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Call Your Mother lands Philadelphia food license for Fishtown shop

Call Your Mother lands Philadelphia food license for Fishtown shop

Money Moves Philadelphia, PA local

D.C.-based bagel chain records its first city permit on the same day it opens on Frankford Avenue

September 10th, 2026: City issues first food license to Call Your Mother Corporation

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections issued a food preparing and serving license to Call Your Mother Corporation for 1500 Frankford Avenue on September 10, 2026. The city record does not show whether the shop has opened or is still preparing to serve customers.

The license is the first city permit on file for the address. The Washington, D.C.-based bagel chain announced plans for the Fishtown location in January 2026 and said more Philadelphia shops would follow.

Why it matters

If Call Your Mother succeeds in Fishtown, a private-equity-backed chain reshapes a neighborhood known for independent shops.

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Key Indicators

28
Call Your Mother locations across the U.S.
The chain grew from a handful of D.C. shops to 28 locations after investment firm Invus bought a stake in early 2025.
$9-$15
Sandwich price range in Philadelphia
The chain's menu includes 19 sandwiches, with most priced in this range.
2026-09-10
Date of first Philadelphia food license
One official record filed with the City of Philadelphia on this date.

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People Involved

AD
Andrew Dana
Co-founder and co-owner of Call Your Mother
Leading expansion into Philadelphia
DM
Daniela Moreira
Co-founder and chef of Call Your Mother
Developing menu for Philadelphia locations

Organizations Involved

CY
Call Your Mother
Bagel chain
Opening first Philadelphia location; two more on the way

A Washington, D.C.-based bagel chain known for loaded sandwiches, pink storefronts, and rapid expansion.

Timeline

January 2026 September 2026

3 events Latest: September 10th, 2026 · 4 weeks ago

  1. City issues first food license to Call Your Mother Corporation

    Latest License

    Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections recorded a food preparing and serving license for 1500 Frankford Ave., first issued to this licensee.

  2. Inquirer reports Fishtown shop has opened

    Report

    The Philadelphia Inquirer published a review describing the 1500 Frankford Ave. location as newly opened, noting soft-opening influencer visits.

  3. Call Your Mother announces first Philadelphia location

    Announcement

    Co-owner Andrew Dana said the Fishtown shop at 1500 Frankford Ave. would open in summer 2026, with more locations to follow.

Scenarios

1

Call Your Mother completes three Philadelphia locations by mid-2027

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: The Philadelphia Inquirer, based on co-owner statements

Call Your Mother opened its first Philadelphia shop at 1500 Frankford Ave. The chain has two more locations on the way in Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square West. If the Fishtown shop performs well, the company proceeds with those openings according to its announced plan.

2

Fishtown shop closes within two years amid local pushback

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Local residents quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Some longtime Fishtown residents worry the influx of private-equity-backed chains is changing the neighborhood's character. A resident said the bagel "tasted like it was made somewhere else and shipped here." If the shop fails to build a regular customer base, it could close like other chain locations in gentrifying neighborhoods.

3

Call Your Mother expands to more Philadelphia neighborhoods beyond the three planned

Possible Resolves by Jan 31, 2028

Discussed by: Co-owner Andrew Dana in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Dana said the chain goes "where people want bagels and where we're excited to be." He cited an aggressive expansion after the Invus investment, growing from a handful of shops to 28. If the Philadelphia locations are profitable, the company may add more shops in the region.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2016

Sweetgreen expands into Philadelphia (2016)

Sweetgreen, a fast-casual salad chain backed by venture capital, opened its first Philadelphia location in Rittenhouse Square. The chain had grown from a single D.C. shop to dozens of locations across the East Coast.

Then

The chain drew long lines and became a fixture in the neighborhood.

Now

Sweetgreen's presence became a marker of corporate retail entering areas once dominated by independent businesses.

Why this matters now

A Fishtown resident cited Sweetgreen down the street as evidence that private-equity-backed chains were already reshaping the neighborhood.

2015

Cava's rapid expansion after Invus investment (2015)

Invus, an investment firm, backed Cava, a Mediterranean fast-casual chain that had opened its first location in Rockville, Maryland, in 2011. The investment helped Cava grow from a handful of shops to a national brand with hundreds of locations.

Then

Cava's growth accelerated dramatically and the chain went public in 2023.

Now

Invus's model of investing in food chains poised for scale became a template for Call Your Mother's own expansion.

Why this matters now

Invus purchased a stake in Call Your Mother at the start of 2025, the same firm that had backed Cava's growth.

Sources

(4)
+1
City of Philadelphia Open Data The Philadelphia Inquirer Call Your Mother Deli The Philadelphia Inquirer