H&H Bagels
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food industry |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | Helmer Toro, Hector Hernandez |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States, international (wholesale) |
| Products | Bagels |
H&H Bagels is a bagel business headquartered in New York City, widely regarded as "classic," "renowned," and "iconic." The company currently runs five retail outlets across New York City and aims to expand to 25 stores nationwide. Additionally, it provides shipping services across the U.S. and wholesale distribution internationally.
History
The company was established in 1972 by Puerto Rican businessman Helmer Toro along with his brother-in-law Hector Hernandez, which inspired the name "H&H." They acquired Midtown Bagels located at Broadway and 80th Street with $5,000 in cash plus a $50,000 loan. Eventually, Toro assumed full ownership. In 1974, he launched H&H Midtown Bagels East on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Following a bankruptcy filing in 1979, ownership was divided: Toro kept control of the Upper West Side store while a new management group took over the Upper East Side location. In 1993, Toro relocated the bakery operations to Hell’s Kitchen but continued running the Upper West Side retail outlet.
In 2009, Toro faced indictment for tax evasion related to $369,000 withheld from employees’ paychecks. He pleaded guilty to grand larceny in 2010, resulting in over $540,000 paid in restitution and serving weekend jail sentences throughout 2011.
The portion of H&H under Toro’s leadership filed for bankruptcy protection in 2011 to preserve its manufacturing facility in Secaucus, New Jersey, which was ultimately sold later that year. By early 2012, both the factory store on West 46th Street and the retail outlet on West 80th Street had closed. These developments are chronicled in Marc Zirogiannis’ business memoir, The Rise and Fall of H&H Bagels, which draws from his advisory experience with Toro.
Meanwhile, the Upper East Side branch continued operating under different management. In 2014, new leadership launched a nationwide expansion plan. A new Upper West Side location opened in 2016, followed by the initiation of wholesale distribution to international retailers in 2017. New stores were introduced at JFK and LaGuardia airports in 2019, with an additional outlet opening at Moynihan Train Hall in 2021.
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–21, H&H’s national shipping and global wholesale channels expanded by 500% and 400%, respectively. August 2021 saw the introduction of a franchise program targeting the top 50 U.S. markets. The Upper West Side store underwent renovations in April 2022 to serve as the flagship for franchise operations. In September 2022, H&H secured debt financing to fuel further growth.
In May 2023, H&H revealed plans to open 25 new locations across the United States and announced a new 20,000-square-foot bakery facility in Woodside, Queens designed to supply bagels worldwide.
Reception
Musician Mariah Carey praises H&H Bagels as "sublime: soft, warm, and plump to perfection, a classic NYC morning staple." National Geographic describes them as "some of the city's best (bagels)."
In popular culture
On December 18, 1997, NBC broadcasted the Seinfeld episode "The Strike," which featured Cosmo Kramer returning to work at H&H Bagels after a strike lasting twelve years. This episode also introduced Frank Costanza’s alternative holiday celebration known as "Festivus for the Rest of Us!" This pop culture moment has contributed significantly to H&H Bagels’ brand awareness and market presence.
Current
- Upper East Side (2nd Avenue between East 80th and East 81st)
The oldest continuously operating H&H Bagels location.
- Upper West Side (Columbus Avenue between West 85th and West 86th)
Opened November 2016; renovated into flagship store in 2022.
- JFK Airport
Located in Terminal 5; opened in 2019.
- LaGuardia Airport
Situated in Terminal D; commenced operations in 2019.
- Moynihan Train Hall
Launched in 2021.
Planned
- California
Five franchise locations are scheduled to open in Los Angeles.
- Connecticut
A franchise outlet is slated for Stamford.
- Florida
A franchise store is set to launch in Boca Raton during the third quarter of 2023; five additional franchise sites are planned for Tampa; a company-operated location is intended for West Palm Beach.
- New York
A company-owned site at Penn Station is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2023.
- Illinois
A company-managed unit is planned for Chicago’s Fulton Market district.
- Virginia
Ten franchise stores are projected for the Washington metropolitan area as well as the Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News region.
Former
- Upper West Side (West 80th St)
The original establishment, which began operations in 1972 and ran continuously around the clock, was closed by court marshals on June 29, 2011.
- Hell's Kitchen (West 46th St)
This location included bakery production and wholesale operations, functioned 24/7, was sold in December 2011, and the company was evicted in January 2012.