Ep 296 – Building a Bagel Empire: Inside Benjamin Vaughan’s, Mile End Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Vaughan, CEO and Co-Founder of Mile End Bagels, to unpack the story behind one of Melbourne’s most beloved bagel institutions.

Ben shares his journey from launching a crepe stall at Melbourne Uni with a $5,000 credit card to building a cult-followed brand known for its Montreal-style bagels, strong culture, and unwavering commitment to quality.

We dive into the realities of running and scaling a hospitality business, understanding your numbers, building a dedicated team, crafting a standout product, and navigating growth with intention. Ben also shares insights into Mile End’s menu development, customer experience philosophy, and his plans to expand into Sydney and Brisbane.

A warm, honest conversation about creativity, resilience, and what it truly takes to build a brand that lasts.



Guest info:

mile-end.com.au / @mile_end_bagels

Connect with POH:

principleofhospitality.com / @principle_of_hospitality

For Brand Strategy, Design & Creative Support:

principledesign.com.au / @principledesign

A big thank you to Pay.com.au for sponsoring this episode and for their continued support of Australia’s hospitality industry.

Pay.com.au, is a payment platform that rewards your business for doing what it already does every day: paying suppliers, rent, utilities and more. Learn more at Pay.com.au, today!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pay.com.au