Veteran multi-unit and franchise executive Dolf Berle has been appointed chief executive officer by Addison-based Nothing Bundt Cakes, the nation’s largest specialty cake bakery.
Most recently, Berle was CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, a New York-based global adventure travel operator. Before that, he gained multi-unit and franchise experience as CEO of Dallas-based Topgolf. Prior to that post, he was president and COO at Dallas-based Dave & Buster’s.
“During his time at both Topgolf and Dave & Busters, Dolf led efforts that nearly doubled unit count and increased average unit volume by double digits, and that growth mindset is key to what we want to achieve at Nothing Bundt Cakes,” Roark Capital Managing Director Sarah Spiegel said in a statement. Spiegel served as interim CEO during the selection process. “We are confident that Dolf’s leadership experience will help Nothing Bundt Cakes accelerate the brand’s fantastic growth trajectory and continue to drive the brand’s outstanding bakery profitability.”
Sweet gig of ‘bringing joy to people’s lives’
To Nothing Bundt Cakes’s leadership mix, Berle brings a strong track record for profitable revenue growth, unit expansion, digital transformation, data-driven decision-making and a deep commitment to organizational culture and values, the company said. Berle also has been appointed to the Nothing Bundt Cakes Board.
Earlier this year, the company celebrated its milestone 500th bakery opening. It continues to grow with an average of eight new bakery openings per month and is on track to open 100 bakeries this year, the company said.
“Nothing Bundt Cakes has quietly become the leading specialty cake bakery brand in the nation, driven by its dedication to bringing joy to people’s lives,” Berle said in a statement. “Our growth is a reflection of our remarkable bakery owners and talented team members, and I look forward to leading them to new heights as we continue growing together.”
Founded in 1997, Dallas-based Nothing Bundt Cakes operates more than 500 franchised and corporate bakeries in more than 40 states and Canada.
The company offers handcrafted Bundt cakes for pickup or delivery in a variety of flavors and sizes, such as Bundtinis, the brand’s cupcake-sized Bundt cakes, miniature Bundtlets and 8- and 10-inch bundt cakes. They offer decorations and gift options for life’s “just because” moments and special celebrations.
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