The chain, part of Panera Brands, currently operates more than 700 locations and aims to surpass 1,000 within 4 years
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More than 300 new bakeries could be coming to communities across the country, after Einstein Bros. Bagels unveiled an expansion plan last week targeting a 2030 completion. Reaching a total of 1,000 locations within four years is the target for the Panera Brands-owned chain, which currently runs more than 700 restaurants.
Central to the growth strategy is a new store prototype Einstein Bros. has named "Elevate the Morning," which the company says was built to support rapid scaling without sacrificing the fresh-baked experience it is known for. The fresh-baked bagel case sits at the front of the new layout, which Einstein Bros. says features premium finishes and a neighborhood aesthetic designed to move customers through more efficiently.
"We've spent years perfecting a highly scalable store model that delivers fresh, high-quality breakfast with the convenience today's guests expect, and now we're accelerating that model across the country," Jessica DePetro, CEO of Einstein Bros. Bagels, said in a statement.
Annual bagel output at the chain exceeds 150 million, and incoming locations will carry the full menu — including egg sandwiches prepared with fresh-cracked cage-free eggs, handcrafted coffee, cold brew, and catering options.
Einstein Bros. pointed to growth in the broader bagel category as a driver of the expansion. Wider trends in the breakfast sector are also informing the timing of the push. The domestic bagel category is now valued at $5.8 billion and has been expanding at approximately 5% annually, according to figures the company cited. According to Einstein Bros., 55% of Americans rank bagels above donuts for breakfast.
Younger customers are contributing to that momentum. Store visit data from the chain's rewards program shows that members younger than 35 have been arriving more frequently, accounting for a 22% year-over-year jump in traffic, the company said.
"At Einstein Bros., we see bagels differently. Beyond breakfast, they're a ritual and, for a growing generation of guests, a daily habit. Our rewards growth and digital engagement data confirm this audience is showing up more often and spending more," Jessica Serrano, chief marketing officer of Einstein Bros. Bagels, said in a statement.
Einstein Bros. Bagels has operated since 1995 and is one of three brands under Panera Brands, alongside Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee, the company said.
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