Zingerman's

What Zingerman's does

Zingerman's is the operating brand for Zingerman's Community of Businesses (ZCoB), a privately held collective of 11+ food and service businesses headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded on March 15, 1982 by Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw with a $20,000 bank loan. The ZCoB operates the original Zingerman's Delicatessen (a $12 million, 187-employee business welcoming 500,000+ visitors annually), Zingerman's Bakehouse (opened 1992), Zingerman's Coffee Company, Zingerman's Roadhouse, Miss Kim (Korean, opened 2016), Zingerman's Candy Manufactory, Zingerman's Creamery, Cornman Farms (a working farm and event venue opened 2014 in Dexter, Michigan), and Zingerman's Next Door Cafe, plus the supporting businesses Zingerman's Mail Order, ZingTrain, Zingerman's Catering, Zingerman's Greyline (event space), Cornman Farms' The Tiny Wedding, Cake! at the Bakehouse, Bake! with Zing, Zingerman's Food Tours, Zingerman's Press, and Little Kim's. Annual sales are disclosed as approaching $70 million across the 11+ businesses with approximately 800 employees as of 2023. The organization is privately held with ownership spread among founding partners, 23 managing partners, and staff through Community Shares and Legacy Shares, governed by a Partners Group using consensus decision-making and a Stewardship Council created in 2020 for founder succession.

The ZCoB generates revenue through five primary streams: food service and retail (dine-in, take-out, and retail food and ingredient sales across the Deli, Bakehouse, Coffee, Roadhouse, Miss Kim, Candy Manufactory, Creamery, and Next Door Cafe); Mail Order e-commerce and catalog ($15 million annual revenue, 15 catalogs per year, nationwide delivery from the Ann Arbor warehouse); catering and events at Cornman Farms, Greyline, and Zingerman's Catering; culinary food tours domestically and to Tuscany; and ZingTrain's external business training and consulting programs plus Zingerman's Press publications. Customer segments include quality-focused food consumers (primary), the Ann Arbor local community (primary), national mail order customers (primary), business training clients via ZingTrain (secondary), and culinary travelers (secondary). Marketing relies on brand reputation, word-of-mouth, founder Ari Weinzweig's long-form newsletter (Ari's Top 5), blog content, social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky), community event participation, and earned media from published books.

The organization's "technology" centers on its proprietary management framework rather than software systems: Bottom-Line Change (a five-step change methodology grounded in the Beckhard-Gleicher formula, used organization-wide for over 30 years), Open Book Management, the 3 Steps and 5 Steps of Service, the Visioning Practice, Path to Partnership (structured program for staff to become managing partners), and the University of Zingerman's internal training program. These are codified in Zingerman's Press books (Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading series, guides on bacon, olive oil, vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and service) and taught externally through ZingTrain. Standard commercial technology integrations include Toast Tab for online ordering, Paylocity for recruiting, and Shopify for the Zingerman's Art merchandise store. The ZCoB does not exhibit differentiated digital technology; its durable advantage resides in codified management IP and 40+ years of brand reputation in Ann Arbor's specialty food market.

Name

Zingerman's

Legal name

Zingerman's Community of Businesses

Website

https://zingermanscommunity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Zingerman's Community of Businesses is a privately held Ann Arbor, Michigan collective of 11+ food and service businesses generating over $70M in annual sales. Operations span restaurants, bakeries, a national mail order catalog, a working farm, and ZingTrain management consulting under broad staff ownership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Food & Hospitality Services

NAICS

Specialty Food Retailers (4452), Retail Bakeries (311811), Baked Goods Retailers (445291), Special Food Services (7223), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Bakery Products (2050), Cookies & Crackers (2052), Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Multi-Concept / Global QSR Chains (Mixed Menus) (THAFAAAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Food Gift Shops & Hampers (CRAHAGAN), Kosher & Jewish Grocery Stores (CRAHAFAK), Bakery & Confectionery Wholesale (AFAIABAG)

