Dive Brief:
- Einstein Bros. Bagels is modernizing its store concept, which it calls the “Elevate the Morning,” format, according to a Monday press release.
- The bagel chain will start renovating its stores and former Bruegger’s Bagels locations in the Cincinnati, Ohio, market to accord with the new image, which “blends premium finishes, warm neighborhood character, and thoughtful layouts,” and has the bagel case front and center.
- A wide range of brands have begun remodeling the interior of their stores to be aesthetically warmer and more inviting over the last couple of years, including Starbucks, Cava and Subway, as consumer experience has become part of a holistic value proposition.
Dive Insight:
Einstein Bros. said the new model is designed to enhance consumer experiences in both in-store and digital channels. Renderings of the design shared in the press release show a clear differentiation between in-store ordering and pickup shelves. Other redesigns in the coffee and breakfast sector have similar features, with Starbucks’ redesigned stores featuring risers set aside for mobile-order-and-pickup goods.
The remodels in Cincinnati will let the chain pilot elements of the new design and associated changes to operations before it takes the format nationwide. By the end of 2026, Einstein Bros plans to open about 100 new stores. Starting next year, all of its new units will include the Elevate the Morning design template, as will some remodels.
The chain, which is part of Panera Brands, has seen uneven performance across its system segments in recent years, according to its franchise disclosure document. Its franchised system added seven units in 2024, a small absolute but significant proportional increase. Likewise, its company-operated system has grown too, adding 23 units in 2024. But its licensed division — stores operated inside large retailers — has shrunk in recent years, by 30 units in 2023 and 15 in 2024.
