For those who have already discovered Ugly Bagel, the concept needs little introduction. The Nashville-born brand has quickly cultivated a loyal following with its hand-rolled bagels, cheeky branding, and an approach to hospitality that feels as personal as it does modern. After opening its first brick-and-mortar shop inside The Arcade in downtown Nashville last fall, Ugly Bagel is ready for its next chapter: a new location at Meridian Cool Springs, which opened in October at 2000 Meridian Boulevard, Suite 100, in Franklin.
Co-founders and longtime Nashville residents Jeff Crabiel and Jake Strang are no strangers to hospitality. Between them, they have spent decades shaping experiences that prioritize connection over transaction. Ugly Bagel, which first made its mark at local farmers markets before evolving into a downtown storefront, is their answer to the fast-casual concept. It blends convenience with genuine care in a way that is rare in the space.
“We like to say hospitality is our bread and butter, and we’re thrilled to bring Ugly Bagel to a community like Cool Springs,” Crabiel said. “Our mission has always been to spread joy through life’s simple moments, one hand-rolled bagel at a time.”
That mission comes to life in ways both practical and playful. At the original Arcade shop, guests encounter a Bagel Concierge, a dedicated team member who helps with mobile orders, manages kiosks, and answers questions with a smile. There is also the Rolling Window, where visitors can watch bagels being shaped, boiled, and baked. It is a rare glimpse behind the curtain in a fast-casual setting. This blend of high-touch service and tech-enabled speed distinguishes Ugly Bagel from its peers.
The Cool Springs expansion builds on that foundation. For Crabiel and Strang, the move south into Franklin was always part of the plan. “We built Ugly Bagel for the suburbs,” Crabiel said. “Downtown was an important proof of concept, but we knew from the beginning that we wanted to serve the communities where people actually live. Cool Springs is vibrant, family-friendly, and underserved in the bagel department. It is exactly where we want to be.”
Meridian Cool Springs, the 60-acre mixed-use district that combines Class A office space with hotels, dining, and retail, provides a fitting backdrop for the brand’s next step. The shop features a special tile mosaic at the entrance reading “Spread Joy,” a message that captures Ugly Bagel’s ethos before customers even walk through the door. Inside, expect the same hand-rolled bagels, customizable cream cheese combinations, and specialty sandwiches that have fueled long lines at the downtown location. Ugly Bagel’s private-label coffee program, with blends like “Uggy’s Blend” and “El Jefe Brew,” will also return, with the team emphasizing catering and mobile to-go orders to serve corporate groups, busy families, and community events across the neighborhood.
The menu does not stop at the classics. Monthly flavor drops, a rotating selection of limited-edition bagels and spreads, are a cornerstone of the concept. Past hits have included the CMA Fest Dolly Parton Bagel with a pink sprinkle bagel, banana pudding schmear, and Nilla wafers; summer-favorite Key Lime Schmear with a Graham Cracker Bagel; the viral heart-shaped Red Velvet Bagel for Valentine’s Day; and for those craving savory, guests can expect the return of the Sage & Onion Schmear and the Truffle Garlic Bagel during winter.
The Cool Springs debut also carries larger implications for Ugly Bagel’s trajectory. What began as a small idea has quickly become a scalable model. “The response has been overwhelming from day one,” Crabiel said. “People don’t just want a perfect-looking bagel. They want flavor, quality, and a story they can connect with. This expansion is proof that when you combine great food with a mission people believe in, demand follows.”
Looking ahead, the founders are candid about their ambitions. Ugly Bagel is already exploring markets like Mt. Juliet, with additional Middle Tennessee neighborhoods under review. The team is also eyeing opportunities in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville, and Lexington. Expansion to the Southeast is expected to play a major role in the brand’s next growth phase, with franchising efforts on the horizon.
Our vision has always been bigger than one shop,” Crabiel said. “Every new location serves as a blueprint for how we take Ugly Bagel nationwide.”
For now, the focus remains firmly on Cool Springs. “We want guests to feel like they have walked into a place that is warm, welcoming, and a little unexpected,” Crabiel said. “Of course, they will get amazing bagels, but we also hope they leave with a smile.”
Ugly Bagel may call its creations “ugly,” but in Cool Springs, the future looks undeniably bright. For additional information, visit uglybagel.com and follow them on social media @theuglybagelco. Order online or better yet, stop by between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. for a delicious, hand-rolled bagel at either location, and let them cater your next event!
CONNER MCKIEVER, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is a communications strategist working across hospitality, lifestyle, food & beverage, spirits, and music. Her writing and brand work spotlight the intersections of travel, food, and culture, with an eye toward experiences that spark connection.
