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 doughnuts, bagels, and muffins. The firm filed for bankruptcy in 2004 and liquidated its assets.

History

Bess Eaton was founded in 1953 by Angelo (Bangy) Gencarelli Jr. and was known for its coffee and handcut donuts. 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 sale. 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 but ultimately was sold to Tim Horton's of Canada. Leading up to the company's sale, then CEO, Louis A. Gencarelli, Sr., made headlines printing Biblical scripture verses on the company's cups and product packaging.

Demise

In its last decade of operation the "Bess Eaton Donut Flour Company" faced many internal difficulties including problems with its financial records. As a result, the firm sold its retail division in mid-2004 following bankruptcy litigation. With a reported $35 million bid, the fast-food chain ″Wendy's International Corporation″ prevailed over the ″Dunkin Donuts″ chain, operated by ″Allied Domecq PLC,″ in their competition to purchase the 48 defunct Bess Eaton stores and other assets. Within two months of acquisition, ″Wendy's″ had converted 42 of those stores to their ″Tim Hortons″ brand. In conjunction with the sale, Bess Eaton closed its production facility and corporate headquarters.

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 (closed as of 3/31/08)
* Narragansett, RI - 2
* Wakefield, RI
* Coventry, RI - 1 (one closed to Tim Hortons acquiring it)
* 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
* Holyoke, MA
* Hadley, MA
* 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
* Norwich, CT - 2
* Springfield, MA
* Plainville, CT

Products

* doughnut mix
* muffin mix
* croissant mix

References

* [http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2004/03/17/dunkin_donuts_parent_fights_bess_eaton_offer/ Article on Boston.com about the sale of Bess Eaton]
* [http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2004/03/17/dunkin_donuts_parent_fights_bess_eaton_offer/ Dunkin' Donuts parent fights Bess Eaton offer]
* [http://www.turnto10.com/money/2035876/detail.html Bess Eaton Ousts CEO, Reappoints Retired Head]
* [http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/3009046/3/c_3043248?f=related CEO Says Bess Eaton Wanted Less Dough]