This video features a discussion with Tory Bartlett, CEO of PopUp Bagels, titled "Grip, Rip, and Scale: How PopUp Bagels is Redefining Franchising and the Future of Food" from Total Retail Tech in Atlanta last week. Bartlett was interviewed by Lauri Kien Kotcher, former CEO of Hello Products, The Shade Store, and quip.

What started as a backyard side hustle during the pandemic has exploded into one of the fastest-growing, most buzzed-about franchise brands in America. During the fireside chat, Bartlett discusses how PopUp Bagels went from local cult favorite to national phenomenon — scaling to 300 franchise locations with just a handful of elite operators. From ditching traditional formats (no toasters, no sandwiches, no apologies) to building a digital-savvy, experience-first model that’s winning over Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Bartlett unpack the rituals, strategies and operational choices that have made PopUp Bagels not just famous, but known. Attendees gained insights on building brand loyalty, scaling with intention, and staying true to your brand purpose while thinking big.