Keywords

• Specialty food retail
• Artisan bakery products
• Gourmet mail order
• Culinary tours
• Business training consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Food Service & Retail: Multiple restaurant and retail food businesses (Delicatessen, Bakehouse, Coffee Company, Roadhouse, Miss Kim, Candy Manufactory, Creamery) generate revenue from dine-in, take-out, and retail food and ingredient sales.
2. Mail Order / E-commerce: Zingerman's Mail Order produces 15 print catalogs annually and fulfills nationwide delivery orders from its Ann Arbor warehouse. Features artisan foods from Zingerman's producers and global artisan suppliers. Revenue of $15 million annually.
3. Catering & Events: Zingerman's Catering and Cornman Farms provide event catering and venue rental services. Zingerman's Greyline is a dedicated event space.
4. Culinary Food Tours: Zingerman's Food Tours offers culinary travel experiences, including domestic tours and international trips to Tuscany (spring and fall), led by managing partners.
5. Training & Consulting (ZingTrain): ZingTrain provides business training and consulting to external clients, teaching Zingerman's proprietary methodologies including Bottom-Line Change, servant leadership, open book management, and service excellence. Sells pamphlets, books, and offers classes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zingerman's Community of Businesses operates a network of independently-owned food and service businesses in Ann Arbor, Michigan, selling artisan food products (deli sandwiches, breads, pastries, coffee, candy), operating full-service restaurants, fulfilling a nationwide mail order catalog and online store, hosting catered events, running culinary tours, and providing external business training and consulting through ZingTrain.

Product overview

Zingerman's is a Community of Businesses (ZCoB) consisting of independently-owned food and service businesses centered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The organization began with Zingerman's Delicatessen in 1982 and has grown to include 11+ food and service businesses including the flagship Delicatessen, Bakehouse, Coffee Company, Roadhouse restaurant, Mail Order catalog, Food Tours, Cornman Farms, Greyline event space, Catering services, Miss Kim Korean restaurant, Candy Manufactory, Creamery, ZingTrain training division, and Zingerman's Press publishing arm. The ZCoB model operates on progressive business principles including open book management, servant leadership, and a three bottom-line approach focusing on great food, great service, and great finance. The organization also maintains community programs including the University of Zingerman's training program, staff scholarships, alumni network, and governance through the Partners Group and Stewardship Council.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zingerman's Delicatessen: Classic Jewish deli with sandwiches, specialty foods, and catering
• Zingerman's Bakehouse
• Zingerman's Coffee Company
• Zingerman's Candy Manufactory
• Zingerman's Cornman Farms
• Zingerman's Food Tours
• Zingerman's Mail Order
• Miss Kim
• Zingerman's Roadhouse
• ZingTrain
• Zingerman's Greyline
• Zingerman's Catering
• The Tiny Wedding
• Zingerman's Next Door Cafe
• Cake!
• Bake! with Zing

