Our History

Founded in Northlake, Illinois, Pennant supplied bakery goods to restaurants, foodservice establishments, and retailers. Today, the brand is most known for its puff pastry.

Harold Freund, a fourth-generation baker, started Fresh Start Bakeries in Glendale, California. The company made breads, buns, and sweet goods for large quick service restaurants, fast casual restaurants, and supermarket in-store bakeries.

With the first retail bake shop opening in Oakland, California, Ken Rowlings introduced the Otis Spunkmeyer brand and its now-famous cookies and muffins.

Ancaster, Ontario, Canada was the birthplace of Gourmet Baker, which became a subsidiary of Pineridge Bakeries and offered an expansive array of decadent cakes and specialty desserts.

Also a subsidiary of Pineridge Bakeries in Ancaster, Oakrun Farm Bakeries' signature baked goods included authentic crumpets and homestyle English muffins.

Founded in Northlake Illinois, La Francaise Bakery specialized in croissants and sweet pastries made with authentic European-style baking techniques. Now the brand also features bagels and artisan-style breads.

Created by celebrity chef Nancy Silverton in Los Angeles, California, La Brea Bakery is recognized as the originator of artisan breads with its iconic “sourdough starter.”

Santa Ana, California was the birthplace of Sweet Life, which baked up batches of delicious cookies and other sweet delicacies.

With a new name representative of our intentions, Aspire Bakeries continues its dedication to being the best baked goods company and a loyal partner to customers, while paying homage to its iconic roots.