowds, with some customers waiting up to two hours for their bagels. Pre-orders for bagels at that location sold out in just two minutes, highlighting the excitement and high demand surrounding the product.

Background on PopUp Bagels

Founded by Adam Goldberg in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, PopUp Bagels opened its first permanent store in New York City in 2021. The brand’s innovative approach to serving fresh baked goods without traditional sandwich options has resonated with customers, leading to its rapid growth during a challenging economic time. The focus on fresh, high-quality bagels served without the usual trimmings has appealed to a diverse clientele looking for authentic New York flavors.

The franchise plans of Thall and Goodman signal not only their ambition to enrich the San Diego dining landscape but also the growing trend of East Coast bagel brands making their way to the West Coast. With more competitors, like H&H Bagels, also eyeing the San Diego market, the region is poised to become a hotspot for bagel enthusiasts.

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Additional Resources

• San Diego Union-Tribune: East Coast Bagel Brand Headed to San Diego
• Fox 5 San Diego: Pop-Up Bagel Business Opening in Encinitas
• GlobeNewswire: PopUp Bagels Expands into California
• Eater LA: Pop-Up Bagels Expansion
• Wikipedia: Bagel