Manhattan Bagel is a fast-casual café brand specializing in authentic New York-style bagels and full-service breakfast and lunch fare. The concept was founded in 1987 and is headquartered at 1720 S Bellaire St., Suite Skybox, Denver, Colorado.
The chain began offering franchises in 1991. Manhattan Bagel serves bagels that are boiled and baked fresh in-store every morning, alongside freshly cracked eggs, sizzling bacon, made-to-order sandwiches, artisan-roasted coffees, and catering services.
What sets this brand apart is its commitment to true New York-style bagels delivered in a quick-casual café environment. Their bagels are crafted using the boil-and-bake method for the classic chewy texture.
They prepare made-to-order items on the grill rather than using preheated equipment and emphasize both breakfast and lunch options to attract a broader customer base.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Manhattan Bagel provides a comprehensive training program to ensure franchisees and their management teams are fully prepared to operate their restaurants. The training programs are structured and mandatory before the opening of the franchise location.
Manhattan Bagel grants franchisees a “Protected Territory” within which the franchisor agrees not to license or establish another traditional Manhattan Bagel restaurant. This area is typically defined in the franchise agreement, often with a radius starting at two miles, although it may be smaller in densely populated cities.
However, this protection does not extend to Non-Traditional Facilities or Captive Market Locations, such as hotels, airports, schools, or military bases, where the franchisor may still open or license new outlets.
Despite the Protected Territory, Manhattan Bagel reserves broad rights that could lead to competition near or even within a franchisee’s area. The franchisor may authorize restaurants under other systems or brands and engage in wholesale or internet sales that affect the local market.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Manhattan Bagel
key competitors in the
Baked Goods
sector.
68
$25,000
$582,000
$1,094,000
n.a.
$628,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Al Manakeesh is a Middle Eastern bakery-restaurant brand offering manakeesh flatbreads, shawarma, and Lebanese specialties, serving neighborhood diners and families, and known for freshly baked dough, traditional flavors, and casual, counter-service settings that highlight Levantine comfort food.
?
?
Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant is a quick‐service franchise offering Caribbean-style patties, rotis, rice dishes and meals, serving diaspora communities and casual diners, and known for signature flavors, cultural brand heritage and growing franchise network.
?
?
MidnighTreats is a late-night food-truck or small-format franchise offering waffles, desserts and sweet-snacks on-demand, serving late-night crowds, event patrons, and dessert lovers, and known for mobile flexibility, viral menu appeal and lean startup model.
?
?
Schmackary’s is a gourmet cookie-and‐dessert franchise offering handmade cookies, ice cream sandwiches, and specialty treats, serving dessert lovers and gift buyers, and known for bold flavors, urban brand presence and experiential retail-tainment.
?
?
BAGEL BOSS is a bagel-and-deli franchise offering New York–style bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli items and coffee, serving morning commuters and families, and known for authentic bagel craft, strong local presence and franchise scalability.
?
?
House of Bread is a bakery-café franchise offering freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and café meals, serving families and casual diners, and known for hand-crafted baking, community-driven brand and multi-stream revenue.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
