Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Consumer Goods |
Founded | 2002 |
Founder(s) | Brendan Synnott and Kelly Flatley |
Headquarters | Norwalk, Connecticut, Connecticut, U.S. |
Key people | Keegan Sheridan (Natural food and lifestyle expert) Ryan Therriault (Ambassador of Goodwill) |
Products | Granolas Cereals Snack foods |
Parent | Kellogg Company |
Website | http://www.bearnaked.com/ |
References: [1] |
Bear Naked is a prepared foods company that produces granola, granola bars and ready to eat cereal. Bear Naked was founded in 2002 by Kelly Flatley and Brendan Synnott. In 2007, Bear Naked was purchased by Kashi Company, a subsidiary of Kellogg Company.[2] Today, Bear Naked operates as an independent business in La Jolla, Calif. It has evolved into a nationally recognized consumer brand that is available in more than 10,000 retail stores across the U.S.
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Bear Naked was founded in October 2002 as a two-person operated business. By the year's end, Bare Naked was selling its product in 25 stores in the Connecticut area.
In 2003, Bear Naked clinched their first 50 case deal with Stew Leonard, Jr. of Stew Leonard's Inc. (a dairy and grocery store chain in Norwalk, CT) by showing up unannounced at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast after countless unanswered phone calls. 2003 also marked the company's first hire as well as a growth in their sales distribution from 40 to 400 stores. Bear Naked has since grown to be distributed from coast to coast and is currently the #1 granola brand on the market.[3]
All Bear Naked products are made with whole grains and contain no artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, trans fat, cholesterol, hydrated oils, or high fructose corn syrup. All are vegetarian- friendly and kosher certified.[4]
The company's original, signature soft-baked granola is made with [whole grains]. Flavors include:
This granola blend is lower in sugar and fat than the company’s original offerings, with just 4g of sugar and 2.5g of fat per serving. Flavors include:
Bear Naked Peak granola provides nutritious performance food to fuel an active lifestyle. Flavors include:
Made with whole grain flakes, fruits, nuts and seeds, and granola clusters. Flavors include:
Made from all natural granola, fruits, nuts and seeds. Flavors include:
Made with natural granola, fruits, and nuts. Flavors include:
Made from natural granola, fruits, nuts and seeds. Flavors include:
and flax seeds
Team Bear Naked is the group of 110 runners and triathletes that act as ambassadors through their achievements and in their local communities. Team Bear Naked members are represented in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Baltimore/D.C., New York, Miami and Portland, Ore. Potential athletes for the annual team selection are required to have at least 4 events within the year in order to be eligible. Team members assist in managing events such as breakfast or training clubs in order to further promote the brand.[5]
Bear Naked also partners with TerraCycle through the Bear Naked Brigade, a program that encourages participants to save used bags that are repurposed into eco-friendly products such as shower curtains, umbrellas, and other "upcycled" accessories sold at major retailers. Bear Naked and TerraCycle donate two cents per bag collected to a charity or school of the brigade's choice.[6]
Outbursts from critics came when Bear Naked Inc.'s original owners sold the company to Kellogg in 2007. Founders Kelly and Brandan argued that Bear Naked's accelerated growth left them without the capacity to produce to meet the full demand for the product and felt that Kellogg would be the best at taking the brand mainstream. Also, with the brand under the management of Kellogg, more people could have access to Bear Naked. The sale occurred in November 2007 when Bear Naked was purchased by Kashi, a subsidiary of Kellogg. This sale allowed Bear Naked to continue to grow in response to rising consumer demand, while still operating independently.
"Bear Naked maintains its original spirit and passion for great-tasting, nutritious food that supports active lifestyles," Ryan Therriault, a senior brand manager for marketing and innovation at Bear Naked, who was with the company before it was purchased, said in a statement.[7]
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