This national bagel chain plans to open six locations in Fresno area. What we know
Einstein Bros Bagels is coming to Fresno, with plans to open at least six locations here — three of them already in the works.
The bagel shop is planning a store at 6893 Golden State Boulevard, just off Highway 99 and Herndon Avenue, the company said Wednesday. It will go into an existing building that currently houses a Starbucks and gets plenty of traffic entering and exiting the highway.
It has also signed a lease to open at 228 River Park Circle, in the same shopping center as Dave & Buster’s near Friant Road and Highway 41, a River Park representative confirmed to The Bee.
It’s taking over the spot once occupied by BurgerIM, the seller of tiny hamburgers that closed.
Both are expected to open late in the year, said Patricia Perry, senior vice president of franchise and licensing for Bagel Brands, which includes Noah’s New York Bagels, Bruegger’s Bagels and Manhattan Bagel.
Einstein Bros has signed an agreement with a franchisee to open five locations in the Fresno area. The other locations have not been identified yet and will open over the next couple of years, she said.
Another Einstein Bros, as reported previously by The Bee, is headed for Fresno Yosemite International Airport. That will one will operate separately from the other five.
The contract for the airport location — along with deals to bring Mad Duck Craft Brewery, Peet’s Coffee and Ike’s Sandwiches to the airport — was approved in April. The entire switch to the new eateries at the airport is expected to take about 12 months.
What is Einstein Bros Bagels?
Einstein Bros’ menu features breakfast and lunch items, including bagel sandwiches, “shmear” (cream cheese) and coffee and espresso-based drinks.
The company doesn’t have any locations in the Fresno or Clovis area. The closest is in San Luis Obispo.
The bagel shop has more than 600 locations nationwide, including 40 in California. The company did not immediately return a request for comment about its expansion plans in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Einstein Bros was created by the people behind Boston Market, and is now owned by the same parent company that also owns Panera Bread and Caribou Coffee.
The name is not related to Albert Einstein, but is the name of its mascots, the dapper brothers Elmo and Melvyn Einstein featured in the company logo.
Einstein Bros will join several popular locally owned bagel shops, including Uncle Harry’s New York Bagelry & Coffeehouse and Fresno Bagel Co.
