Store brand bread programs have become a core growth lever for fresh goods stores that want stronger margins, tighter brand control and more flexibility in how products reach shelves. For business owners and operators, the supplier behind that program matters just as much as the branding on the bag.
Choosing the right partner affects everything, from product consistency and shelf life to delivery cadence, merchandising support and how quickly you can adjust orders. The best suppliers expand your business.
Consider this research-driven look at what are the best private label bread suppliers for grocery stores, based on operational strength, service models and long-term partnership potential.
The growing market for private label bakery services
Baked goods are popular in the U.S., with sales estimated at $78.96 billion in 2023 and projected to grow by 1.62% to $86.93 billion by 2029. While this figure includes branded, niche bakery and own-brand breads and baked goods, it indicates just how much consumer interest is rising, especially with novelty loaves, such as diet-specific types, becoming more popular.
For grocery stores, private brand bakery programs help to slice some of this growth. Grain-based products remain a high-velocity category with most consumers buying them weekly or even daily, making this a reliable driver of revenue and brand loyalty. Retailer-branded products allow retailers to compete on value without sacrificing quality, while maintaining control over assortment, packaging and pricing.
As consumer expectations rise around freshness, availability and consistency, suppliers must deliver more than product alone. Retailers want distribution reliability, service flexibility and merchandising support to stand out from the competition, and so they seek top-tier white-label bakeries to partner with.
Methodology for selecting the top suppliers
These suppliers consistently support retailers at scale while maintaining quality and operational flexibility. Each company met the following criteria:
- Sustainable product quality and assortment across core bread categories
- Private label program depth, including customization and packaging support
- Distribution capabilities, including direct store delivery (DSD), frozen solutions and hybrid models
- Retail support, such as sales teams, ordering systems and merchandising assistance
- Operational reliability, including consistency, scalability and long-term stability
The result is a balanced list of national and regional providers that serve different retail strategies without showing bias toward a single operating model. So you can find a partner that gives you much more than your store’s daily bread.
The 6 best private label bread suppliers for grocery stores
These suppliers represent a range of service models, distribution strategies and production strengths. Each option supports grocery stores in different ways, whether the goal is full-service delivery, expanded assortment or operational efficiency at scale.
1. Gold medal bakery: best for full-service grocery partnerships
Gold Medal Bakery brings over a century of experience to its retail-focused programs, operating as a fourth-generation, family-owned facility that specializes in bread and specific baked goods. The company focuses on B2B partnerships, including fresh food retailers, distributors and non-competing bakeries, making its business model tightly aligned with retail needs.
The provider is known for its “one-stop shop” approach, combining manufacturing, distribution and in-store support under a single banner. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, the company builds customized programs based on your store volume, location and delivery requirements. Retailers within its direct shipment geography benefit from DSD, while others can access frozen options or distributor-supported models.
A major differentiator is the company’s hands-on sales staff, who actively visit stores, review orders with bakery clerks and support merchandising decisions. This level of engagement helps reduce out-of-stocks and improve on-shelf performance.
Key Features:
- Massachusetts-based since 1912, serving retail outlets across the U.S.
- White label services include DSD capabilities, frozen deliveries and co-packing
- Unique offerings include a web-based order management tool, a 72-hour adjustment window and extensive in-store support
2. Klosterman baking company: best for large-scale production needs
Klosterman Baking Company operates as a high-capacity commercial facility with a strong presence across the Midwest and beyond. