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Brooklyn Dumpling Shop opens at Barclays Center, marking brand’s first location in namesake borough

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop Barclays Center Location (1)
The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop kiosk inside Barclays Center debuted on Jan. 4, marking the innovative brand’s first location in its namesake borough.
Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, the innovative dumpling brand that launched in 2021, has opened its first location in its namesake borough, marking a homecoming of sorts for the fast-growing chain.

The new outpost, a kiosk inside the Barclays Center, debuted on Jan. 4, offering fans a taste of the brand’s tech-driven approach to dumplings.

The opening of the first Brooklyn location drew criticism from some Brooklynites online who questioned the validity of their connection to the borough, but Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly says the chain’s link to Kings County runs deep.

The Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is a spin-off of the popular Brooklyn Chop House, founded by Brooklyn natives Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins and David Thomas, alongside restaurateur Stratis Morfogen.

“The dumplings at Brooklyn Chop House took on a life of their own,” Galletly told the Brooklyn Paper, explaining how the specialty dumplings — featuring flavors ranging from Korean BBQ to bacon cheeseburger — led to the creation of the standalone brand. Since its launch, the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop has expanded to 12 locations across the U.S. and Canada, with its frozen dumplings now available in select supermarkets nationwide.

The chain has also attracted high-profile investors, including “Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary and businessman Matt Higgins, who joined in late 2023 to help fuel its growth.

Spurred by the pandemic and advances in automation, the chain allows customers to order via QR codes or touchscreen menus. Once their order is ready, a barcode unlocks an automat-style door to retrieve their dumplings.

 
 
 
 
 
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Galletly stressed that despite the high-tech setup, human employees remain central to the operation.

“At our core, something that remains paramount to us is a spirit of hospitality,” he said. “There are people in our shops working hard to make great food and serve our customers. It’s not technology for technology’s sake.”

The Barclays Center location is a compact kiosk, similar to other food vendors in the arena, but Galletly said the company is actively searching for a permanent storefront in Brooklyn.

“We’ve now had five or six games under our belts, and the reaction from the fans at Barclays has been tremendous,” he said. “We are ferociously scouting for a proper permanent location in Brooklyn. It’s our roots, our namesake, and we really want to be there.”

After evaluating about 40 potential sites, Galletly anticipates the first flagship Brooklyn location will open in the first half of 2025.