Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery, the longtime Clifton-based commercial bakery and leader in the thaw-and-sell baked goods category, has been purchased by Minnesota-based Rise Baking Company, one of the baking industry’s most active acquirers of established bakery brands.
The company will continue to operate independently under the leadership of CEO Howard Hirsch and President Michael Pisani while working through a thoughtful transition plan which ensures continuity for employees, customers and business partners.
“Jimmy’s success has been built on quality, craftsmanship and the people behind our business,” Hirsch said. “This acquisition allows us to build on that legacy while creating new opportunities for our employees, partners and customers.”
Jimmy’s, which was founded in 1985, has facilities in East Brunswick, Carteret and Moonachie totaling more than 400,000 square feet. The company’s portfolio includes Jimmy’s Cookies, King Krumb Cookies, and Ecce Panis artisan breads.
Pisani applauded the announcement.
“Our focus remains the same: delivering exceptional products and outstanding service to our customers,” he said. “With Rise, we’ll have even greater resources to innovate, grow and continue meeting our customers’ evolving needs.”
The acquisition was led by the DAK Group. The sale marks the culmination of a long-standing relationship during which DAK advised the company on multiple strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of Ecce Panis from Campbells Soup Company in 2021.
DAK Group CEO Alan Scharfstein said those initiatives helped position Jimmy’s for continued expansion and ultimately maximize shareholder value.
“For years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside the Jimmy’s team as they transformed a great regional bakery into one of the industry’s leading platforms,” he said. “This transaction is about far more than a successful sale. It’s the result of decades of hard work, disciplined execution and strategic growth by the exceptional ownership team. We’re proud to have helped secure a partner that recognizes the strength of what they’ve built and will support the company’s next chapter.”
