| FastCo Works LOGIN SUBSCRIBE advertisement BYÂ Grace Snelling Listen to this ArticleMore info 0:00 / 0:00 There was a time, back in the mid-2010s, when Starbucks was in its prime. It was an era characterized by handwritten notes on cups, signature purple chairs, and coffee houses teeming with people sitting down to enjoy a morning pick-me-up. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol wants to revive that era—starting by adding hundreds of thousands of chairs back into its stores. "When it's truly a third place, I think ...

Core Insights - J. Skinner Baking has appointed David Kowal as CEO, who has extensive experience in the food industry, including leadership roles at BrightPet Nutrition Group and Dawn Food Products [1][2][3] - The company aims to accelerate innovation, enhance market impact, and foster a culture of bold ideas under Kowal's leadership [2][3] - J. Skinner, established in 1983, is one of the largest in-store bakery providers in the US, with products available in over 30,000 retail locations [3][4] Company Overview - J. Skinner Baking is headquartered in Nebraska and employs 800 people, specializing in pastries and ready-to-eat baked goods for grocery in-store bakeries and foodservice providers [2][3] - The company was acquired by private-equity firm Stellex Capital Management in June of the previous year, transitioning from family ownership [4] Executive Team - Alongside Kowal, Dave Meltzer has been appointed as chief commercial officer, previously serving as chief sales officer at Teasdale Latin Foods [3] - Meltzer emphasizes the potential for deepening customer relationships and expanding into new markets [3]

Industry Trend - Savory pastries are becoming New York's favorite new value meal [1]