Great Harvest Bread Company

Last updated
Great Harvest Bread Company
Industry Bakeries
Founded1976
FounderPete and Laura Wakeman
Headquarters,
United States
Number of locations
156 stores (2023) [1]
Area served
United States
Products Baked goods,
soup, and sandwiches
Website http://www.greatharvest.com

The Great Harvest Bread Company is a franchise in the United States that sells fresh-baked bread and other items.

Contents

History

In the late 1970s, Pete and Laura Wakeman, college students and founders of Great Harvest, set up a roadside stand and began baking fresh-ground whole wheat bread in Durham, Connecticut. After graduation, they opened the first Great Harvest Company in Great Falls, Montana in 1976. In 1978, the second bakery opened near Kalispell, Montana, then Jacque Sanchez opened a third in Spokane, Washington, which is still in business. Following this, a franchise office was established in 1983. Great Harvest became the nation's first whole grain bread franchise. Great Harvest is led today by President and CEO Mike Ferretti. [2] In 2024, a 70% controlling interest in the company was sold to NewSpring Capital, a private equity firm. [3] [4]

See also

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References

  1. "Great Harvest Bread Company".
  2. Inc., Great Harvest Franchising. "Find a Bakery Cafe Near You". www.greatharvest.com.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  3. NewSpring. "NewSpring Franchise Invests in Fast-Casual Bakery and Café Great Harvest". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  4. Plutt, J. P. (2024-10-02). "Ferretti sells Great Harvest Franchising". Dillon Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-28.