Bruegger’s marks National Bagel Day and its 29th birthday with a gift for guests.

Three Free Bagel Day is Back at Bruegger's

Burlington, VT  (RestaurantNews.com)  Bruegger’s Bagels will celebrate its two favorite days of the year – National Bagel Day and its birthday – on Thursday, Feb. 9, with its second annual Three Free Bagel Day Birthday Bash. Through 2 p.m., guests who bring a coupon to any of Bruegger’s 300 locations will receive three free bagels to take to the office, take home or enjoy all to themselves.

“Our loyal customers are the best birthday gift of all, and Birthday Bash is our way of saying thanks,” said Bruegger’s Chief Marketing Officer Scott Colwell. “Last year, we gave away nearly a quarter-million of our freshly baked, authentic New York-style bagels. For our 29th birthday, we want to give even more!”

Guests may download the coupon from the “Birthday Bash” tab on Bruegger’s Facebook page, while members of Bruegger’s “Fresh News” email club will receive the coupon via email. (Bagel fans interested in receiving coupons all year long can register for Fresh News at www.brueggers.com.)

This year also marks Bruegger’s third annual National Bagel Day Survey. As the founder of the retail bagel concept, Bruegger’s asks Americans about their favorite bagels and toppings each year in honor of bagel day.

For the third year running, the “everything” bagel wins in the bagel category. In second place is the savory Asiago Parmesan bagel and, in third, the sweet-as-pie cinnamon-sugar bagel. In the cream cheese category, plain cream cheese is America’s favorite, followed by light plain and honey walnut.

The survey also shows how popular the perfect bagel-and-cream-cheese breakfast combination is — nearly 50 percent of respondents have a bagel at least once a week, and close to 10 percent have a bagel every day.

Bruegger’s is the only national chain that bakes bagels fresh in each of its bakeries in the authentic New York-style using just five basic ingredients. In 2011, the bakery chain sold nearly 90 million bagels.

About Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc.

Bruegger’s Enterprises Inc. (BEI), a leader in the fast casual restaurant segment, operates 300 Bruegger’s bakeries in North America. Renowned for its award-winning bagels, Bruegger’s offers a wide variety of freshly prepared breakfast and lunch options made with high quality simple ingredients served with its unique brand of hospitality. Bruegger’s is dedicated to the communities it serves and supports charitable causes locally and nationally. BEI’s parent company, Groupe Le Duff SA, is the world’s second largest company in the bakery-cafe sector. Founded in 1983, BEI is headquartered in Burlington, Vt., and was a recent winner of Nation’s Restaurant News’ Golden Chain Award. For more information, please visit www.brueggers.comor become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brueggers.

It’s National Bagel Day, and to celebrate, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah’s Bagels have an offer that’s thick on flavor but thin on calories—not to mention your wallet.

As part of its continued commitment to provide health-conscious customers with better-for-you options, the “unofficial sponsor” of National Bagel Day is offering its Facebook fans with a tasty a freebie: the new Bagel Thin Single and Light Shmear. Through February 14, all existing and new fans who “Like” either the Einstein Bros. Bagels or Noah’s Bagels Facebook pages will have the opportunity to download a digital coupon to receive their fresh baked Bagel Thin Single and Light Shmear for free with the purchase of a beverage. Coupons are valid through February 20 while supplies last and valid at participating Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah’s Bagels locations.

While Americans are being called to fight obesity and menu choices can be packed with a portion of calories, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah’s Bagels, fresh baked Bagel Thin Single and Light Shmear, have all the soft, chewy satisfying richness of a bagel and cream cheese but with as little as 225 calories. The new Bagel Thin Singles (without shmear) contain about half the calories and carbohydrates as a regular bagel, and have zero grams trans fats, no cholesterol and no saturated fat. The new Bagel Thin Single comes in three varieties: plain, honey whole wheat and everything. For complete nutritional information please visit http://einsteinbros.com/pdf/nutrition_info.pdf.

“For people who want to eat better, it’s often difficult to do so and can be full of compromises,” said Jeffrey O’Neill, chief executive officer, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. “Our innovative new fresh Bagel Thin Singles and Light Shmear give customers a healthier alternative without sacrificing great taste and quality ingredients, and what better time to let our fans enjoy one than on National Bagel Day.”

