James Nusbaum has been part of the Barry Bagels brand since 1985, when he first worked at the original Toledo, Ohio location as a teenager. Today, he serves as CEO and co-owner of Barry Bagels Franchise Holdings, leading the company’s national expansion while staying closely connected to its roots.
A licensed attorney with experience in litigation and general counsel roles, James has played a key role in developing Barry Bagels’ scalable franchise model, including its hub-and-spoke system and centralized bagel dough manufacturing facility. Known for his hands-on, people-first leadership style, he remains actively involved at the store level, supporting franchise partners and preserving the quality and community focus that define the brand.
Franchise Chatter (FC): Why was 2025 such a defining year for Barry Bagels?…