PopUp Bagels is rolling its cult-favorite "grip, rip, and dip" bagel routine into East Orlando, locking in a roughly 1,500-square-foot spot at Waterford Lakes Town Center and joining the fast-casual crowd that serves the nearby University of Central Florida.
Where it is landing
According to WhatNow, the Orlando location will take over about 1,500 square feet and is slated to sit next to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. The Waterford Lakes shop is part of a franchise agreement tied to MPZ Holdings LLC that aims to roll the concept out across Florida, although no opening date has been announced.
How PopUp serves bagels
Instead of the classic sliced-and-smeared approach, PopUp Bagels sells whole bagels by the bag and cream cheeses in tubs, encouraging customers to tear off pieces and dip. The company focuses on hot, small-batch baking and keeps a tight, rotating menu of limited-edition schmears, according to PopUp Bagels.
From backyard to a national push
Founder Adam Goldberg started baking bagels at home during the pandemic, then turned the backyard operation into a fast-growing brand that has since attracted growth capital and celebrity investors as it expanded beyond the Northeast, Restaurant Business reports. QSR Magazine notes the chain now counts roughly 30 locations nationwide, including a mix of company-owned and franchised shops.
Franchise partner and Florida rollout
MPZ Holdings, a multi-brand franchise operator that runs dozens of units for concepts such as Marco’s Pizza and Dave’s Hot Chicken, holds the Florida development rights for PopUp Bagels and is leading the regional rollout. Reporting from the USA TODAY Network - Florida says the plan could include more than 30 PopUp Bagels locations across the state.
The Waterford Lakes shop still does not have a public opening date, WhatNow notes, but the chain’s grab-and-go format and rotating schmears have triggered long lines at other new locations. Locals can expect a compact pickup-style setup with pre-order options rather than a full sit-down café.
