The New York City-based PopUp Bagels franchise, which started in a Connecticut home kitchen and grew to be a viral hit, announced today that it has closed an $8 million capital raise to fund future growth and expand its executive team.
PopUp Bagels was started in Westport during the pandemic by Adam Goldberg, who “thought the bagel could use improvement.”
The product has since gained viral popularity from social media influencers with more than 10 million product views on TikTok, long lines at the city shop and celebrity fans.
The company won the Brooklyn Bagelfest’s “Best Bagel” two years in a row.
The latest funding round was led by Stripes, a New York City-based growth equity firm that has funded iconic brands like Levain Bakery and Erewhon Organic Grocer.Â
PopUp engaged in a significant capital raise last year led by Hollywood producer and food concept investor John Davis. The funding allowed the company to, among other things, expand its retail footprint in Greenwich, Conn., and Greenwich Village.
Investors in a previous round included Darren Rovell’s Tastemaker Capital and Habitat Partners, the investment arm of Red Antler, also returned to coinvest.
PopUp Bagels also offers artisan schmears, like Utz Cheese Ball Cream Cheese or Bowery Farms Basil Pesto Butter, with flavors and brand collaborations changing weekly.
