La Brea Bakery
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersSan Leandro, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What La Brea Bakery does
La Brea Bakery is a U.S. artisan bread producer founded in 1989 by Nancy Silverton, operating as a flagship brand within the Aspire Bakeries parent group. The company manufactures par-baked and frozen artisan breads — including sourdough loaves, baguettes, ciabatta, rye, ciabatta rolls, take-and-bake items, and a newly launched Pretzel product line — built around an original sourdough starter continuously cultivated since founding. Products carry Non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan, and Kosher certifications and target both retail consumers and foodservice operators.
The core technology stack is deliberately traditional: long-fermentation sourdough biology combined with par-baked/frozen manufacturing that yields a 9-month freezer shelf life, allowing operators to finish baking on-site with minimal labor and waste. The proprietary element is the original starter culture, now over 35 years old, which functions as an intangible biological asset that competitors cannot replicate.
La Brea Bakery operates a two-channel revenue model. The primary channel is B2B foodservice distribution through all major U.S. broadline distributors — Sysco, US Foods, Gordon Food Service, PFG, DOT, and Reinhart — supported by a territory-based direct sales force covering all 50 states and serving nine named verticals (B&I, Catering, C&U, C-Store, Fine Dining, Full-Service Restaurants, Healthcare, Lodging/Casino, and QSR). The secondary channel is retail/consumer, via grocery retailers and the company's own bakery cafes, supported by a 'Where to Buy' locator and an extensive recipe content library. Wholesale pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through distributor and sales-rep relationships.
La Brea Bakery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- La Brea Bakery
- Legal name
- La Brea Bakery
- Website
- https://labreabakery.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
La Brea Bakery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Bakery / Artisan Bread
- NAICS
- Bread and Bakery Product Manufacturing (31181), Commercial Bakeries (311812), Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing (311813)
- SIC
- Bakery Products (2050), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bread & Rolls Manufacturing (AFAKAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Frozen Bakery Products Manufacturing (AFAKAAAF), Specialty Bakery Manufacturing (Gluten-Free, Artisan, Health-Focused) (AFAKAAAG), Bakery & Desserts Distribution (CRAOABAE), DTC Bakery & Desserts Delivery (AFAIANAF)
Keywords
Where La Brea Bakery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Leandro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
La Brea Bakery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Foodservice B2B Sales: La Brea Bakery generates revenue primarily through B2B foodservice sales to restaurant operators, hotels, healthcare facilities, universities, and other food service businesses. Products are sold through a network of major food service distributors including Sysco, US Foods, Gordon Food Service, PFG, DOT, and Reinhart. The company offers par-baked and frozen bread products that foodservice operators finish in their own kitchens.
- Retail Consumer Sales: La Brea Bakery also generates revenue through retail sales of consumer-packaged bread products sold through grocery retailers and their own bakery cafes. Products include fresh and take-and-bake artisan breads available for home consumers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Foodservice wholesale pricing through distributors |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
La Brea Bakery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
La Brea Bakery manufactures and sells artisan bread products built around an original sourdough starter cultivated since 1989. The company produces fresh and par-baked frozen loaves, baguettes, ciabatta, rolls, and pretzel products, distributed through major foodservice distributors (Sysco, US Foods, Gordon Food Service, PFG, DOT, Reinhart) to restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and other operators, as well as through retail grocery and direct-to-consumer take-and-bake offerings.
Product overview
La Brea Bakery is an artisan bread company that offers a diversified portfolio of breads and bakery products primarily for retail consumers and foodservice professionals. The core product line consists of traditional artisan breads centered on sourdough fermentation using an original starter dating back to 1989. The product portfolio includes: (1) Fresh artisan loaves (Country White Sourdough, French, Jalapeño Cheddar, New York Rye, Olive, Pecan Raisin, Roasted Garlic, Rosemary Olive Oil, Sourdough, Three Cheese Semolina, Toasted Sunflower Honey, Tuscan, and Rustic 8 Grain); (2) Flat loaves and ciabatta; (3) Baguettes and batards in various styles; (4) Rounds including Italian Round and Rosemary Olive Oil Round; (5) Take-and-bake products (Ciabatta Rolls, Everything Rolls, French Dinner Rolls, French Sandwich Rolls, Rustic Ciabatta Loaf, Torta Rolls, Tuscan Loaf, and Twin Pack French Baguettes); (6) Pretzel Buns and Baguettes (new 2025 product line); and (7) A comprehensive foodservice/wholesale division serving restaurants, catering, healthcare, lodging, QSR, and other segments with products like Plant-Based Brioche Buns, Focaccia, Multigrain Sliced Sandwich Bread, and XL Loaves. Products are distributed through retail channels and foodservice distributors including Sysco, US Foods, Gordon Food Service, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Artisan Bread Loaves A core line of fresh artisan loaves sold through retail grocery and foodservice channels, distinguished by a sourdough starter cultivated since 1989 and traditional long-fermentation methods.
- Baguettes and Batards Classic hearth-baked French baguettes and sourdough baguettes, plus demi baguettes and batards, with crusty exteriors and open cell structure from long fermentation with levain.
- Flat Loaves and Ciabatta Flat-style artisan loaves including Ciabatta Loaf, designed with an airier, chewier crumb for sandwiches and panini.
- Take and Bake Bread Products Par-baked take-and-bake offerings for retail consumers including Ciabatta Rolls, Everything Rolls, French Dinner Rolls, French Sandwich Rolls, Rustic Ciabatta Loaf, Torta Rolls, Tuscan Loaf, and Twin Pack French Baguettes.
- Pretzel Buns and Baguettes Handcrafted artisan-style soft pretzel products with a golden-brown crust and soft interior, sold to retail consumers and foodservice operators for use in burgers, sandwiches, sliders, and sausage applications.
- Foodservice Wholesale Sandwich Rolls and Buns Wholesale sandwich rolls and specialty buns for foodservice professionals including Ciabatta Sandwich Rolls and Plant-Based Brioche Buns designed for vegan, vegetarian, or meat-based sandwich builds.
- Foodservice Sliced Breads and Multigrain Sandwich Bread Pre-sliced wholesale sandwich breads for foodservice operators including Multigrain Sliced Sandwich Bread packed with whole grains, seeds, and nuts.
- Foodservice Focaccia Quarter Sheet Versatile quarter-sheet focaccia infused with extra virgin olive oil for foodservice use as sides, sandwich bases, or pizza foundations.
- Foodservice XL Loaves Large-format artisan loaves such as Country White Sourdough XL designed for high-volume foodservice kitchens.
Companies that use La Brea Bakery
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
La Brea Bakery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
La Brea Bakery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and flagship.
- SyscocoreSysco is one of La Brea Bakery's primary distribution partners, carrying the French Baguette and other products through Sysco distribution centers nationwide. Sysco is the largest foodservice distributor in North America.
- US FoodscoreUS Foods is a major distribution partner for La Brea Bakery, distributing products under both APN and SPC codes through their national distribution network.
- Gordon Food ServicemajorGordon Food Service distributes La Brea Bakery products to foodservice operators in their distribution regions.
- Performance Food Group (PFG)majorPFG distributes La Brea Bakery products as part of their broad foodservice product portfolio.
- DOT (formerly Darden Restaurant Group)majorDOT distributes La Brea Bakery products to foodservice operators.
- ReinhartmajorReinhart Foodservice distributes La Brea Bakery products to restaurant and foodservice customers.
- Aspire BakeriesflagshipAspire Bakeries is the parent company of La Brea Bakery. La Brea Bakery operates as a flagship brand within the Aspire Bakeries portfolio. The company contact information references Aspire Bakeries at the same Los Angeles address.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
La Brea Bakery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Flowers Foods: Flowers Foods is a top-tier U.S. packaged bakery company (Wonder, Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread) supplying retail and foodservice. Broad incumbent overlap in sandwich breads, artisan loaves, and DSD/foodservice distribution.