The Bagel Thin Singles introduction comes on the heels of the company’s successful launch of Bagel Thin Sandwiches in June 2010. During that time, the company announced that it would become the first fast-casual restaurant chain to partner with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a CEO-led coalition of more than 80 of the nation’s largest retailers, non-profit organizations, food and beverage manufacturers and trade associations aimed at helping to reduce obesity.

As bagel-lovers throughout the world celebrate National Bagel Day today, February 9, Dunkin’ Donuts is marking the 15th anniversary of the introduction of freshly-baked bagels at Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the country. To help celebrate this national food holiday and the company’s place as the #1 retailer of bagels in the United States*, Dunkin’ Donuts is offering brand followers of @DunkinDonuts on Twitter the chance to win a $100 Dunkin’ Donuts Card by guessing how many poppy seeds cover a typical Dunkin’ Donuts Poppy Seed Bagel, using hashtag #BagelDDay.**

From round to twisted to bite-sized, Dunkin’ Donuts continues to lead the country’s bagel innovation. Dunkin’ Donuts first launched freshly-baked bagels in 1996, with national advertising pairing the iconic “Fred the Baker” with a former New York City mayor. At the time, Dunkin’ Donuts offered 12 varieties of bagels, with prices ranging from 55 to 60 cents. The company has since replaced the Egg and Pumpernickel varieties with a Sour Cream and Onion and a Multigrain Bagel, an excellent source of fiber, with eight grams of total fat per serving.

In April 2010, Dunkin’ Donuts’ culinary team, led by three-time James Beard Award nominee Executive Chef Stan Frankenthaler, unveiled the Bagel Twist, an innovative new “twist” on the traditional bagel that makes it easier than ever to enjoy a bagel, any time of the day whether you’re on-the-go at work or play. Bagel Twists feature Dunkin’ Donuts’ famous bagels, twisted into a more portable, easy-to-eat shape, perfect for people seeking a delicious snack to keep them running throughout their day. Bagel Twists are available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in a variety of flavors including Cheddar Cheese, Cinnamon Raisin, Sour Cream and Onion, Pretzel Salt, Blueberry and French Toast. Earlier this month, Dunkin’ Donuts expanded the Bagel Twist line with the introduction of the new Chocolate Chip Bagel Twist, which is drizzled with chocolate and filled with chocolate chips, for a suggested retail price of $1.39.

In South Korea, one of Dunkin’ Donuts’ top-selling international bagel markets, the company has showcased its commitment to bagel innovation with the recent introduction of easy to eat, bite-sized, pop-able bagel snacks. They are currently being sold exclusively at Dunkin’ Donuts locations in South Korea in both plain and raisin varieties.  

“National Bagel Day is a great opportunity to recognize Dunkin’ Donuts’ place in bagel history, as the number one retailer of bagels in the United States,” said Dunkin’ Brands Executive Chef Stan Frankenthaler.  ”From our classic varieties to our unique seasonal varieties, Dunkin’ Donuts’ freshly-baked bagels are a morning ritual for many of our guests. Bagels are an important part of the Dunkin’ Donuts menu, and yet another example of our 60-year baking history and commitment to offer delicious snacks to keep people running throughout the day.”

According to Maria Balinska, author of “The Bagel: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread,” the boiled then baked bread is a classic rags to riches immigrant’s tale. “Bagels came to America as a snack almost exclusively enjoyed by the Jewish community, but by the 1970s ‘the roll with the hole’ was on its way to becoming an all-American favorite. Millions of bagels are consumed every day across the United States and sales are estimated to be worth over $900 million annually. Now, the bagel is available and popular in such unlikely places as Korea, Japan and Argentina.”

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

*According to The NPD Group/CREST®, Dunkin’ Donuts was the number one server of bagels at Quick Service Restaurants in Year Ending November 2010.

** Visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dunkindonuts/en/promotions/socialrules.html for Terms of Use

Tuesday February 9th is National Bagel Day, a day that Bruegger’s Bagels, founder of the retail bagel concept and holder of the Guinness Book of World Records’ title for largest bagel, takes very seriously.

Americans take bagel eating seriously, too. Americans eat an estimated 3 billion bagels annually, an average of about 11 per person, according to the New York Times.

In honor of National Bagel Day, Bruegger’s surveyed approximately 75,000 fans, via Facebook and email. More than 60 percent of respondents said they have a bagel for a snack, breakfast or lunch at least once per week. Five percent of the respondents are hardcore bagel eaters – they eat them every day!

