Bagels & Co. enters Tampa market with shop near USF

A fast-growing, bagel-based restaurant chain headquartered in Fort Lauderdale announced Thursday that its first shop on Florida’s Gulf Coast is now open to the public near Tampa’s University of South Florida.

Bagels & Co., founded in 2021, has opened a 1,660-square-foot cafe at 5004 E. Fowler Ave. in Tampa — adjacent to the corner of the USF campus where the Bulls’ first on-campus stadium is set to open next fall.

The breakfast and lunch restaurant chain specializes in fresh-baked bagels, creative house-made “schmears” and loaded bagel sandwiches, the company says, brewing up La Colombe coffee and various teas. Bagels & Co. bakes more than a dozen varieties of Brooklyn-style bagels including French toast, cheddar habanero, everything, blueberry, cinnamon raisin and Oreo and a newly introduced bagel with bacon, egg and cheese baked right in.

The quick-serve, family-friendly bagel shop is also known for its large variety of eclectic schmears including bacon cheddar, birthday cake, black truffle, cookie monster, honey nut, sriracha scallion and vegan tofu. Special limited-edition bagel and schmear flavors are added throughout the year to commemorate seasons, holidays, sports teams and more.

The new USF location is the chain’s seventh in Florida and first on the state’s west coast, the release says. It offers indoor and outdoor seating and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Primarily located in college towns, Bagels & Co. offers a student ambassador program for those looking to gain knowledge and experience in growing their own quick-service restaurant, the release says. Student ambassadors help market the brand around campus with giveaways, campus events and community partnerships.