The Great American Bagel opened its first bagel bakery in 1987 in Westmont Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. This store was so well received that within a few short years, The Great American Bagel began opening bagel bakeries throughout Chicago. After others began asking how they could share in the success of The Great American Bagel’s success, TGAB began offering The Great American Bagel franchises to those seeking exciting new business opportunities. Today, The Great American Bagel proudly operates many restaurants across the United States and Canada.

All TGAB stores offer a wide variety of fresh baked bagels, homemade cream cheese spreads, made-to-order sandwiches and catering trays. The mission statement behind The Great American Bagel is straightforward and simple:

A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

At each Great American Bagel store, bagels are baked fresh from scratch throughout the day. Each store is equipped with its own bagel bakery and steam-injected oven so all bagels are mixed and baked completely on the premises. Many locations feature glass-enclosed bakeries so the customers can view the entire bagel-making process.

The Great American Bagel’s own special bagel recipes call for only the finest natural ingredients, like high protein flour, sweet molasses and real fruit and nuts. We NEVER freeze our dough or add coloring and preservatives. The result? The only bagel good enough to be called The Great American Bagel, or as we were awarded, “Chicago’s Best Bagel”!

The Great American Bagel’s commitment to quality extends to the rest of our menu as well. Our cream cheese spreads are prepared with only fresh, wholesome ingredients, like 100% natural dairy cheese, fresh vegetables and real Nova Lox. We use only premium quality meats, cheeses, and garden-fresh produce for our sandwiches and catering trays. We also offer an extensive selection of gourmet soups and fresh-brewed coffee.

We invite you to taste our products for yourself. Come in and savor our products, smell our freshness, become immersed in our concept. We are proud of whom we are and what we have to offer. We welcome your experience, expertise and curiosity.

After reviewing the investment summary (MS Word file), which includes details on franchise fees, initial investment, franchise support and more, if you are still interested in obtaining a Great American Bagel, please complete the personal profile application and email it to greatambgl@aol.com or fax 630-963-7799.