29 Jul Atlas Advisors acted as advisor to Grupo Bimbo in the acquisition of Bays Bakery

Bays Bakery Incorporated started in Chicago, in 1933, as the Bays English Muffin Corporation. Dedicated to quality service and product, the company has grown to distribute across the United States and abroad. In 2017, Bays proudly celebrated its eightieth anniversary.

Over the years the business grew steadily and was passed down through generations, first changing hands to George’s son James N. Bay, and then to grandsons George A. Bay and James N. Bay Jr. Most recently, in 2017, the Bay family sold the business. Bays English Muffin Corporation was acquired by Bimbo Bakeries USA and renamed Bays Bakery Incorporated.

The brand grew in retail stores throughout the Midwest, but one of Bays’ biggest accomplishments was probably its growth outside of the supermarket business. “When McDonald’s first introduced the Egg McMuffin in 1972, it was served on a Bays English Muffin,” says Robaczewski. “So, that was a huge development.”

For eighty years, the Bay-family-run company has been dedicated to high standards in customer care. “We have always focused on continually producing a great quality product and to service our retail customers in the best way and to the best of our ability,” says Robaczewski. “Bays was a small company with a terrific family heritage and great culture, where everyone conducted themselves with integrity and trust.”

Now, having been acquired by Bimbo Bakeries, the company’s guiding principles remain quite similar, but more formalized. “They (new owners) value every associate and treat everyone with respect, fairness, trust, and care,” says Robaczewski. “Diversity is important and it enriches us. Inclusion makes us stronger. And we believe we’re one community – one global community – but we look for strong results. We’re passionate in what we do and we act with integrity. The consumer is our boss; the customers and retailers are our partners.”

Bays Bakery Incorporated’s plan for the future is to continue to grow. “Expansion to all supermarkets in every part of the United States and into club stores, dollar stores, and drugstores,” says Robaczewski. “We also want to focus on e-commerce opportunities and food service. We believe we have a real opportunity to get back into food service, and with the network of Bimbo Bakeries USA and its production facilities, opportunities are endless.”

“While the Bay family may no longer be running the business, Bimbo Bakeries USA continues to produce the same great quality English muffins,” says Robaczewski. “And if you haven’t yet tried a Bays English Muffin, located in the refrigerated dairy section; today is a really good day to try one.”