#671: Going national while staying true to your local roots with Jay Rushin, H&H Bagels

How do you take something that's iconically local and make it feel authentic—everywhere?

That’s the challenge facing every regional brand trying to scale. When your name is practically synonymous with a place—like H&H is with New York City—growth isn’t just about expansion. It’s about staying true to what made you iconic in the first place.

Today, I’m joined by Jay Rushin, CEO of H&H Bagels—a brand so New York it’s practically a supporting character on Seinfeld and Sex and the City. Jay has been leading the charge to take this beloved local brand national, with over 70 franchises signed and new locations popping up from Boca Raton to Santa Monica.

Leading the company since 2014, CEO Jay Rushin has re-imagined the H&H Bagels brand by growing the number of New York stores and launching the franchise model. Jay has deep familial ties to the H&H Bagels brand - his father-in-law acquired H&H Bagels in the late 1980s - and a passion for the brand’s unique history and legacy. Rushin utilizes his skills gleaned from over twenty years in finance to lead his team in the growth of H&H Bagels.

RESOURCES
H&H Bagels: https://www.hhbagels.com
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