MTL Bagel: franchise opportunity
A focused franchise concept built on hand-rolled Montréal bagels and a Jamaican kitchen, from a family business in Côte Saint-Luc. Active Business is developing the MTL Bagel franchise network and is now speaking with prospective franchisees.
The concept at a glance
- 2,500+
- bagels baked every day
- 15
- bagel flavours, from sesame to spicy all-dressed
- $225K
- approximate turnkey investment
- 900–1,500
- square feet per store
A Montréal bagel bakery with a Jamaican heart
Glen Spence came to Montréal from Jamaica and learned the bagel trade at one of the city's original bagel bakeries. More than a decade ago he opened MTL Bagel in Côte Saint-Luc: hand-rolled bagels, baked fresh every day, sold over the counter and through a wholesale division. In 2023 he opened MTL Yardie next door, serving jerk chicken, roti and patties from the island kitchen he grew up with.
Business of the Month
City of Côte Saint-Luc, both businesses
Best of Montreal, ethnic food
The Suburban readers' choice, MTL Yardie
One counter, four platforms
The franchise menu takes the best of both kitchens and keeps it focused, so it sells across the day and is quick to learn.
Bagels
Hand-rolled Montréal bagels, delivered fresh from the home bakery. Singles, packs and sandwiches.
Cream cheese
House spreads for the counter, plus tubs to take home.
Jerk chicken
The house staple, standardized for plates and handhelds.
Roti
Chicken and vegetable roti for a fast, filling lunch.
In testing: a jerk chicken bagel that brings both kitchens together.
A bagel shop built to be simple to run
- Bagels delivered fresh. Baked at the original Côte Saint-Luc bakery and delivered to your store. No wood oven, no overnight baking crew.
- A focused menu. Four platforms instead of two full menus: fewer ingredients, faster training, less waste.
- Sales across the day. Bagels and coffee in the morning, jerk chicken and roti at lunch and dinner.
- Made for takeout and delivery. Takeout and delivery already drive sales at the original counters.
- Training before you open. Four weeks of hands-on training at the original store, an operations manual and set standards.
- Opening support. Help with site selection, lease review, store design, suppliers and your launch.
Investment at a glance
- Turnkey investment, approx.
- $225,000
- Liquid capital, approx.
- $50,000
- Store size
- 900–1,500 sq ft
- Franchise fee, included in turnkey
- $25,000
- Royalty
- 5% of sales
- Marketing fund
- 1.5% of sales
Financing: small business loans may be available to qualified candidates, under certain conditions. Figures are approximate; final figures are provided in the franchise disclosure document.
Is this your next business?
- An owner-operator who wants to be in the store, leading the team.
- Experience managing people in food service, retail or hospitality.
- Respect for recipes, standards and the customer experience.
- About $50,000 in liquid capital, with small business financing possible under certain conditions.
- Ties to your community and an eye for a strong location.
Six steps to opening day
Inquire
Send your details and preferred area.
Discovery call
Meet the team and learn the concept.
Apply
Application and financial qualification.
Visit
Spend time at the original store.
Sign
Review the documents with your own lawyer.
Train and open
Site, build-out, training and launch.
Let's talk
Tell us about yourself and the area you have in mind. Franchise inquiries are handled by Lorne Cassoff, Active Business.
Request franchise information Call 514-889-2488
Taste the original: MTL Bagel · MTL Yardie, 5452 Westminster Avenue, Côte Saint-Luc
This page is for information only and is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer is made only through a franchise disclosure document where required by law. Concept details may change as the franchise system is finalized.