NEW YORK — Startup bagel brand PopUp Bagels has closed an $8 million Series A funding round to support future growth and expand the company’s executive team. The funding round was led by New York City-based equity firm Stripes. Last year, the company also received funding from Hollywood producer and food concept investor John Davis, enabling the company to expand its retail footprint in Greenwich, Conn., and Greenwich Village.

The brand was created in the kitchen of founder Adam Goldberg during the COVID-19 pandemic in Westport, Conn. Mr. Goldberg began the business by having neighbors taste test his bagels, which quickly spread to other neighborhoods. Soon after, word got out, and his business boomed. Consumers began ordering bagels online days in advance and picking them up at select times and locations. 

“When I started all of this out of my home, it was just because I thought the bagel could use improvement,” Mr. Goldberg said. “I am so humbled by the response over the last year, from the hour-long lines that form to the simple first reactions in the most scrutinized market for this product. It was not long before I realized we needed to finance our operation to allow more of the world to experience the PopUp Bagel way.”

Enjoying this content? Learn about more disruptive startups on the Food Entrepreneur page.