PopUp Bagels, which has gained a cult-like following with customers waiting hours for fresh, hot bagels, is dramatically expanding its Florida footprint.
The Connecticut-based takeout-only bagel shop that prides itself on being “not famous, but known” plans to open more than 30 Florida locations, the company told USA Today Network. There are currently six in Florida, five of which opened in 2025.
Born during Covid in 2020 out of founder Adam Goldberg’s kitchen, PopUp Bagels is a social media phenomenon known for its fresh bagels and no-frills menu.
The franchise has 30 stores located in 10 states, plus Washington D.C. Most states only have one or two stores, except for New York, which has nine and Florida’s six and counting
There are plans for the brand to have 100 new locations opened by the end of 2027.
“Our goal is simple: to make you the best, freshest bagels,” according to its website. “No frills, plainly perfect: crispy crust and soft crumb center, just the right size and with a perfect proportion of seeds.”
Looking ahead, PopUp Bagels will continue its Florida expansion with 30+ locations across Florida, including Orlando, Miami, Viero Beach, and more.
Where is PopUp Bagels planning to open in Florida?
Company officials confirmed a Miami and Orlando location will open this spring.
Another location is planned for Rockledge, in the Viera area, however an opening date has not been announced. The owner of the Jacksonville franchise said he plans to expand in the area opening no “less than three.”
Where is PopUp Bagels located in Florida?What is PopUp Bagels known for?
There are just five bagel flavors on the menu: everything, sesame, salt, plain and poppy seed.
Aside from the bagels, the schmears are a must. The standard three flavors are plain, slated butter and scallion. There also are two rotating flavors each week. Past flavors include Cranberry Butter with Ocean Spray, Pickle de Gallo Schmear with Grillo’s Pickles and Mac & Cheese Cream Cheese with Kraft.
PopUp Bagels known for not slicing bagels
The advice when eating a PopUp Bagel is to “Grip, Rip and Dip.”
It’s sparked some online controversy, but PopUp Bagels does not slice its goods. Instead, the suggestion is to grip the warm, round bagel, rip off a hunk and dip it into one of the schmears.
“When we started baking bagels in my backyard, I never imagined we’d turn it into a national brand,” founder Goldberg said in a news release. “We weren’t trying to start a business — we just wanted to make something great and share it with friends. The idea of hitting 300 stores is surreal, but the real achievement is building a company that still feels like that: small, connected, and full of energy.”
Teresa Stepzinski, the dining reporter for the Times-Union, contributed to this report.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: PopUp Bagels opening new locations in Florida cities. See where