BOONE County, Ky. Gov. Andy Beshear joined local officials and leaders from Bakery Express Midwest, a commercial bakery manufacturer, to break ground on its new Boone County location, which includes an investment of more than $20 million that will create more than 175 jobs of full-time work in the area.
Announced in June 2023 as a $10 million project that has since doubled in investment, the company is opening a 50,000 SF facility in Northern Kentucky that will serve Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee with fresh baked goods. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2024, with the bakery operational by April 2025.
“On behalf of the nearly 700 Bakery Express team members across the country, I could not be more excited about the opportunity presented by today's groundbreaking experience,” said Bakery Express Midwest President Charles L. Burman. “One of the things I've learned along the way is that it takes a team of partners committed to the success of a project to get to this stage. And that's what I was lucky to have, great partners. The team from Bakery Express Florida, the team from BE NKY, the Kentucky team, the Cushman Wakefield team, and the Geis Construction team were invaluable partners in making this project happen. And, of course, the teams at Wawa whose entry into this market made all this work possible. We look forward to being a great addition to Boone County as this area continues to grow and prosper.”
Founded in 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland, Bakery Express Mid Atlantic Inc. was the first of many bakery companies founded by Burman. Bakery Express of Central Florida, Bakery Express of Central Texas, Bakery Express of Southern California and now Bakery Express Midwest are established to provide fresh bakery products to more than 4,000 retail stores in the United States. Bakery Express currently employs 620 people and the company's daily product line consists of a wide variety of items including donuts, muffins, cookies, brownies, croissants, bagels, pastries, cupcakes and other specialty items.
“Growth in Kentucky's food and beverage industry has been a key part of the amazing economic momentum we are experiencing,” said Governor Beshear. “I am excited to welcome Bakery Express Midwest to Northern Kentucky. This is a fantastic commitment to the commonwealth and an opportunity for job growth in the region.”
Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore spoke of the wide reach of the food and beverage industry in Northern Kentucky: Bakery Express' investment of more than $20 million adds to Northern Kentucky's growing food and beverage industry, which already has more than 30 and flavor makers and nationally recognized craft breweries and distilleries. Northern Kentucky's one-day proximity to more than half the U.S. population will make it easier for the company to serve the tri-state and Tennessee.”
Lee Crume, CEO of BE NKY Growth Partnership, expressed his excitement about the project: “I am thrilled that Bakery Express is opening its first Midwest location in Boone County, creating nearly 200 new jobs for our local families. This new facility will serve four states and I look forward to purchasing the company's fresh baked goods at a Wawa grocery store.”
Click here for more Kentucky Business News.
Click here to advertise and build your brand.
