Peoria Bagel Shop Will Pitch at New York Growth Lab
Bright-O-Bagels will join seven other firms on November 14 to access resources and industry guidance.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Would you prefer to join a business incubator to gain experience for your own startup?
Bright-O-Bagels, a Peoria-based concept established in 2025 under BrightSide Kitchen, has been selected as one of eight businesses to attend the BagelUp Growth Lab. The event will take place on November 14, 2026, at Loft 39 in New York.
Why it matters
The Growth Lab aims to provide emerging food service entrepreneurs with the specialized connections and industry resources necessary to navigate high failure rates in the hospitality sector. Roughly 40-50% of new food service establishments close within five years of launching.
Eight businesses were selected for the event, which addresses a sector where 40-50% of establishments close within five years.
The players
Bright-O-Bagels
A startup food service concept based in Peoria that was established in 2025.
Josh Lanning
The creator of the Peoria-based Bright-O-Bagels concept.
BrightSide Kitchen
The parent organization or operational group associated with Bright-O-Bagels.
The details
At the event, participants will pitch their business concepts and present product samples to industry attendees. The program includes educational presentations and offers ongoing support through the Growth Lab Partner Program, which connects entrepreneurs with vendors for operational guidance.
Timeline
Bright-O-Bagels was created in 2025.
The BagelUp Growth Lab will occur on November 14, 2026.
Market Landscape
The Growth Lab is scheduled to take place one day before New York BagelFest to maximize industry access for attendees. This placement follows a common strategy of pairing business incubation programs with major industry trade events to capture the attention of stakeholders.
Operators in the food service space should monitor how the Growth Lab Partner Program facilitates vendor connections and operational scaling. Reviewing these mentorship models can provide a benchmark for evaluating your own supply chain and professional development needs.
The takeaway
Participation in targeted industry labs can provide critical professional guidance to improve the longevity of a new food service business. Operators should track the outcomes of such programs to identify potential vendors or best practices for their own business models.
Further reading
For more on local business growth, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Indianapolis Star.
Live Poll
Would you prefer to join a business incubator to gain experience for your own startup?
