Firehook Bakery, an artisan baking business that started as an Alexandria, Va., neighborhood bakery, has been acquired by private investment firm Forward Consumer Partners, according to a release from the firm.
Firehook was founded in 1992 and has since expanded nationally, growing at a 50% CAGR over the past decade to become the No. 1 brand of artisanal crackers in the U.S., the announcement stated. Firehook bakes all its products in-house, and is organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher and SQF certified.
Firehook founder Pierre Abushacra will retain a significant minority ownership stake moving forward, and believes Forward’s investment will help propel the business forward in its next phase of growth.
Upon closure of the deal, the announcement said, Maura Mottolese will become Firehook’s new CEO. Mottolese has served as CEO of both Cholula and Tate’s Bake Shop, among other roles in food and beverage. She will work with an expanded executive team, as Firehook also will add Terry Bigham as its chief growth officer and Ellen Howse as chief marketing officer.
Bigham formerly worked for Cholula, Tate’s Bake Shop and Carbone, while Howse previously held roles with Godiva, Hello Products and Dewey’s Bakery.
