Bagel giant

of Lakewood, Colo. has purchased local bagel chain

for an undisclosed amount.

Kettleman's five Portland stores will be folded into one of Einstein's other lines, which include the Einstein Bros., Noah's New York and Manhattan bagel brands. (There are seven Noah's locations in the Portland metro area.)

Kettleman president and founder Jeffrey Wang, who was touring the company's stores today and talking with employees about the sale, wasn't immediately available for comment.

Wang, a Taiwanese immigrant, spent 18 years learning the bagel trade in New York before shifting gears and attempting a career as a computer business entrepreneur. He moved to Portland in 2006, and quickly got back to work boiling bagels in the signature New York style.

Today, Kettleman's 100 employees produce 14,000 bagels a day for the stores and 140 wholesale accounts including New Seasons Market, Whole Foods, Intel and Nike. In June,

.

In the release, Wang stated that Einstein Noah's "proven success and personable culture made becoming part of Einstein Noah an attractive and easy decision."

"Now I can retire knowing my company is in good hands," he stated.

According to a press release from Einstein, which operates more than 750 locations across 39 states, the acquisition was aimed at strengthening the company's competitive position in the Pacific Northwest.

--