Bakery

Atlanta Bread Company Corporate Office

Atlanta Bread Company was founded in 1993, when brothers, Jerry and Basil Couvaras purchased a Sandy Springs Sandwich shop. The company began franchise operations the following year. The company operates a chain of sandwich and bakery shops in the US.

The company grew very quickly and by 2006 had more than 232 franchises, as well as corporate owned locations. The Couvaras brothers were charged with fraud in South Africa in 2004 and paid more than $5.5 million in fines, but avoided jail time. The company suffered as a result, with most small business administration loans going into default. The company ranked #11 on the SBA’s list of 25 Worst Franchises.

CEO Jerry Couvaras states that the company is back on track, however, and growing once more, but this time, more slowly. Today the company has about 50 locations, but they are hiring once more and making plans to re-open some of their former locations in 2017.

Atlanta Bread Company

History

Shipley Do-Nuts Corporate Office

Shipley Do-Nuts was founded in 1936 by Lawrence Shipley, in Houston, Texas. Shipley spent a great deal of time perfecting what he believed was the perfect donut. The original price for a dozen donuts was 5 cents. By the 1940’s, the donuts had become to popular that the company began selling them in retail locations.

Today, Shipley Do-Nuts has 400 locations in 6 states, with plans to have 500 stores or more by the year 2020. What sets Shipley Do-Nuts apart from the rest are that the company not only bakes them fresh each day, they bake small batches so most customers will enjoy a hot, fresh donut that is minutes old, rather than hours old.

The company also offers a wide range of beverages including coffees, espresso, cappuccinos, and iced coffee drinks. Franchising began in the 1950’s. Shipley Do-Nuts also offers catering and pre-orders for large groups.

Shipley Do-Nuts

History

Polly’s Pies Corporate Office

Polly’s Pies was founded in 1968 in Fullerton, California, by brothers Don and Ed Sheldrake. The name Polly’s was used because the first location had front door handles which were shaped like the letter P. Rather than buy new door handles, the brothers decided to simply make a company name that suited it. Polly was the name of the manager’s newborn daughter. The original name was Polly’s Tasty Food and Pies, but this was later shortened to simply Polly’s Pies.

The company operates a chain of restaurants whose focus is pies. The company currently has 16 locations, all in California, along with 14 KFC franchises. Polly’s Pies also offers hamburgers, sandwiches, coleslaw, salads, and, of course, pies.

Polly’s Pies differs from many other similar restaurants in that almost everything is made by hand with fresh ingredients. The company offers a gluten free menu, as well as weekly specials and online coupons.

Polly's Pies

History

Randy’s Donuts Corporate Office

Randy’s Donuts was founded in 1953 in Inglewood, California, by Russell Wendell, a former donut making machine salesman. The company is perhaps best known for the giant sized donut sitting atop the drive in. The donut has become an icon in Southern California and has been featured in numerous movies, including Iron Man 2, 2012, and Mars Attacks.

The company offers premium type donuts, lemonade, and a variety of coffees. The company differs from other donut companies as offers drive through service, takes to-go orders over the phone, and is open 24 hours. Randy’s Donuts makes everything by hand, which the company feels makes a better product.

Randy’s Donuts has received numerous awards, including being named Los Angeles Hot List #1 for Best Donuts 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, as well as CBS News Best of Los Angeles Donuts in 2015.

Randy's Donuts

Randy’s Donuts has received numerous awards, including being named Los Angeles Hot List #1 for Best Donuts 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, as well as CBS News Best of Los Angeles Donuts in 2015.

History

Bellvale Farms Creamery Corporate Office

Bellvale Farms Creamery goes back to 1819 when William Wisener purchased the Bellvale Farm. The farm itself is still active and has 450 acres of land, but the ice cream shop was put atop Mt. Peter, almost directly on the Appalachian trail, in 2003.

The company offers handmade ice cream with the butterfat from the cows on the farm, along with homemade pies, ice cream cakes, and ice cream pies. Bellvale Farms Creamery has more than 50 ice cream flavors and ice cream dishes, including the Bellvale Bog, which has brownie dough and fudge swirled inside chocolate ice cream.

Bellvale Farms won second place as Best Ice Cream Shop, by clients of TripAdvisor. The farm itself has been continuously owned by 7 generations of family members and continues to serve the Warwick valley.

Bellvale Farms Creamery