Bagel INDUSTRY Consulting & Professional Development

Are you an aspiring bagel entrepreneur or industry professional looking to improve your craft? We can help.

BagelUp Consulting

Opening a bagel shop is expensive, time-consuming, and full of decisions you can’t undo.

BagelUp consulting exists to give founders and operators a real crash course in the bagel world - how New York’s most successful shops actually think about product, process, and positioning - before you spend serious money on a build-out or lock yourself into a long-term consulting engagement.

There isn’t one “right way” to running a bagel business - there’s only what’s right for you. What makes sense depends on your goals, your resources, and how complex you want your operation to be. Our role is to help you understand those tradeoffs clearly so you can move forward with your eyes open.

There are two ways to work with BagelUp, depending on how deep you want to go.

1:1 Founder Immersion

4+ hours | Starting at $1,000 | Scheduled at your convenience

This is a private, high-touch immersion led by New York’s “Bagel Ambassador” Sam Silverman.

Customized to your needs: from hands on training for mixing, shaping, and baking; to visiting up to six top NYC bagel shops representing different styles, scales, and strategies. The goal is to give you a broad, informed view of the bagel industry and help you clarify the niche, style, and approach that actually make sense for your business.

You’ll leave this immersion with a clear understanding of:

  • The major bagel styles and business models, including pattern recognition around what the best shops have in common

  • The biggest decision points you’ll face, with personalized guidance based on your resources and goals

  • Who the major players are and the vernacular needed to “talk the talk” in the bagel world

  • Insights you can only get from an industry insider.

By the end, you will have a much clearer sense of what kind of bagel business you actually want to build.

See Availability

BagelUp’s Industry Pro Tour

6.5 hours | $299 | Quarterly in NYC

This is a 6.5-hour immersive program designed to educate and inspire around the craft, culture, and business of bagels.

The day includes behind-the-scenes access to two highly successful but fundamentally different bagel operations, offering a clear look at how different styles, processes, and business models can all work, depending on the choices you make.

The experience culminates in a three-hour hands-on workshop with an award-winning baker, where participants get practical exposure to technique, workflow, and production decisions.

Held quarterly in New York City, the Industry Pro Tour brings together culinary professionals, students, and serious bagel enthusiasts who want a deeper, more realistic understanding of what makes the bagel industry unique — from its history and traditions to how modern shops actually operate today.

MEET THE BAGEL Ambassador

  • Sam Silverman, the founder of BagelUp, is a true connoisseur and advocate of New York's iconic bagel culture. His journey in the world of bagels is a testament to his passion for this quintessential New York and Jewish food and his dedication to sharing its story with the world.

    Sam brings a unique blend of business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to the bagel industry. His transition from the corporate world to the culinary scene was driven by his love for bagels and a realization that New York lacked a platform to celebrate its most beloved food item.

    In 2017, Sam's vision came to fruition with the launch of the New York BagelFest, an event that quickly became the Mecca for bagel enthusiasts and industry professionals. His determination to create a comprehensive platform for bagel appreciation led to the birth of BagelUp, which has since become a hub for everything bagel-related — from festivals and tours to baking workshops and digital content.

    Sam's dedication to promoting and preserving bagel culture is evident in every aspect of his work. He's not just the organizer of events but an ambassador for the bagel community. He has tirelessly worked to bring bagel artisans, enthusiasts, and professionals together, creating a vibrant community that shares, learns, and celebrates the rich legacy of bagels.

    Under Sam's leadership, BagelUp has not only honored the traditional aspects of bagel-making but also embraced innovation and new trends. He has been instrumental in spotlighting small businesses and unsung heroes in the industry, aiding in their growth and recognition on New York’s gastronomic stage.

    Recognized as one of Brooklyn's 50 Most Fascinating People, Sam's influence extends beyond the bagel world. He is a visionary entrepreneur, a community builder, and most importantly, a storyteller who brings the humble bagel's tale to life for people around the globe.

  • Title: President, BagelUp

  • Hometown: Worcester, MA

  • Higher Ed: Bowdoin College, Mathematics & Philosophy

  • First Job: Strategic Operations at Bridgewater Associates (one of world’s largest hedge funds)

  • Time In New York: 11 years

  • Accolades: Brooklyn Magazine’s 50 Most Fascinating People 2023

  • Connect: over 50k followers between Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn