With locations in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, PopUp Bagels is expanding fast. The super-streamlined bagel chain made news in South Florida with news of several company-owned locations planned for the area, but that’s not the only Florida-based buzz PopUp Bagels is driving right now.
The brand recently signed a 30-unit development deal with multi-concept franchisee Kal Gullapalli. Gullapalli, who is also a franchisee of restaurants like Marco’s Pizza and Dave’s Hot Chicken, will bring the brand to the Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville markets.
“After meeting with Adam and the entire PopUp team, we are thrilled to partner with them to grow the Florida market,” Kal Gullapalli said in coverage by QSR Magazine. “Florida deserves great bagels, and PopUp has the best product out there. We plan to open locations in Tampa and Orlando in 2025.”
What Now reached out Gullapalli on Thursday to inquire about plans for Tampa’s first opening. Gullapalli was not immediately available for comment, but PopUp Bagels founder Adam Goldberg has told What Now that an opening is expected this summer.
After being founded in 2021 in Connecticut as a pop-up, PopUp Bagels quickly began to grow in popularity. Before long, in 2023, the brand had launched its first brick-and-mortar bagel shop in Manhattan, and from there growth has proceeded apace. The menu is streamlined, with a total of five different bagel flavors: Plain, Poppy Seed, Salt, Sesame, and the perennial favorite, Everything. These are served up with Plain or Scallion Cream Cheese, plus constantly rotating limited-time smears.
You can keep up with PopUp Bagels news by following @popupbagels on Instagram.
