New York – October 05, 2026 -- BagelUp, producer of New York BagelFest, will stage the second annual Growth Lab on November 14, 2026, expanding the one-day business incubator into a year-round partner program aimed at reducing the failure rate among new bagel shop founders.

Industry data shows roughly 40-50% of new food service establishments close within five years

Citing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, BagelUp President Sam Silverman said the Growth Lab connects early-stage entrepreneurs with industry veterans to provide mentorship during what he called the critical early years of opening a first brick-and-mortar location.

BagelUp assembles nine vetted vendors spanning ingredients, equipment and infrastructure

Initial Growth Lab Partner Program members include King Arthur Baking Company (flour), Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Malt Products Corporation (malt and sweeteners, founded 1957), Bettani (plant-based cream cheese alternatives), Manischewitz (kosher foods, founded 1888), All Bake Technologies (bakery equipment), Echelon Payments (merchant services), noissue (sustainable packaging) and thinkDESIGN Architecture, which has designed bagel shops including Utopia Bagels, La Bagel Delight, Terrace Bagels, Highway Bagels and The Bagel Store. Partners will deliver a webinar series over the following year covering equipment selection, shop design, packaging, payment processing and operational infrastructure.

Event curriculum centers on capital access and shop build-out economics

The November 14 session at Loft 39, ahead of New York BagelFest at Citi Field, opens at 10:30 a.m. with "The Business of Bagels,