Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, an Oakbrook Terrance, Illinois-headquartered maker of frozen baked goods, has signed a definitive agreement to buy Cyrus O’Leary’s Pies. The Spokane, Washington‐based pie company is the most recent acquisition made to further accelerate Sara Lee’s profile in the in‐store bakery (ISB) sector that began with the purchase of Superior Cake Products in August of 2019.
“We are delighted to add Cyrus O’ Leary’s extensive variety of delicious pies to our iconic product portfolio,” said Craig Bahner, chief executive officer of Sara Lee Frozen Bakery. “As we look to expand our competitive presence in the ISB category, its impressive 40‐year pie legacy and in‐store bakery leadership will help us achieve our strategic growth plan and continue providing our customers with more irresistible indulgences.”
Airway Heights, Washington-headquartered Cyrus O’Leary’s started as a landmark restaurant in Spokane during 1981 and grew to become a nationally distributed gourmet pie brand. Baked with made‐from‐scratch ingredients, its fruit and cream pies have earned a stellar reputation, winning 168 first place awards at the National Pie Championships over the past 20 years. Pie varieties run the gamut from apple and peach to strawberry rhubarb, mocha cream, french silk, seasonal pumpkin, custard, lemon meringue and more.
Cyrus O’Leary’s provides Sara Lee Frozen Bakery with its first West Coast manufacturing facility, from where direct‐store‐delivery of fresh baked pies is made throughout the Pacific Northwest and frozen pie distribution is directed across the USA and into Canada.
The acquisition transaction, terms of which were not disclosed, is expected to close in the coming weeks. Barclay Klingel will retail his position as chief executive officer of Cyrus O’Leary’s, reporting directly to Bahner.
