Food & Beverage

Einstein Bros bakes up growth with 300-plus U.S. locations planned by 2030

Leslie Haver, senior director, design, said the prototype will be slightly larger in most locations to support in-store dining and offer a better customer experience.

Photo: Michael Berlfein for Shutterstock

June 29, 2026 by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

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Einstein Bros. Bagels plans to open over 300 bakeries across the U.S. by 2030, using its new "Elevate the Morning" store prototype.

"We've spent years perfecting a highly scalable store model that delivers a fresh, high-quality breakfast with the convenience today's guests expect, and now we're accelerating that model across the country," CEO Jessica DePetro said in a press release.

The company said the prototype will support faster expansion while maintaining food quality. The design provides higher-quality finishes, furniture and fixtures, along with brand-specific artwork and murals that are absent in already existing stores. The layout also aims to improve efficiency for employees and convenience for customers.

Leslie Haver, senior director, design, with Einstein Bros. told FastCasual that the prototype will be slightly larger in most locations to support in-store dining and offer a better customer experience.

"All new bakeries will be using the 'Elevate Your Morning' design," Haver said.

The expansion comes as the U.S. bagel market reaches an estimated $5.8 billion in annual value and is growing about 5% annually, according to Grand View Research.

Einstein Bros.' "State of the Bagel" survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 55% of respondents prefer bagels over sweeter breakfast foods, while 52% said they eat bagels throughout the day. The company also reported that rewards members younger than 35 drove a 22% year-over-year increase in in-store visits.

Einstein Bros. Bagels, part of Panera Brands alongside Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee, operates over 700 U.S. locations and plans to exceed 1,000 by 2030.

About Amy Sorter

Amy W. Sorter is an award-winning journalist, copywriter and content producer. Sorter has generated quality articles, blogs and thought leadership pieces for multiple industries during her many decades as a writer. Her byline has appeared in local and national publications including the American Business Journal, Connect CRE, Bankrate, CURE Magazine and the Dallas Morning News.

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