Jeff’s Bagel Run: Growing Into a Brand Built on Community
“Just do it. Take action and go. If you think too long about it, you will never start and starting is the hardest part.”
— Jeff and Danielle Perera, Co-Founders, Jeff’s Bagel Run
Where It All Began
Jeff Perera never planned to build a restaurant company. In 2019, he found himself unexpectedly let go from his job in his early forties, facing uncertainty with a stay-at-home spouse and young children. It was his wife, Danielle, who suggested a simple role reversal: she would return to work, and Jeff would stay home and figure out what came next.
What came next started with a bagel.
Danielle loved bagels and casually challenged Jeff to learn how to make one. With no culinary background, no formal training, and no experience beyond curiosity, Jeff turned to YouTube, experimentation, and trial-and-error. What started as a kitchen hobby quickly turned into dozens of bagels a day far more than one family could eat.
That surplus sparked an idea.
From Front Porch to First Customers
As Jeff searched for ways to share what he was baking, he discovered Florida’s cottage food laws and realized he could legally sell bagels from home. In late 2019, he posted his first menu online terrified that no one would want to buy bagels from “some guy baking in his house.”
They did. Orders came in. During the early months of the pandemic, Jeff sold bagels directly from his front porch and delivered them to neighbors’ homes. What people were really buying was not just food; it was comfort, connection, and a small moment of joy during a difficult time.
That demand validated the idea and gave Jeff the confidence to keep going.
Growing Into a Brand Built on Community
Jeff’s Bagel Run opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 2021. At the time, it was still a small operation run by Jeff and Danielle, open limited days with limited hours.
Then everything accelerated.
Today, Jeff’s Bagel Run operates 26 locations across eight states, with growth happening at a pace few brands experience so early. Over the past 12 months alone, the company has seen approximately 300% revenue growth, fueled by rapid store expansion, strong guest loyalty, and a franchise model built for scalability.
Despite that growth, the brand has remained anchored to three guiding pillars: bake fresh, bring joy, and build community. These values are not slogans; they serve as the filter for every decision the company makes.
What Makes Jeff’s Bagel Run Different
Bagels are not new. They are a breakfast staple. Jeff knows that opening a bagel business does not sound revolutionary, and that’s exactly why execution matters.
Jeff’s Bagel Run differentiates itself through four key strengths. First, the product itself. Every bagel is baked fresh daily, scratch-made, and obsessively refined. Second, the company’s internally built technology stack simplifies operations and allows franchisees to focus on consistency and guest experience. Third, the team is talented, passionate people who care deeply about delivering quality every day. And finally, the guests themselves, many of whom have become genuine fans of the brand.
When guests turn into fans, Jeff says, everything changes.
A Workforce Built for Scale
As a franchise organization, Jeff’s Bagel Run supports a wide range of roles across its system. The corporate team includes full-time staff and interns, while each store employs between 15 and 20 team members, including part-time employees, full-time staff, and general managers.
As new stores open in Florida and beyond, the workforce will continue to expand steadily. The company added five new hires to its corporate office this year alone, with continued growth expected as the brand scales.
Technology, Talent, and Continuous Improvement
While Jeff’s Bagel Run does not maintain formal university partnerships, the company actively engages academic communities as both customers and talent pipelines. Recently, the team collaborated with data science students at the University of Central Florida to help fine-tune internal baking algorithms; a reminder that even something as classic as bagels can benefit from innovation.
That mindset blending tradition with technology has become part of the company’s DNA.
The Challenges of Rapid Growth
Scaling from a home kitchen to 26 stores has not been easy. Supply chain logistics, real estate selection, permitting across different municipalities and states, and maintaining consistent guest experience across locations all present daily challenges.
Real estate remains one of the biggest hurdles. In a rapidly developing market, narrowing focus and choosing the right location at the right time is both art and science.
Jeff credits the company’s ability to navigate these challenges to one thing primarily: people. Empowered teams, trusted leaders, and a willingness to let talented individuals solve problems at scale have made growth possible.
Why Florida Matters
Florida is where Jeff’s Bagel Run was born, and it remains central to the company’s future. The state’s population growth, supportive business environment, and infrastructure make it an ideal launchpad for national expansion.
As people move to Florida and later return to their home states, Jeff sees something powerful happening: guests discovering the brand locally and then seeking it out elsewhere. Florida does not just support growth; it fuels brand recognition beyond state lines.
The Story Behind the Name
The name “Jeff’s Bagel Run” comes from a simple family ritual. On Saturday mornings, Jeff and his family would go on a bagel run picking up fresh bagels, bringing them home, spreading them across the table, and enjoying the moment together.
During the pandemic, when people stopped going places, Jeff brought the bagel run to them. The name reflects both experiences: going out for something special and delivering comfort when it is needed most.
Why Being a GrowFL Company to Watch Matters
Being named a GrowFL Company to Watch feels surreal to Jeff. Running a fast-growing business is intense and consuming, and it is rare to pause and reflect on what has been built.
For Jeff, the recognition belongs to the team from franchise partners to store employees to his co-founder and wife, Danielle, who keeps the company running every day. The honor affirms that the work matters not only internally, but to the communities the brand serves.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Jeff’s advice is simple and direct: start.
Waiting for the perfect plan, the perfect timing, or perfect confidence only delays progress. The hardest step is the first one and momentum follows action.
If you have an idea, take the leap. The rest gets figured out along the way.
About GrowFL’s Programs
GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch (FLCTW)
The Florida Companies to Watch program, hosted annually by GrowFL, celebrates top second-stage companies across the state for their impressive growth and entrepreneurial success. This prestigious program recognizes 50 standout businesses each year, chosen from hundreds of nominees. Honorees are celebrated for their innovation, economic impact on Florida’s economy, and the ability to scale effectively. Through FLCTW, GrowFL not only acknowledges these companies’ achievements but also brings them into a spotlight that enhances their visibility in the marketplace. The event offers an extraordinary opportunity for networking, sharing best practices, and gaining exposure to potential investors and partners, making it a cornerstone for fostering business growth and recognition within Florida’s vibrant business community.
