Philadelphia Cream Cheese Says ‘Stuff It’ to New York’s Outrageous Bagel Tax With the Debut of the First Ever Tax-Free Bagel

By: The Kraft Heinz Company via Business Wire

April 11, 2023 at 12:25 PM EDT

This Tax Season, fans can enjoy the limited-edition unsliced bagel filled with Philly cream cheese, created in partnership with NYC’s iconic H&H Bagels

New York City may be the bagel capital of the world, but its residents incur a ludicrous “bagel tax” each time they opt to purchase a bagel that’s sliced and schmeared with cream cheese. As a brand that has set the cream cheese standard for 150 years, Philadelphia^® believes that no one should have to pay an extra tax to experience its silky-smooth delight. To address the New York bagel tax head-on, the brand is taking the tax and stuffing it (literally) with the debut of the new, limited-edition Tax-Free Bagel - available nationwide Friday, April 14 through Tax Day, Tuesday, April 18.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230411005228/en/

Just in time for Tax Day, Philadelphia cream cheese and H&H Bagels launch the limited-edition Tax-Free Bagel, an unsliced New York-style bagel filled with smooth, creamy Philly cream cheese. (Photo: Philadelphia)

Created in partnership with the iconic H&H Bagels in New York City – the renowned 50-year-old bagel shop fans across the country know and love – the Tax-Free Bagel is a full-sized, unsliced bagel filled with smooth, creamy Philly cream cheese. The elimination of the bagel’s slice and schmear circumvents the additional tax requirement, making fans’ favorite bagel and schmear all the more enjoyable.

“In today’s landscape, people are juggling enough hurdles, and having to pay an extra tax to enjoy their favorite bagel with Philly cream cheese should simply not be one of them,” said Keenan White, Senior Brand Manager, Philadelphia at Kraft Heinz Company. “A bagel with Philly cream cheese is an experience that so many know and love, so in partnership with H&H bagels, we wanted to provide a delicious solution to this silly tax in a way that kept the enjoyment of our brand at its core, literally.”

The Tax-Free Bagel will be available locally in H&H Bagel’s Manhattan-based locations and for national delivery at HHBagels.com, giving New Yorkers and people coast-to-coast the opportunity to partake in stuffing this ridiculous tax while supplies last. The Tax-Free Bagel will be available in H&H Bagel’s three best-selling flavors of Plain, Everything and Cinnamon Raisin, all stuffed with Philly cream cheese for a rich and creamy taste and texture in each bite.

“We pride ourselves on being ‘like no other bagel in the world,’ and are thrilled to partner with Philly, a fellow category icon that is truly unlike any other cream cheese in the world,” said Jay Rushin, CEO, H&H Bagels. “We know first-hand that bagels and cream cheese are the perfect pairing and want to show appreciation for our fans’ continued support by introducing the Tax-Free Bagel – because we believe nobody should be taxed for the simple pleasure of an H&H bagel with Philly cream cheese.”

For more information on the Tax-Free Bagel and how to purchase, follow along on Philadelphia's Instagram at @phillycreamchs.

About The Kraft Heinz Company

We are driving transformation at The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), inspired by our Purpose, Let’s Make Life Delicious. Consumers are at the center of everything we do. With 2022 net sales of approximately $26 billion, we are committed to growing our iconic and emerging food and beverage brands on a global scale. We leverage our scale and agility to unleash the full power of Kraft Heinz across a portfolio of six consumer-driven product platforms. As global citizens, we’re dedicated to making a sustainable, ethical impact while helping feed the world in healthy, responsible ways. Learn more about our journey by visiting www.kraftheinzcompany.com or following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About H&H Bagels

H&H Bagels was founded in New York City in 1972. For nearly 50 years, they have used their original recipe and the same artisanal water bagel method to make their bagels along with the highest quality, all-natural ingredients sourced from around the world. Their traditional process isn’t easy but it’s what makes their bagels “Like No Other Bagel in the World.” The legendary bagels and iconic brand have established its own legacy in popular culture, both in New York and around the world. In addition to bagels, they are known for high-quality sandwich offerings including house-made spread and salad sandwiches, fresh griddled egg sandwiches, and smoked salmon sandwiches. For more information, visit https://www.hhbagels.com.