Blazing Bagels
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food manufacturing |
| Founded | 1 January 2001 in Redmond, Washington, United States |
| Founder | Dennis Ballen |
| Headquarters | Redmond , United States |
Area served | Seattle metropolitan area |
Key people | Dennis Ballen (owner) |
| Products | Bagels |
Number of employees | 110 (2017) |
Blazing Bagels is a bagel manufacturer headquartered in Redmond, Washington, serving the Seattle metropolitan area within Washington state. Owned by Dennis Ballen, the company produces more than 7 million bagels each year, catering to both wholesale and retail customers. With a team of 110 employees and four store locations as of 2017, Blazing Bagels has secured a notable position in the market through reliable product quality and strong regional brand awareness.
Description
Based in Redmond, Washington, Blazing Bagels operates as a bagel producer for the Seattle metropolitan area. Their menu features categories such as "Cheesy" and "Meat Topped," including flavors like French toast, pesto, and rosemary bagels.
History
Dennis Ballen founded Blazing Bagels in 2001 in Redmond, Washington. The company runs four outlets throughout the Seattle metro region, including locations in Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle neighborhoods of Ravenna and SoDo. Additionally, it supplies local dining establishments such as Dingfelder's Delicatessen.
Ballen demonstrated strategic leadership by initiating legal proceedings against the city of Redmond regarding restrictions on sandwich-board advertising, defending the company’s promotional tactics.
By 2017, Blazing Bagels employed roughly 110 workers and sold around 36,000 bagels daily. Annual production reached 7 million by 2018, reflecting the company's significant share within the regional bagel market.
The company contributes to community causes by donating approximately 220,000 bagels yearly (as of 2019) and has collaborated with athletes like J. P. Crawford and Marco Gonzales to create signature sandwiches supporting charitable initiatives. In 2019, its Redmond store served as the launch site for the Tulip Ride motorcycle event benefiting Seattle Humane.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Blazing Bagels adjusted its operations to emphasize delivery and takeout services to continue functioning amid public health restrictions.
Reception
In 2020, Allecia Vermillion of Seattle Metropolitan observed that Blazing Bagels maintains a loyal following despite confounding some traditional bagel enthusiasts. Christina Ausley included the company in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's 2020 roundup of top bagel shops in Seattle, underscoring its influence in the local market.