Bagelstein has turned the humble bagel into a fast-food phenomenon, building a distinctive brand around freshly baked products, quirky humour and a lean, efficient operating model. For entrepreneurs looking to enter the food-service sector without the complexity of a traditional kitchen, this concept offers an interesting alternative worth exploring.
Franchise · Food & Catering
Bagelstein Franchise
Bagels delivered ready-baked, so the site runs without a full kitchen
£50,000
personal capital
£160kk
investment
96
UK locations
How much does a Bagelstein franchise cost?
Personal capital
Own funds required to complete the financing
£50,000
Total investment
Estimated total budget for the opening
£160,000
Locations in the country
96
Figures declared by the franchisor — sources and verification date at the bottom of the page.
What it's about
- Founded
- 2011
- Locations
- 96
- Type of business
- Fast food and bagel restaurant franchise
- Company
- Bagelstein
Fact sheet
Inside Bagelstein
The right questions before you start
The concept at a glance
Founded in 2011 by Thierry Veil and Gilles Abecassis, Bagelstein set out to bring a fresh, craft-led approach to bagels and pastries within the French street-food scene. Every item on the menu is baked in dedicated production workshops and delivered ready-baked to each outlet two or three times a week, meaning franchisees never need to run a full kitchen. The brand has grown to nearly a hundred locations, typically found in city centres, shopping centres and train stations, and units can range from a small 24m² kiosk right up to a 150m² restaurant.
Why join this franchise?
The Bagelstein model is built for simplicity and efficiency. Because there is no extraction system, no cooking terminals and no negative temperature chamber required, running costs and fit-out complexity are kept low compared with many other food-service formats. This also means the brand carries one of the lowest payroll requirements in its sector, since no formal catering expertise is needed to operate a unit. Add to this a strong, playful brand identity and a menu built entirely around fresh, non-frozen ingredients, and franchisees benefit from a concept that stands out in a crowded fast-food market.
- No extraction or complex kitchen equipment required
- Products baked centrally and delivered ready to serve
- Compact footprint suitable for high-footfall locations
- Distinctive, humour-driven brand positioning
- Access to a multi-unit operator agreement for ambitious franchisees
Who they're looking for
Bagelstein is looking for energetic, hands-on operators who bring genuine enthusiasm to the role rather than formal culinary credentials. The brand values a strong sense of humour, a dislike of frozen food, and a willingness to fully immerse themselves in the day-to-day running of a busy outlet. Candidates comfortable engaging with customers, managing a small team and embracing the brand's distinctive tone of voice will feel most at home within the network. Previous catering experience is not a requirement, which opens the opportunity to a wide range of first-time and experienced franchisees alike.
Requirements and investment
To join the network, candidates should have liquid capital of around £50,000 available to secure the necessary financing. The total investment required to open a Bagelstein unit, including initial fees, sits at approximately £160,000, with the franchise fee itself set at £26,500. This covers fit-out, initial stock, training and the support needed to get a new outlet trading. Given the streamlined kitchen requirements and lower staffing needs, ongoing operating costs are generally more manageable than in traditional restaurant formats, though prospective franchisees should confirm current royalty and marketing fee structures directly with the franchisor.
Key facts
- Year founded: 2011
- Locations: 96 outlets, primarily across France
- Average annual turnover: £400,000
- Franchise fee: £26,500
- Total investment: £160,000
- Liquid capital required: £50,000
If you're ready to bring a fresh, distinctive food-service concept to your local high street or shopping centre, now is the time to find out more. Request information today to discover how you could become a Bagelstein franchisee.
How much does a Bagelstein franchise cost?
Candidates should have around £50,000 of liquid capital. The total investment to open a unit, initial fees included, comes to roughly £160,000, of which £26,500 is the franchise fee. Outlets turn over about £400,000 a year on average; royalty and marketing contributions are not published and should be confirmed with the franchisor.
Do you need catering experience to open a Bagelstein?
No. Formal culinary credentials are not required, because everything on the menu arrives ready-baked from the brand's own production workshops. The network prefers energetic, hands-on operators who have no appetite for frozen ingredients, enjoy serving customers and can run a small team.
How many Bagelstein outlets are there?
There are 96 outlets, mostly in France, since Thierry Veil and Gilles Abecassis launched the concept in 2011. Units sit in city centres, shopping centres and railway stations, and range from a 24m² kiosk up to a 150m² restaurant.
Why is the Bagelstein model cheaper to operate?
Units need no extraction, no cooking terminals, no freezer room, which keeps fit-out complexity and running costs down. Deliveries arrive two or three times a week ready to serve, so staffing levels are among the lightest in the sector.
Can I open more than one Bagelstein?
Yes. The brand offers a multi-unit operator agreement for franchisees who want to develop several sites. The compact footprint also makes it easier to secure additional high-footfall pitches without committing to large premises.
Sources and data verification
The figures on this page come from the following sources:
The first step is the brochure
We'll send it to you, with the franchisor's official information document. Free and with no obligation.
Bagelstein
Free and with no obligation.
With the same budget, also worth a look
More opportunities in the category Food & Catering
Bagelstein
Investment £160,000