Bagelstein Targets 40 Stores in India with Franchise-Led Growth Model

French bakery-café chain Bagelstein is known for its rebellious, flavorful bagels, coffee, and desserts. When the brand launched in 2011, bagels were still relatively unfamiliar in France, a country best known for its traditional baguettes. The founders saw an opportunity to educate the market while introducing something new and global. By combining freshly baked bagels, pastries, and quality coffee, Bagelstein positioned itself as a modern café brand that could stand apart from traditional coffee chains and fast-food formats. 

Today, Bagelstein operates 117 restaurants across seven countries, including France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, and Denmark. It emphasizes quality and homemade ingredients and has a strong presence in France, Belgium, Italy, and beyond, with recent expansion into India, targeting major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The brand is now preparing for further expansion into the Middle East, with planned entries into the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia by 2026.

Thierry Veil, Founder and CEO, Bagelstein, said, “India represents our next major growth chapter. With the right partners, a strong central kitchen model, and an all-day café approach, we are building Bagelstein for scale, combining European quality with local relevance to create a sustainable, nationwide presence.”

Entering India with the Right Partner

Bagelstein came to India with the intention of educating the Indian market about bagels. As the brand opened its first outlet in Hyderabad in July 2024, it saw that demand for bagels and West Regional coffee was increasing, and the launch was successful. Hyderabad’s strong technology ecosystem, global workforce, and openness to international food concepts made it a natural starting point. Soon after, the brand opened its second outlet in Delhi, at Pacific Mall, featuring freshly baked bagels, gourmet spreads, sandwiches, desserts, and artisanal coffee, catering to evolving consumer preferences for quality, authenticity, and innovation. The design and brand expression remain true to Bagelstein’s playful identity, offering a setting that blends international flair with local appeal.

Bagelstein entered India with full readiness, with knowledge of Indian tastes and the Indian market, from supply chain planning to the right internal team. In 2024, the brand signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India, with the responsibility of developing the brand nationwide through sub-franchising.

A Central Kitchen and Consistent Quality

One of Bagelstein’s strongest differentiators is its central kitchen model. Unlike many café brands, the brand’s outlets don’t cook food on-site; its products are prepared centrally and delivered daily, ensuring consistency in taste, quality, and presentation across locations. In India, this process took time; the focus remained clear: match European quality standards using Indian sourcing. At the same time, the brand understood the importance of local adaptation. While core products like bagels, cheesecakes, muffins, and fried chicken remain consistent globally, India-specific additions, such as rice bowls, were introduced after understanding local eating habits.

Menu, Customization, and Indian Preferences

Bagelstein’s menu in India reflects a careful balance between authenticity and localization. The brand offers a wide variety of bagels, including sesame, poppy seed, onion, chilli, and cheese-jalapeño flavors. These are paired with fillings that appeal to both global and Indian palates. Menu development is a collaborative process. Bagelstein’s European R&D team works closely with Franchise India’s in-house chefs to create recipes that suit regional tastes. The brand has also recognized that preferences vary across Indian cities, and menus may evolve accordingly. Beyond food, coffee plays a central role. Interestingly, the brand discovered the strength of Indian coffee beans during its market research. Slightly more bitter and robust, it aligns well with local preferences and is now an integral part of Bagelstein’s Indian offering.

Where Convenience Meets Cravings Across Every Channel

Bagelstein positions itself as an actual all-day café, a place where customers can enjoy coffee in the morning, a proper meal for lunch, and snacks or dinner later in the day. This versatility sets it apart from single-purpose coffee chains or fast-food outlets. In India, the brand follows a strong omnichannel approach, with a significant share of sales coming from takeaway and delivery. Platforms like Zomato and Swiggy are key partners, and currently, nearly 70 percent of sales come from takeaway and delivery, with the remaining 30 percent from dine-in customers.

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Tapping India’s Evolving Consumer Demand for Sustainable Growth

Looking ahead, Bagelstein has ambitious plans for India. The target is to open around 40 outlets over the next four years, spanning metro cities, high-street locations, malls, airports, and travel hubs. With its compact store format and central kitchen model, the brand believes it can scale efficiently and profitably. Travel retail, especially airports and railway stations, is a major focus area, and several future openings are already in the pipeline. For Bagelstein, India is not just another market; it is a long-term growth opportunity. With the right partners, a flexible menu strategy, and a strong brand identity, the French bagel café is steadily carving out its space in India’s fast-evolving café culture.