Food

Bliss Cupcake Cafe Corporate Office

Bliss Cupcake Cafe was founded in 2009 in Lafayette, Arkansas. The original owner, Shelly Cassar, wanted to do something completely different with a bakery. Since breads, bagels, and donuts could be found anywhere, she decided to try using an old fashioned recipe to make cupcakes. Husband and wife team Flint and Rebekah Harris purchased the operation from Cassar in 2011.

The company operates a chain of bakeries which specialize in cupcakes. Franchise operations began in 2010. Today, there are 5 locations throughout the greater Lafayette area, three store owned and two franchises. Depending on the season, the company makes between 9 and 12 flavors every day using 50 old fashioned recipes. The only flavors that remain consistent are Red Velvet and Chocolate Milkshake.

All cupcakes are made and baked in a common location, then transported to the various stores. The company recently introduced gluten free cupcakes, which have become a popular choice even for those who don’t need to follow a gluten free diet.

Bliss Cupcake Cafe

History

Schnucks Supermarket Corporate Office

Schnucks Supermarket was founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1939 by Todd Schnuck. The company grew rapidly and opened its first large store operation in 1947. By 1952, the company had opened a second location. The store symbol of a solider wasn’t added until 1968.

Today, Schnucks Supermarkets has more than 100 locations in 5 midwestern states. The company had annual revenue in 2011 of $206 billion. Schnucks is one of the largest privately owned supermarket chains in America.

In 2002, the company acquired 12 Seessel’s stores from Albertson’s. These stores were later sold to Kroger in 2011.

Schnucks announced in 2012 that the company had experienced a “system compromise” and that possibly as many as 2.4 million debit and credit card numbers were stolen. The problem has since been resolved, according to the CEO.

The company acquired 19 Shop N Save stores in the St. Louis area and in early November of 2018, began to rename and remodel these stores.

Schnucks Supermarket

History

In 2002, the company acquired 12 Seessel’s stores from Albertson’s. These stores were later sold to Kroger in 2011.

The company acquired 19 Shop N Save stores in the St. Louis area and in early November of 2018, began to rename and remodel these stores.

The French Laundry Corporate Office

The French Laundry has a long history that dates back to 1880 when it was used as a saloon. The building itself is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1920’s, the building was used as a French steam laundry, which is the name that has remained with the building ever since.

Today, The French Laundry belongs to the Thomas Keller Group of restaurants, who purchased it in 1994. It has been rated as Best Restaurant in the World in 2003 and 2004 in the Restaurant Magazine list of Top 50 Restaurants of the World. It has also been listed by Anthony Bourdain as “the best restaurant in the world period.”

The restaurant serves two, 9 course tasting menus each day. No main ingredient is used more than once. Special holiday dishes are offered and reservations can only be made 30 days in advance. No walk-ins are allowed.

The French Laundry

History

Corner Bakery Cafe Corporate Office

Corner Bakery Cafe was founded in 1991. The company operates a chain of casual dining restaurants which typically serve better quality food than fast food restaurants, but have limited table service. The company began franchising operations in the mid-1990s.

Today, the company is owned by CBC Restaurant Corp, whose current CEO Frank Paci, has more than 25 years of food service experience. The company currently has more than 192 locations in 11 states. In November of 2015, the company made a deal with Walmart to be their exclusive dining outlet at all Walmart Supercenters. All current outlets will be remodeled and rebranded with the Corner Bakery Cafe logo. The transition was expected to begin in August 2016.

Corner Bakery Cafe has recently begun aggressive expansion plans, with new locations opening in Bozeman, Montana, Rhode Island, and Louisiana in late 2016.

In February 2023, Corner Bakery Cafe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Corner Bakery Cafe maintains a corporate office in Dallas, Texas.

Corner Bakery Cafe

History

Corner Bakery Cafe has recently begun aggressive expansion plans, with new locations opening in Bozeman, Montana, Rhode Island, and Louisiana in late 2016.

In February 2023, Corner Bakery Cafe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Corner Bakery Cafe maintains a corporate office in Dallas, Texas.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corporate Office

Tropical Smoothie Cafe was founded as a single fruit smoothie shop in 1993 by Eric and Delora Jenrich, along with David Walker. By 1997, the company had grown and was offering franchises. By 1999, the company began to offer other health food items, such as sandwiches and wraps. By 2007, the company was growing at a tremendous rate, with a store opening, on average, every 7 days.

The company was purchased by a private equity firm, BIP, in 2012. The company rolled out new menus, offering items to vegans, and a non-GMO meat substitute called Beyond Meat. Beyond Meat is a blend of protein powders.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe rolls out limited time offers of special drink blends or combo meal prices, three to four times each year. The company states that 50 percent of their sales come from food, the other half from fruit smoothies. There are currently more than 850 Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s in the US.