PopUp Bagels Appoints New CFO to Drive 100-Unit Growth
The restaurant chain is adding executive financial oversight as it scales its footprint toward a 100-location goal.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Corporate Finance
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PopUp Bagels has promoted Matthew Pisano to chief financial officer to manage the firm's financial strategy and reporting. The Connecticut-based chain, which currently operates more than 50 locations across 15 states, is scaling its infrastructure to meet an expansion goal of 100 total units by the end of 2027.
Why it matters
Scaling from 50 to 100 locations requires a shift in financial controls, accounting rigor, and capital deployment strategies to maintain margins across a broader footprint. The appointment of an experienced financial executive suggests a transition from initial startup growth toward standardized multi-unit operational management.
PopUp Bagels currently operates 50 locations across 15 states, a figure the company intends to double to 100 units by the end of 2027. The company's leadership team now includes the newly appointed CFO alongside a COO named in July 2026.
The players
Matthew Pisano
The new chief financial officer of PopUp Bagels who previously held finance roles at Pink Taco and CohnReznick.
PopUp Bagels
A growing restaurant chain headquartered in Connecticut that operates over 50 locations across 15 states.
Mike Smith
The chief operating officer appointed in July 2026 to manage the firm's expanding multi-unit operations.
Tory Bartlett
The chief executive officer who has led the company since 2024.
The details
As CFO, Pisano will oversee the financial planning, accounting, and reporting functions essential for a chain of this size. With previous experience at Pink Taco and an eight-year tenure at CohnReznick, Pisano brings a background in firm-level financial oversight to the company's existing growth strategy. This structural change aligns with the 2026 addition of a chief operating officer, signaling a shift toward robust administrative governance as the brand moves toward its 100-unit objective.
Timeline
March 2025: Pisano began serving as executive vice president of finance and accounting.
2024: Tory Bartlett began serving as CEO.
July 2026: Mike Smith was named chief operating officer.
October 26, 2026: Pisano was named chief financial officer.
End of 2027: The target date to reach 100 total open locations.
Market Landscape
The promotion follows a common industry pattern where emerging chains install dedicated executive oversight once they surpass 50 units. This staffing shift reflects the transition to the standardized multi-unit scaling phase required to maintain profitability while doubling a footprint.
Operators scaling toward 50+ units should assess whether their current accounting and planning functions can support doubled complexity. As the company hits its 2027 growth target, watch for shifts in their procurement standards and regional supply chain management.
The takeaway
Rapid scaling from 50 to 100 units demands formalized financial oversight to bridge the gap between startup agility and mature corporate governance. Operators should prioritize audit-ready reporting and scalable financial planning models as they clear the 50-unit milestone.
What happens next
Monitor the company's progress toward its 100-location target by the end of 2027.
Further reading
For broader trends in executive leadership shifts, see the latest analysis in Corporate Finance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chain Store Age.
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