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PopupBagels closes fundraising round led by Hollywood stars and Blaze Pizza, Wetzel’s Pretzels investor

The Connecticut-based bagel shop is being boosted by Hollywood producer John Davis, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Paul Rudd, Michael Phelps, Michael Strahan and more

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

November 29, 2022

1 Min Read
PopupBagels
PopupBagels started as a backyard popup and eventually blew up to become Brooklyn BagelFest’s “Best Bagel” two times over.PopupBagels

Joanna Fantozzi

Cult-favorite Connecticut-based bagel shop PopupBagels announced Tuesday that the brand just closed a fundraising seed round led by “I, Robot” and “Jungle Cruise” producer John Davis, who also invested in Blaze Pizza, Weztel’s Pretzels and Dave’s Hot Chicken.

Davis — along with Darren Rovell’s Tastemaker Capital, branding agency, Red Antler, and angel investors Matt LaCasse, Paul Applebaum, Sam Hendel, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Paul Rudd, JJ and TJ Watt, Michael Phelps, and Michael Strahan — raised an unspecified amount somewhere in the range of a “few million dollars” for the burgeoning bagel brand.

PopupBagels started as a backyard popup and eventually blew up to become Brooklyn BagelFest’s “Best Bagel” two times over. The shop only sells bagels in advance and customers can choose two “schmears” of cream cheese or other unique toppings like grilled scallion, dill pickle, Utz cheeseball, and chili crunch butter. The bagels have become so popular that online “reservations” to place an order sell out within minutes of being posted.

“PopupBagels started as a home kitchen project to share my love for baking, and a unique bagel recipe with friends,” said Adam Goldberg, founder of PopupBagels. “As word spread, customers began clamoring for our bagels and we began to expand our operation. I’m thrilled to have the support of many experienced investors as we prepare to scale.”

Related:Blaze Pizza chef Brad Kent to open fast-casual concept Bagel + Slice in Los Angeles

Currently, the bagels are available for order in Greenwich, Georgetown, Westport, and New York City. With the extra boost in funds, Goldberg and his team hope to expand their concept to regions around the country, starting in the Northeast.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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