Sara Lee Frozen Bakery appointed Peter Laport as CEO, succeeding Craig Bahner, who is stepping down from his role, the Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-based frozen baked goods manufacturer announced Feb. 23. Laport brings more than three decades of experience leading consumer and food businesses across North America and global markets. He is recognized for building resilient […]
Category: Bakery News
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, Featured News, National, News
Schwass Takes Helm At IDDBA As Haaf Departs
International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) CEO David Haaf has stepped down from his position effective Feb. 26, the organization’s board of directors announced. Chris Schwass, the association’s CFO, has been appointed acting CEO. Schwass, who has 28 years of experience at the Madison-Wisconsin-based organization, will lead operations while the board begins the search for […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Top Baking Trends Shaping In-Store Bakeries In 2026
In 2026, in-store bakery is becoming a “solution department” more than a “nice-to-have case.” Shoppers still buy baked goods with their senses, taste and price remain the top two purchase drivers, but the bar for what counts as a good indulgence is rising. Recent consumer research continues to show that taste drives purchase decisions first, […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Rise Baking Co. Identifies 5 Trends Shaping 2026 Bakery Category
Rise Baking Co. released its outlook for the bakery sector in 2026, highlighting five consumer behaviors and market dynamics expected to influence in-store bakery and foodservice operations throughout the year. The Minneapolis-based manufacturer – which supplies cakes, cookies, muffins and pies to grocery chains, convenience stores and foodservice operators – identified indulgence, portion variety, flavor […]
Posted inBakery News, News, West
Otis Spunkmeyer Removes Artificial Dyes From All U.S. Products
Otis Spunkmeyer has removed all artificial food grade dyes from its branded baked goods, with 100 percent of products manufactured after Jan. 1 not having any Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) colors. The reformulation affects all Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, muffins and sweet baked goods sold in foodservice and retail in-store bakery channels. A small […]
Posted inBakery News, Center Store, Frozen Food, National, News
Rich Products Acquires Great Kitchens Food Co. From Brynwood Partners
Rich Products Corp. has acquired Great Kitchens Food Co. from Brynwood Partners VIII, a Greenwich, Connecticut-based private equity firm, in a transaction that recently closed. Financial terms were not disclosed. Great Kitchens manufactures pizzas, flatbreads, strombolis and calzones sold to grocery, club and mass retailers, as well as foodservice outlets nationwide. Brynwood VIII formed Great […]
Posted inBakery News, C-Store News, News
Ditsch Opens First U.S. Store As Shop-In-Shop Inside El Paso OXXO
Ditsch, a traditional German bakery, has opened its first dedicated point of sale in the United States with a shop-in-shop location inside an OXXO convenience store in El Paso, Texas. Its product range includes classics such as pretzels, pretzel sticks, pretzel croissants and Ditsch pizza, along with additions tailored to local tastes, such as Jalapeño […]
Posted inExecutive News, Bakery News, News, West
Hendrix Honored As USC’s 2026 Food Industry Executive Of The Year
The USC Marshall School of Business has named Jeffrey Hendrix, senior executive at Bimbo Bakeries USA, as its Food Industry Executive of the Year for the Food Industry Management Program’s 2026 cohort. USC has recognized an exceptional food industry leader annually for nearly six decades. The honor goes to executives whose careers reflect strategic leadership, […]