In the category of favorite bagel flavor, the winners are:

- The Everything Bagel. 22.8% of respondents chose this flavor as their favorite.

- Cinnamon-Raisin. 12.5% of respondents liked it a little sweet.

- Sesame. 10.8% of respondents liked bagels on the seedy side.

- Bruegger’s Asiago Parmesan bagel was a write-in favorite followed by whole wheat and rosemary olive oil bagels.

In the category of favorite bagel topping, the winners are:

- Plain cream cheese. 21% like it plain.

- Honey walnut cream cheese. 13.8% were nutty for honey walnut.

- Butter. 12% want to “stick” to the basics.

- Peanut butter and jalapeno cream cheese were write-in favorites.

- Naked. 3% of respondents thought Bruegger’s bagels were perfect just as they are – without any spread.

In 1983, when Bruegger’s was founded, bagels were a northeast regional favorite. Today, Bruegger’s sells bagels in 291 locations across 25 states.

“Bagels have become an American tradition loved by generations of families,” said James Greco, Bruegger’s CEO. “We pride ourselves on making the most authentic bagels available, and are pleased to share the centuries-old, time-tested tradition with our guests.”

Bagels rose in popularity in the U.S. late in the 1960s through the automated production and distribution of frozen bagels by bagel bakers Harry Lender and Florence Sender. Before Nord Brue and Mike Dressell started Bruegger’s in 1983, they worked with a professional bagel baker from New York City for 2 1/2 years to perfect their recipe and baking process. The authentic, New York-style bagel is made with just five ingredients – flour, salt, yeast, water and malt. The dough is freshly baked throughout the day in each of Bruegger’s bakeries, resulting in the product billions of Americans clamor for each year.

In 2009, Bruegger’s sold 87 million bagels. Topping all those bagels was more than 2.5 million pounds of cream cheese. Bruegger’s is also credited with creating the world’s largest bagel on August 27, 2004. The oversized bagel weighed in at 868 pounds and required 1,100 pounds of dough, 900 gallons of water and a bake time of 10 hours.

Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., is a leader in the fast casual restaurant segment. In its 291 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia, Bruegger’s is dedicated to serving delicious, authentically made food that brings guests back again and again. Famous for genuine New York-style bagels baked fresh throughout the day, Bruegger’s also bakes an array of fresh breads on site including honey wheat and hearty white. Guests can chose a variety of menu items, all free of trans-fats, that include unique cream cheese flavors, breakfast sandwiches, hand-tossed salads, hearty soups, sandwiches, panini and desserts. Every day the neighborhood bakery features a Fair Trade Certified coffee from Green Mountain Coffee with a frequently changing menu reflecting seasonal and geographical specialties. Founded in 1983, Bruegger’s is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont and supports its neighbors in every community it serves. For more information, please visit www.brueggers.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brueggers.

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On the heels of its successful Bagel Bonanza – the world’s largest online bagel giveaway – Einstein Bros. Bagels is again offering a delicious deal to its Facebook Fans.  To celebrate National Bagel Day, February 9, all fans of the Einstein Bros. Facebook page will have the opportunity to download a digital coupon for a free Einstein’s bagel with the purchase of a bagel. Coupons will be available via www.facebook.com/einsteinbros to existing and new fans on National Bagel Day (February 9, 2010) only and are valid through February 16. Offer continues while supplies last and is valid only at participating Einstein Bros. Bagels locations.

“There’s no better place to enjoy National Bagel Day than at Einstein Bros. Bagels, America’s number one bagel restaurant brand,” said James O’Reilly, Chief Concept Officer, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc.  ”To celebrate, we want to reward our fans on Facebook and new ones with an offer to get a delicious bagel for free.  This is just one of the many ways we’re using Facebook to engage our fans.”

The Free Bagel Bonanza launched January 25 and grew the Einstein Facebook following from

4,000 fans to more than 300,000 in less than two days. The free offer was launched to drive restaurant traffic, while quickly building the Einstein Bros. Brand on Facebook where the company is planning more customer engagement and future promotions.

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. is a leading company in the quick casual restaurant industry that operates and licenses locations primarily under the Einstein Bros. and Noah’s New York Bagels brands and primarily franchises locations under the Manhattan Bagel brand. The company’s retail system consists of approximately 600 restaurants in 36 states and the District of Columbia. It also operates a dough production facility. The company’s stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol BAGL. Visit www.einsteinnoah.com for additional information.

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