Cincinnati's morning routine is set for a shakeup, as Bruegger's Bagels will be closing all locations across the city to pave the way for a market-wide rebrand. These well-known bagel shops are being transformed into Einstein Bros. Bagels, a transition overseen by parent company Bagel Brands, which is backed by the German conglomerate JAB, owning entities such as Panera Brands. According to the FOX19 reports
According to reports from the FOX19, this rebranding will span from October to the winter of 2026. Adam Modzel, chief operating officer of Bagel Brands, stated that renovations are intended to provide an "Elevate the Morning" bakery design for Einstein Bros. that promotes a welcoming atmosphere. The hope is to showcase the brand's rich character as well as its array of fresh-baked bagels.
Locations such as Madeira, Blue Ash, Clifton, and Columbia Tusculum are slated for a rebrand by the end of this year. The process for the existing Einstein Bros. outlet in West Chester is projected to extend into 2026, while the Bruegger's at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport anticipates a winter 2026 reopening as Einstein Bros. Yet, not all sites will make the transition, the Bruegger's inside Hyde Park Plaza on Paxton Avenue is set to permanently shut its doors at the end of 2025, as Modzel indicated in statements obtained by local news outlets.
The choice to transition these locations comes from Bagel Brands' assessment of future growth prospects, as noted by LOCAL12. Einstein Bros. is recognized for its softer bagels, which Modzel believes provide the perfect base for the brand's breakfast sandwiches and extensive selection of double-whipped cream cheese shmears. Despite the change, Modzel assures that the essence of the bagel – a fixture since Bruegger's inception in 1983 in Troy, New York – will remain a defining feature of their food offerings.
With approximately 190 Bruegger's locations still peppering the nation, Cincinnati's transformation presents a test bed for the company's new vision. The outcome of this initiative could very well influence the fate of these remaining Bruegger's sites across the United States. However, for the moment, it seems that the Cincinnati market will spearhead this wave of change in the bagel landscape, becoming the pioneer in the company's crafting of a fast-casual experience centered around the love for a good bagel in the morning.
