PopUp Bagels Gets $8M Boost from Celebrity Investors for Southern Expansion

Armed with $8 million in new funding, PopUp Bagels plans to open in Charlotte, North Carolina in spring 2025. Celebrity backers Michael Phelps, Michael Strahan, JJ Watt, and Paul Rudd chipped in to support the expansion. The NY bagel spot teamed up with Power Brands Hospitality Group to launch in North Carolina. They're planning two Charlotte locations, with Raleigh in their sights next. The new Charlotte spots will offer fresh-baked bagels hot from the oven. Word is that Ballantyne might host one location, but they're keeping the exact spots quiet for now. They should spill the details in the coming weeks.

Tory Bartlett will take over as CEO starting September 30, 2024, leading the company's expansion plans. “PopUp Bagels has something truly special, and I'm excited to lead the brand through this next phase of national expansion,” Tony Bartlett said to whatnowcharlotte.com.

They're skipping the typical deli setup. Customers just grab their orders and head out. They'll take walk-in customers and pre-orders, and handle catering too. What began as Adam Goldberg's backyard venture during 2020 has grown into actual stores across New York City and Connecticut. They keep things simple, selling bagels in batches that customers pick up at specific times. They made a name for themselves winning "Best Bagel" at Brooklyn Bagelfest two years running. Their creative side shows up in special projects like their recent Butterfinger spread team-up.

Their winning formula? A pre-order system where folks pick up at set times. This smart setup helped turn a home cooking project into a Northeast hit in just four years. Now they're hoping to repeat that success down South.