kids encyclopedia robot

H&H Bagels facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
H&H Bagels
Private
Founded 1972 (1972)
Founder Helmer Toro, Hector Hernandez
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Number of locations
 5 (2023)
Area served
 United States
Key people
 Jay Rushin (CEO)
Products Bagels, baked goods, deli items

H&H Bagels is a very well-known bagel company in New York City. Many people call its bagels "classic," "famous," and "iconic." The company has five stores in New York City. It also plans to open 25 more stores across the United States. H&H Bagels also ships its bagels all over the country and sells them to other businesses worldwide.

The Story of H&H Bagels

H&H Bagels started in 1972. Two brothers-in-law, Helmer Toro and Hector Hernandez, bought a bagel shop called Midtown Bagels. They named their new business "H&H" after their last names. The first store was on Broadway in New York City. Helmer Toro later took full control of the company. In 1974, he opened a second H&H Midtown Bagels store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

In 1979, the company faced some financial difficulties. This led to a new group taking over the Upper East Side store. Helmer Toro kept the original Upper West Side location.

In 1993, Helmer Toro moved his main bakery to 46th Street in Hell's Kitchen. However, his main store for customers stayed on the Upper West Side.

Over time, the part of H&H Bagels owned by Helmer Toro faced more challenges. His bakery facility in New Jersey was sold in 2011. The West 46th Street factory store and the original West 80th Street store closed in January 2012. A book called The Rise and Fall of H&H Bagels tells the story of these events.

Meanwhile, the H&H Bagels store on the Upper East Side continued to operate normally. In 2014, a new leader joined the company. This new CEO helped H&H Bagels grow across the country. A new store opened on the Upper West Side in 2016. In 2017, H&H Bagels started selling its bagels to other stores around the world. The company also opened locations at JFK Airport and LaGuardia Airport in 2019. In 2021, a store opened at Moynihan Train Hall.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, H&H Bagels' business grew a lot. Their nationwide shipping increased by 500%, and their global sales to other businesses grew by 400%. In August 2021, H&H Bagels started a program to open franchise stores. They planned to open new stores in the top 50 cities in the U.S. In April 2022, the Upper West Side store was updated. It became a special "flagship" store for the new franchise plan. In September 2022, the company received money to help with its future growth.

In May 2023, H&H Bagels announced plans for 25 new stores across the U.S. They also announced a large new bakery in Woodside, Queens. This bakery is 20,000 square feet and helps supply bagels worldwide.

H&H Bagels Locations

H&H Bagels has several stores where you can buy their famous bagels.

Current Stores

  • Upper East Side (2nd Avenue between East 80th and East 81st)

This is the oldest H&H Bagels store that is still open today.

  • Upper West Side (Columbus Avenue between West 85th and West 86th)

This store opened in November 2016. It was the second H&H Bagels location. It was updated in 2022 to be the company's main "flagship" store.

  • JFK Airport

H&H Bagels opened this store in Terminal 5 of JFK Airport in 2019.

  • LaGuardia Airport

This store opened in Terminal D of LaGuardia Airport in 2019.

  • Moynihan Train Hall

This location opened in 2021.

Future Stores

H&H Bagels plans to open many new stores in different states.

  • California

Five new franchise stores are planned for Los Angeles.

  • Connecticut

A franchise store is planned for Stamford.

  • Florida

A franchise store opened in Boca Raton in late 2023. Five franchise stores are planned for Tampa. A company-owned store is planned for West Palm Beach.

  • New York

A company-owned store at Penn Station in New York City opened in late 2023.

  • Illinois

A company-owned store is planned for Chicago's Fulton Market.

  • Virginia

Ten franchise stores are planned for the Washington metropolitan area and the Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News area.

Past Stores

  • Upper West Side (West 80th St)

This was the very first H&H Bagels store, opened in 1972. It used to be open 24 hours a day. Bagels were made there almost all the time. This store closed on June 29, 2011.

  • Hell's Kitchen (West 46th St)

This H&H location at 639 West 46th Street had a bakery and a store. It was also open 24 hours a day. The property was sold in December 2011, and the store closed in January 2012.

Images for kids

  • H&H Bagel

    former Broadway location, 2009