- Bimbo Bakeries USA: Bimbo Bakeries USA is the largest U.S. bakery company (parent: Grupo Bimbo) and competes across virtually every bread category, including artisan, take-and-bake, and frozen par-baked. Major competitive threat on shelf space, private-label share, and foodservice national accounts.
- J&J Snack Foods: J&J Snack Foods is a national supplier of pretzels, frozen baked goods, and handheld foodservice items. Most directly comparable to La Brea's new Pretzel Buns/Baguettes line via the Superpretzel and Pretzelmaker brands, with strong foodservice distribution.
Direct peers
- Boudin Bakery: Boudin Bakery is the closest direct peer: a heritage California sourdough brand (founded 1849) that operates a commercial wholesale bakery plus retail cafes. Both brands sell artisan sourdough through foodservice distributors and retail, with par-baked frozen production at scale.
- Aunt Millie's Bakeries: Aunt Millie's is a regional commercial bakery producing branded and private-label breads for retail and foodservice across the Midwest and East. Comparable in scale, channel mix, and distributor-driven B2B go-to-market for sandwich breads and artisan loaves.
- St. Pierre Bakeries: St. Pierre is a UK-based specialty bread maker owned by Stonebridge that sells par-baked baguettes and brioche rolls into foodservice and grocery worldwide. Closely mirrors La Brea's par-bake-to-finish model, product mix, and foodservice go-to-market.
- Eurobake: Eurobake is a North American par-baked artisan bread manufacturer supplying foodservice distributors and QSR chains. Direct overlap on technology (par-bake/freeze), product formats (baguettes, ciabatta, sourdough loaves), and distribution model.
- H&S Bakery (Schmidt Baking Company): H&S/Schmidt is a Mid-Atlantic commercial bakery serving retail and foodservice with branded and private-label breads. Comparable in production scale (1000+ employees), foodservice distributor relationships, and premium/artisan positioning.
Emerging players
- Natural Ovens Bakery: Natural Ovens is a smaller-scale specialty/artisan baker focused on whole-grain, organic, and health-positioned breads for retail and select foodservice. Comparable in artisan credibility and Non-GMO/health positioning, but smaller in scale and channel reach than La Brea.
Regional players
- Maple Leaf Foods (Canada Bread): Maple Leaf Foods operates a commercial bakery business in Canada that mirrors La Brea's par-baked artisan and foodservice model, but serves primarily Canadian markets. Useful comparable for unit economics and category dynamics, with limited direct U.S. overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
La Brea Bakery social profiles
Digital presenceLa Brea Bakery compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
La Brea Bakery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
La Brea Bakery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
La Brea Bakery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
La Brea Bakery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about La Brea Bakery
What does La Brea Bakery do?
La Brea Bakery manufactures and sells artisan bread products built around an original sourdough starter cultivated since 1989. The company produces fresh and par-baked frozen loaves, baguettes, ciabatta, rolls, and pretzel products, distributed through major foodservice distributors (Sysco, US Foods, Gordon Food Service, PFG, DOT, Reinhart) to restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and other operators, as well as through retail grocery and direct-to-consumer take-and-bake offerings.
Is La Brea Bakery a public or private company?
La Brea Bakery is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was La Brea Bakery founded?
La Brea Bakery was founded in 1989. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is La Brea Bakery based?
La Brea Bakery is headquartered in San Leandro, United States, in the North America region.
How does La Brea Bakery make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foodservice B2B Sales are the primary driver. The others are retail Consumer Sales.
Who are La Brea Bakery's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Flowers Foods, Bimbo Bakeries USA and J&J Snack Foods. Direct peers are Boudin Bakery, Aunt Millie's Bakeries, St. Pierre Bakeries, Eurobake and H&S Bakery (Schmidt Baking Company). Natural Ovens Bakery is listed as an emerging player. Maple Leaf Foods (Canada Bread) is listed as a regional player.
Does La Brea Bakery have an API?
No public API is recorded for La Brea Bakery.
What industry is La Brea Bakery in?
La Brea Bakery's product category is Commercial Bakery / Artisan Bread. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAAAA, Bread & Rolls Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAKAAAF, Frozen Bakery Products Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 31181 and its SIC code is 2050.