Otis Spunkmeyer parent Aryzta changes name to Aspire Bakeries

Aryzta North America, owner of Otis Spunkmeyer brands, has changed its name to Aspire Bakeries following its recent sale to private equity group Lindsay Goldberg. The former Aryzta also owns La Brea Bakery and Oakrun Farm Bakery.

The new name was chosen after the company asked its 4,500 employees for suggestions. Aspire Bakeries reflects the upward direction in which the company aims to continue to move. Some 150 name suggestions were tossed into the hat.

The Aspire name was recommended by Alex Gillis, a bakery supervisor in Brantford, ON, who said, “as we Aspire to be the best bakery in North America, what better name than aspire to represent our desire to not only achieve our goals but exceed them.”

“Our brands established our North American business as a leader in baked goods, as they all have strong, longstanding reputations of providing customers with delectable foods across the artisan bread and baked goods categories,” said Aspire Bakeries chief executive Tyson Yu.

“Aspire Bakeries will execute a business strategy that focuses on continued innovation and growth across our beloved brands,” Yu added.