Downtown Fresno has a new breakfast option with Einstein Bros. Bagels opening
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Einstein Bros. opened downtown Fresno at Kern and N, joining two other city locations.
- Co-owner Patrick Monreal cites downtown foot traffic and city revitalization plans.
- Shop targets weekday commuters, offers catering to 500 and plans regional growth.
The popular bagel chain Einstein Bros. Bagels is officially open in downtown Fresno.
The bagel shop at the corner of Kern and N streets is bringing its signature menu of fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches and coffee to the heart of the city.
The downtown opening marks the bagel chain’s latest expansion in the Central Valley, joining two other Fresno locations on Golden State Boulevard near Highway 99 and in River Park.
Patrick Monreal, a local developer and co-owner of all three locations, said he decided to bring a well-established franchise like Einstein Bros. Bagels to Fresno because he saw an opportunity for healthy competition in the region’s breakfast scene.
“There are some longtime bagel shops and breakfast spots here, but we chose this brand because there wasn’t a single Einstein Bros. in the entire Central Valley,” he said. “We like the product, and we think it really serves the community well.”
The Einstein Bros. debuts in downtown as the city aims to grow the area’s population to more than 10,000 residents by encouraging new affordable housing, apartments, and commercial development. Backed by hundreds of millions in state funding, the plan supports infrastructure upgrades, new parking structures, and other key improvements designed to make downtown more walkable, inviting, and active well beyond business hours.
Monreal said he wants the Einstein Bros. downtown location to be a part of that revitalization effort.
“I think downtown is the backbone of our community,” he said. “The revitalization plan that Mayor Jerry Dyer and the city have been pushing is something I really want to be a part of. I want to show other businesses I work with that I’m putting my money where my mouth is, that we’re going all in.”
Some of the chain’s most popular menu items include the Asiago cheese bagel, cheesy hash brown bagel, breakfast brisket bagel and Monreal’s personal favorite, the All Nighter — a classic bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwich.
“I think it’s a new menu option for a lot of people who don’t get outside the Valley much, that haven’t experienced Einstein’s in other cities and states,” Monreal said.
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s currently closed on weekends.
“Typically, breakfast restaurants in Fresno do very well on weekends, and since we’re not open then, we rely heavily on weekday traffic from Monday through Friday, so we need the support,” he said.
Monreal envisions opening additional locations throughout the Central Valley.
“I do feel that there is going to be a need as Clovis expands further to the east,” Monreal said. “I could see us servicing the Valley in that area, and then also possibly other parts of the Central Valley. But for the time being, I think we’ve kind of done our job here in Fresno.”
