BESS EATON

'Bess Eaton' or 'Bess Eaton Donut Flour Company Incorporated' started as a bread and bakery products manufacturer and later as an operator of a small chain of coffee shops based in southern New England, often serving donuts, bagels, and muffins.

Contents

History

Management

Locations

Products

Demise

References

History

Bess Eaton was founded in 1953 by Angelo (Bangy) Gencarelli Jr. and was known for its unique use of scripture on its product packaging. The corporate headquarters were located in Westerly, Rhode Island with up to 56 retail shops spread between Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut. At one time, it was Rhode Island's seventh largest private employeer of 750 workers and 650 workers at the chain's demise. Throughout the chain's 50 year history, the company was privately held by the Gencarelli family. In the last year of operations, the firm was focusing on wholesale business and non-store locations to boost profits.

Management

★ Louis A. Gencarelli Sr. - CEO 1982-2002; 2003-2004

★ George Cioe - CEO 2002-2003

★ Angelo Gencarelli Jr. - CEO and founder 1953-1982 (Member of the Westerly Hospital's Board of Trustees 1976-1982)

★ Paul Gencarelli - CFO and son of Louis Gencarelli Sr.

Locations

★ West Warwick, RI

★ Wyoming, RI

★ New London, CT

★ Kingston, RI - 2

★ Bradford, RI

★ Narragansett, RI - 2

★ Wakefield, RI

★ Coventry, RI - 2

★ Cranston, RI

★ Westerly, RI - 4; home to HQ and production facilities

★ Milford, CT

★ North Stonington, CT - 2

★ Meriden, CT

★ Ashaway, RI

★ West Greenwich, RI

★ Pawtucket, RI

★ Warwick, RI

★ Wakefield, RI

★ Fall River, MA - 2

★ Swansea, MA

★ Middletown, CT

★ Salem, CT

★ Groton, CT

★ Mystic, CT

★ Stonington, CT

★ Vernon/Rockville, CT

★ Johnston, RI

★ Groton, CT

★ Old Lyme, CT

★ Pawcatuck, CT - 2

Products

★ donut mix

★ muffin mix

★ croissant mix

Demise

The firm's faced problems with their financial records in the last decade of operations and other issues like printing biblical quotes on their cups.
The company sold its retail division in mid-2004 following bankruptcy filing. Two chains were in a fight to purchase the chain's assets, but Allied Domecq PLC (operator of Dunkin Donuts) lost out to fast food chain Wendy's. Wendy's converted of 42 of the 48 stores to Tim Hortons' brand within two months. In conjunction with the sale, Bess Eaton closed its production facility and corporate headquarters (replaced by regional office in Rhode Island).

References

★ Article on Boston.com about the sale of Bess Eaton

★ Dunkin' Donuts parent fights Bess Eaton offer

★ Bess Eaton Ousts CEO, Reappoints Retired Head

★ CEO Says Bess Eaton Wanted Less Dough