Strictly From Scratch, a Phoenix-based commercial bakery specializing in sweet and savory breads and pastries for wholesale distribution, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. The company is now positioning itself for expanded capacity and new product categories heading into 2026.
The bakery, founded in 1995 by Rudy DePaola, has grown into the largest niche commercial bakery in Phoenix and ranks among the top 20 nationally. It is also one of the top three suppliers for the airline industry.
“As we approach 2026, our focus is on smart, sustainable growth,” said Thomas DePaola, senior vice president of Strictly From Scratch. “We’re expanding into new sweet goods categories and introducing exciting new products, including traditional and flavored Kringle varieties, which are already paving the way for expanded commercial opportunities.”
Operations and Reach
Strictly From Scratch employs just under 200 people and produces between five and eight semi-truckloads of bakery goods weekly. The company serves clients in foodservice and commercial channels, supporting both regional and national partners. Its products are available at major national retailers and grocers.
The bakery is Kosher certified by the Orthodox Union, is a certified member of the American Institute of Baking and maintains top BRC audit scores. The company recently launched a line of Hispanic bakery items.
Balancing Craft and Scale
DePaola credits the company’s longevity to a commitment to quality and consistency, along with decades of refining its craft.
“As my father—founder, CEO and president Rudy DePaola—has always said, ‘Know what you do and do it well,'” he said. “We’ve built a highly versatile research and development team and achieved a balance between smart automation and hands-on craftsmanship. This combination enables us to take on complex projects that many large bakeries either can’t or won’t pursue, while remaining highly competitive on price.”
Looking Ahead
The company is exploring strategic acquisitions to broaden its capabilities and reach.
“2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for our brand,” DePaola said. “Customers can expect continuous innovation, streamlined processes and fresh twists on our existing product lines. As we pursue strategic acquisitions, we’re excited about the possibility of introducing new and diverse products while offering our current customers more variety, greater consistency and added value with every order.”
The company’s core goal, he added, remains delivering quality that aligns with the budgets and needs of its foodservice partners across Arizona and its national clients.
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