Leading Executives in Bakeries and Bake Shops

Paul Carbone

Chief Executive Officer, Panera Brands (Panera Bread, Einstein Bros. Brands, Caribou Coffee)

Paul became CEO on March 25, 2025 after serving as interim CEO and CFO, and now steers one of the world’s largest bakery‑café platforms (3,700+ locations; 64M+ loyalty members).

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Josh Charlesworth

Chief Executive Officer, Krispy Kreme, Inc.

Longtime operator who became CEO on Jan 1, 2024; now leading a reset focused on profitable U.S. expansion and capital‑light international franchising after ending the McDonald’s partnership.

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Jason McGowan

Co‑founder & Chief Executive Officer, Crumbl Cookies

Tech‑minded co‑founder who scaled Crumbl to 1,071+ locations and $1B+ system sales, powered by social media dominance.

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Darren Tipton

Chief Executive Officer (North America), Paris Baguette North America

Franchise growth leader driving the bakery‑café’s North American surge past 200 locations, with plans for 100+ openings in 2025.

Tony Hunsoo Ahn

Chief Executive Officer, International, TOUS les JOURS (CJ Foodville)

Heads the international business of the French‑Asian bakery brand, advancing U.S. growth past 100 stores and building new U.S. production capacity.

Andy Kuo

Chief Executive Officer (USA), 85°C Bakery Cafe USA

U.S. chief expanding the Taiwanese bakery‑café’s footprint, including East Coast openings, for a 1,000+‑unit global brand.

John Maguire

Chief Executive Officer, Levain Bakery

Multi‑unit restaurant veteran guiding Levain’s measured national rollout while preserving its cult cookie brand.

Pano Christou

Chief Executive Officer, Pret A Manger

CEO navigating expansion and new value formats while addressing a 2024 goodwill write‑down and portfolio reshaping.

Bobbie Lloyd

Chief Executive Officer & Chief Baking Officer, Magnolia Bakery

Culinary operator‑CEO overseeing brand evolution from iconic NYC bakery to franchising and CPG, while keeping its classic desserts front and center.

Beatriz “Betty” Porto

Vice President & Co‑owner, Porto’s Bakery & Café

Second‑generation co‑owner helping scale L.A.’s beloved bakery (and its Bake‑at‑Home e‑commerce) with a new Downtown Disney location on the way.

Flynn Dekker

Chief Executive Officer, Shipley Do‑Nuts

Growth‑focused CEO since 2023, accelerating the 1936 Texas brand’s multi‑state expansion and guiding it through a new private‑equity ownership transition.

Betsy Hamm

Chief Executive Officer, Duck Donuts

Operator‑CEO leading the made‑to‑order doughnut brand past 145 shops in the U.S. and abroad.

Chris Schultz

Chief Executive Officer, Voodoo Doughnut

Industry veteran scaling Portland’s cult doughnut icon beyond the Pacific Northwest since 2018.

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Seth Berkowitz

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Insomnia Cookies

Founder‑CEO who grew the late‑night cookie chain through and beyond its Krispy Kreme era; remained CEO after the 2024 sale to Verlinvest and Mistral.

Candace Nelson

Co‑founder (former CEO); Investor/Advisor, Sprinkles

Co‑founder credited with pioneering the modern cupcake bakery and the Cupcake ATM; now an investor/author shaping dessert trends.

Katherine Kallinis Berman

Co‑founder & Co‑owner, Georgetown Cupcake

TV‑famous co‑founder who helped build a media‑savvy cupcake brand that now ships nationwide.

Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne

Co‑founder & Co‑owner, Georgetown Cupcake

Co‑founder of the DC‑born brand featured on TLC’s DC Cupcakes, expanding the concept across cities and e‑commerce.

Rosalie Guillem

Chief Executive Officer & Co‑founder, Le Macaron French Pastries

CEO/co‑founder growing a 60+ unit French patisserie franchise in the U.S., including a 2025 premium chocolate tie‑in with Leonidas.

Daryl Dollinger

Chief Executive Officer, Cinnaholic

Franchise operator‑CEO scaling the 100% vegan cinnamon‑roll concept to 90+ stores with aggressive multi‑unit development.

Dan (Daniel) Giraudo

Chief Executive Officer, Boudin Bakery

Third‑generation owner‑CEO leading San Francisco’s 175‑year‑old sourdough icon and its statewide bakery‑cafés.