Products and services

• Zingerman's Delicatessen Flagship made-to-order sandwich deli and specialty food retail store offering Jewish-deli classics, farmhouse cheeses, smoked fish, salamis, olive oils, vinegars, coffees, and teas; also houses Next Door Cafe and Greyline event space. Welcomes over 500,000 visitors per year and generates $12 million in annual revenue from 187 employees.
• Zingerman's Bakehouse Artisanal bakery producing breads, pastries, cakes, and baked goods including rugelach, sourdough breads, croissants, palmiers, and scones; operates a retail bakeshop space. Also includes the Cake Studio (custom cakes) and Bake! with Zing (baking classes).
• Zingerman's Coffee Company Coffee roasting company sourcing beans from origin countries and roasting in-house; offers whole bean coffees, brewing expertise, and wholesale and retail operations.
• Zingerman's Roadhouse Farm-to-table restaurant serving American regional cuisine with a focus on locally-sourced ingredients from smaller farms using sustainable practices.
• Zingerman's Mail Order Online and catalog retail operation selling artisan foods from Zingerman's producers and global artisan suppliers; produces 15 print catalogs annually and fulfills nationwide delivery from its Ann Arbor warehouse. Generates $15 million in annual revenue with 75 year-round employees (expanding to 400 during holiday season).
• Zingerman's Candy Manufactory Artisan candy production facility offering handmade chocolates and confections, including the 88% Super Dark Blend Bar made with Askinosie Chocolate.
• Zingerman's Cornman Farms Working farm providing fresh produce, milk, and meat to Zingerman's restaurants; also serves as an event venue (including The Tiny Wedding intimate ceremonies service). Located in Dexter, Michigan on a historic farm.
• Miss Kim Korean restaurant in Downtown Ann Arbor's Kerrytown neighborhood serving traditional and contemporary Korean cuisine, with all dishes made from scratch using local ingredients.
• Zingerman's Greyline Dedicated event space for hosting private events and gatherings, opened in 2016.
• Zingerman's Catering Full-service catering for corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings, both on-site at Cornman Farms and Greyline and off-site at client locations.
• Zingerman's Food Tours Culinary travel experiences including domestic tours of Zingerman's businesses (6 week-long tours sell out each year) and international trips to Tuscany in spring and fall, led by Managing Partner Kristie Brablec.
• ZingTrain External training and consulting arm teaching Zingerman's proprietary business methodologies — Bottom-Line Change, servant leadership, open book management, and service excellence — to client organizations. Sells pamphlets and books through shop.zingtrain.com; classes taught in-person and via scheduled online sessions.
• Zingerman's Press Publishing arm producing books including the Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading series (four volumes) and guides on bacon, olive oil, vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and service.
• Zingerman's Creamery Creamery producing handcrafted cream cheese and dairy products for the Zingerman's businesses.
• Bake! with Zing Baking education classes and workshops for consumers.
• Little Kim's Restaurant venture by Ji Hye Kim, distinct from Miss Kim.
• The Tiny Wedding Wedding venue services at Cornman Farms for intimate ceremonies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500,000 visitors annually to Zingerman's Delicatessen alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Skill & Ability Education (SAE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Zingerman's Bakehouse partnered with Skill & Ability Education (SAE) in summer 2026 to promote inclusive hiring and offer meaningful work experiences to individuals in the community. SAE is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Food GathererscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988Zingerman's was instrumental in founding Food Gatherers in 1988, a perishable food rescue program. Zingerman's continues to be a major supporter of the organization. Every year Food Gatherers delivers over a million pounds of food to people in need in the community. Paul Saginaw served as founder, board director from 1988-2012, and Director Emeritus.
• Chowgirls (Minneapolis)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChowgirls is a catering company in Minneapolis and a longtime ZingTrain client. The Zingerman's methodologies (Bottom-Line Change, service excellence) have been implemented at Chowgirls, and the company serves as a reference case for the effectiveness of ZingTrain's programs.
• Great Lakes Foodways AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZingerman's is working to establish the Great Lakes Foodways Alliance as a nationally-recognized non-profit organization to study foodways, culture, and promote engagement with diverse cultures and cooking styles. This initiative shares Midwestern food traditions rarely understood in the mainstream food world.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• New Seasons Market: Regional specialty grocer on the West Coast with strong local sourcing, prepared foods, and community focus. Similar specialty/community positioning to Zingerman's though geographically separate.

Broad incumbents

• Wegmans: Large regional specialty grocery chain with strong in-store prepared foods, bakery, and restaurant-grade service. Comparable to Zingerman's emphasis on quality food, exceptional service culture, and destination-store positioning, though at much larger scale.
• Williams-Sonoma: Specialty retailer of premium kitchen, food, and home goods with strong catalog and e-commerce presence. Comparable to Zingerman's mix of curated retail, gifting, and food-focused content, though focused on cookware alongside food.
• Whole Foods Market: National specialty/organic grocery retailer (owned by Amazon). Competes with Zingerman's Mail Order and Bakehouse for premium pantry and bakery customers, though at vastly greater scale and without the service-culture or single-region identity.
• Trader Joe's: National specialty grocery chain with curated private-label artisan products and cult brand following. Overlaps with Zingerman's positioning as a destination for full-flavored, traditional, and unique foods at accessible price points.
• Dean & DeLuca: Specialty gourmet food retailer known for premium pantry, cheese, and prepared foods at destination retail stores. Overlaps with Zingerman's specialty food retail and Mail Order catalog offerings, though at broader national scale and different ownership history.

Direct peers

• Stonewall Kitchen: Specialty food brand built around artisan jams, sauces, and gift assortments with strong catalog and e-commerce distribution plus café/retail locations. Comparable to Zingerman's Mail Order and Bakehouse model of premium artisan packaged goods sold nationally as gifts.
• Russ & Daughters: Iconic NYC Jewish appetizing store and specialty food retailer with national mail-order shipping. Highly comparable to Zingerman's Deli in heritage, Jewish/Eastern European food focus, made-to-order service, and the addition of a national catalog/online business.
• Murray's Cheese: Specialty cheese retailer with flagship store, wholesale distribution, and national online/catalog presence. Comparable specialty food retail and e-commerce model, including cheesemonger expertise and educational classes — analogous to Zingerman's specialty food + education approach.
• Eataly: Multi-concept Italian food marketplace combining retail, restaurants, and educational experiences under one roof. Closest structural analog to Zingerman's multi-business Community of Businesses model with cross-format synergy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/zingermanscommunity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zingerman's
• Instagraminstagram.com/zingermanscommunity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zingerman's