Established
1990
Franchise Units
20
Minimum Investment
$350,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$650,000
Home Based
No
Description
Long Island Bagel Café has become one of the most recognizable names in New York–style bagels, known for its oversized kettle-boiled bagels, premium cream-cheese blends, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and a neighborhood café experience that feels authentically local. With decades of operational refinement and a loyal customer base across Long Island, LIBC has grown beyond a simple bagel shop into a community staple—one built on craft, quality, and consistency.
For entrepreneurs searching for a food franchise that blends tradition with modern operational systems, Long Island Bagel Café presents a powerful opportunity. The brand occupies a profitable niche between quick-service restaurants, specialty bakeries, and breakfast-driven cafés—making it ideal for markets where consumers demand fresh, artisanal food with fast, convenient service. The franchise is designed to be both scalable and approachable for first-time owners, while still attracting seasoned multi-unit operators looking to diversify into a proven breakfast and lunch model.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Long Island Bagel Café offers a unique combination of high-demand products, strong regional credibility, and efficient unit economics. The breakfast-and-lunch category continues to outperform many other food segments thanks to lower labor requirements, shorter operating hours, and predictable traffic patterns. LIBC enhances those financial advantages with a product that is difficult for competitors to replicate: traditional New York bagels made the right way, with thoughtful craftsmanship and proprietary recipes.
Investors appreciate the franchise for several reasons:
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Recognized Regional Brand – LIBC has decades of goodwill and a devoted customer following.
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High-Margin Product Mix – Bagels, coffee, cream cheeses, deli sandwiches, salads, catering, and retail add-ons provide multiple revenue channels.
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Lower Operating Hours – Most locations operate primarily during breakfast and lunch, improving work-life balance and reducing labor costs compared to full-service restaurants.
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Scalable Model – The café footprint performs well in suburban, commuter, and urban environments, allowing for both single-unit and multi-unit growth.
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Catering Demand – Corporate breakfasts, event trays, and weekend family orders significantly boost average ticket value.
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Strong Operational Systems – Standardized recipes, efficient workflows, and vendor relationships simplify daily operations for franchisees.
Background
Established Year: Long Island Bagel Café first began its journey in the early 1990s, during a time when New York–style bagel shops were rapidly becoming neighborhood staples. The founders set out with a simple goal—bring authentic, hand-rolled Long Island bagels to communities that appreciated old-school craftsmanship and warm, local hospitality.
Founders & Brand Journey: Created by a team of bagel makers who understood the craft behind kettle-boiled, oversized New York bagels, Long Island Bagel Café quickly grew from a single storefront to a well-known regional brand. The early strategy focused on quality: traditional dough preparation, proprietary cream cheese blends, generous portions, and a café-style menu that naturally attracted commuters, families, and office crowds. As demand grew, the owners expanded with additional stores across Long Island, refining systems, recipes, and workflows that now serve as the backbone of the franchise model.
Company History & Evolution: What started as a classic neighborhood bagel shop evolved into a full-service breakfast and lunch café recognized for consistency, community presence, and efficient operations. Over the decades, LIBC introduced catering services, expanded its deli menu, modernized store layouts, and implemented standardized processes that made scaling possible. These innovations helped position the brand as a top contender within the bakery-café and breakfast QSR category.
Ownership: Long Island Bagel Café continues to operate under its founding leadership and long-standing operational team, ensuring authenticity in both product and brand culture. Their hands-on involvement in daily operations, training, and quality control has allowed the company to maintain the same standard of excellence it built its reputation on.
Franchise Active Units – Current Number:
20+ locations throughout Long Island, including both corporate-owned and franchised units.
Market Presence in the USA: While the concept is strongest in New York, the brand’s reputation for premium bagels and breakfast foods positions it for expansion across the United States. The breakfast-and-lunch category consistently leads the QSR sector in growth, offering stability, predictable traffic, and high customer loyalty—making LIBC a compelling contender in suburban, commuter, and urban markets nationwide.
Industry Category:
• Bakery-Café Franchise
• Fast-Casual Breakfast & Lunch
• New York–Style Bagel Shop
• Catering-Driven Food Service
Support Training
Long Island Bagel Café provides a comprehensive franchise support structure designed to prepare operators for success from day one.
Pre-Launch Support
• Assistance with site evaluation, demographic studies, and lease negotiations
• Architectural guidelines, layout planning, and equipment lists
• Vendor sourcing for bagel dough, cream cheeses, deli ingredients, beverages, and packaging
• Guidance on local permitting and compliance requirements
Initial Training
• Multi-week training program at a flagship or corporate store
• Hands-on learning in baking preparation, kettle-boiling, store opening/closing procedures, customer service, and inventory management
• Detailed operational manuals and recipe guides
• Staff hiring assistance and front-of-house training protocols
Operational Support
• Ongoing coaching from field support teams
• Data-driven guidance on food costs, labor management, and workflow optimization
• Quality-control systems to ensure consistent product execution
• Technology support for POS systems, reporting, and order management
Marketing Support
• Local store marketing toolkit
• Digital advertising guidance, including social media, Google search, and community outreach
• Grand opening marketing campaigns
• Seasonal promotions and product-launch strategies
Long-Term Franchisee Support
• Updated menu innovations with market-tested products
• Continuous training opportunities
• Access to a network of experienced operators
• Purchasing power and vendor savings through established supply chains
Ideal Candidate
Long Island Bagel Café attracts franchisees who appreciate community-driven businesses, hands-on operations, and the stability of the breakfast-and-lunch category.
Ideal candidates include:
Professional Background
• First-time entrepreneurs seeking a proven retail food model
• Restaurant operators looking for a simpler, more predictable concept
• Corporate professionals transitioning into business ownership
• Multi-unit investors seeking regional expansion opportunities
Personal Attributes
• Strong commitment to quality and customer service
• Ability to lead and motivate a team
• Interest in food, hospitality, and building community relationships
• Desire to maintain a clean, efficient, guest-friendly environment
Investment Capability
• Ability to meet franchise financial requirements
• Comfort managing inventory, staffing, and day-to-day operations
• Willingness to reinvest in growth—either through second units or catering expansion
Location Preferences
• Suburban shopping centers
• High-traffic commuter corridors
• Urban neighborhoods with strong foot traffic
• Proximity to schools, office parks, hospitals, and residential communities
Financial Detail
| Financial Category | Estimated Amount / Range |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $350,000 – $650,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $400,000+ |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 – $45,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% – 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% – 2% of gross sales |
| Local Store Marketing (Initial) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Build-Out & Infrastructure | $200,000 – $400,000 |
| Equipment Package | $100,000 – $150,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| Average Unit Size | 1,500 – 2,500 sq. ft. |
| Expected ROI | 12–24 months |
| Break-Even Timeline | 6–18 months |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Multiple revenue channels |