A New York bagel icon plans to open 5 Triangle locations. Here’s what we know
One of New York’s biggest bagel brands is coming to North Carolina.
H&H Bagels, arguably the most iconic name in bagels, plans to open five locations in the Triangle. These would be the first H&H locations in the state and part of a nationwide expansion from Connecticut to California.
The brand announced this week that it is opening 70 new franchise locations.
“We’re incredibly excited to continue growing H&H with these truly exceptional franchising partners in Miami, Southern California, and North Carolina,” said Jay Rushin, CEO of H&H Bagels, in a news release. “With the success of Boca Raton, and Santa Monica on the horizon, we’re looking forward to sharing the New York City bagel experience with more communities nationwide this year.”
H&H is one of the bagel brands that’s been boiled into the pop culture consciousness. Beyond being a famous bagel, it’s also seen in movies like “You’ve Got Mail,” where Tom Hanks and his golden retriever walk through a cloud of flour lit by streetlamps in the dawn darkness.
The brand notes on its website that its bagels have also been featured in “Sex & The City,” “Seinfeld,” and “The Office.”
Though only open since 1972, H&H’s popularity has made it a major piece of New York City’s larger bagel reputation. The city’s bagels are often talked about as the best in the country, though a rise of Southern bagels has diversified the landscape.
In announcing the expansion to Raleigh, the company said the Raleigh franchisee declined to be named at this time.
New H&H locations are set to open this year in Santa Monica, Knoxville, Tn, Jacksonville, Fl and Chicago.
Raleigh is the only North Carolina city currently mentioned on the H&H website, but the company said in a release it expects to also open locations in Chapel Hill and Durham.
No timeline has been announced for North Carolina’s H&H locations.
This story was originally published February 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM with the headline "A New York bagel icon plans to open 5 Triangle locations. Here’s what we know."
