If it feels like new food spots are popping up everywhere lately… you’re not imagining it.
But here’s the part most people don’t realize: a single company is quietly behind a growing chunk of it and it’s making a serious push across Long Island right now.
From Levittown to Westhampton Beach, a Florida-based franchise group is planting its flag in some very familiar places – and probably a few you’ve driven past without thinking twice.
The Setup: It Starts in Levittown (But Doesn’t End There)
The most immediate move is happening in Levittown, where Nothing Bundt Cakes is about to open inside the Nassau Mall on Hempstead Turnpike. It’s not their first move here either, with existing locations in Carle Place, Commack and Valley Stream.
But this isn’t just another storefront – it’s part of a much bigger expansion strategy.
Here’s what’s coming (and fast):
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A 2,000-square-foot Nothing Bundt Cakes is opening in Levittown
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Another Nothing Bundt Cakes is already planned for Plainview Centre later this year
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A PopUp Bagels location is landing in Westhampton Beach this May
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That Westhampton shop will be the third PopUp Bagels on Long Island
And yes, you’ve probably already seen the other locations:
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PopUp Bagels already operates in Roslyn
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There’s also a seasonal presence in Amagansett Square
The WTF Part: This One Company Is Everywhere
Here’s where it gets interesting.
The company behind all of this started with just 22 Auntie Anne’s locations back in 2015.
Now?
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It has grown to 354 franchised locations nationwide
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Its portfolio is packed with brands you definitely recognize:
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Auntie Anne’s
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Cinnabon
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Jamba
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Carvel
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And now it’s adding Nothing Bundt Cakes and PopUp Bagels to the mix
So yeah… there’s a decent chance you’ve already bought something from them without realizing it.
Why Long Island?
This isn’t random.
Long Island checks a lot of boxes for franchise growth:
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Dense neighborhoods with built-in foot traffic
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Shopping centers that are constantly turning over tenants
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A strong mix of year-round locals and seasonal crowds (especially out east)
And that’s exactly why you’re seeing:
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Levittown for everyday suburban traffic
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Plainview for retail center visibility
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Westhampton Beach for seasonal, high-end summer demand
The Brands Themselves (And Why They Work Here)
Each concept they’re bringing has a very specific lane:
Nothing Bundt Cakes
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Founded in 1997 in Las Vegas
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Now has 600+ locations nationwide
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Known for 10 cake flavors with cream cheese frosting
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Offers multiple sizes, from individual treats to full celebration cakes
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The Levittown shop is opening mid-March
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A larger grand opening event is scheduled for April
PopUp Bagels
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Launched in 2020 in Westport, Connecticut
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Has grown to 30 locations across 10 states and Washington, D.C.
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Focuses on:
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Freshly baked bagels
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Specialty cream cheeses
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Smoked salmon
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The Westhampton Beach location will open in a restored Main Street building
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Franchise startup costs range roughly from $330,000 to over $800,000
The Real Story: This Is Just the Beginning
If you think this is the end of it, it’s not.
The company is already eyeing additional Long Island locations, especially for PopUp Bagels, which means more storefronts are likely coming to towns you already know.
And once you start noticing the pattern, you can’t unsee it:
That new spot in your shopping center?
That chain you swear just showed up out of nowhere?
There’s a decent chance it’s part of the same expansion wave.
The Takeaway
Long Island isn’t just getting new places to eat, it’s becoming a key battleground for national food brands trying to scale quickly.
And the wild part?
It’s happening so quietly that most people don’t even realize one company is behind so much of it.
Photo: Nothing Bundt Cakes Facebook page/Google Maps
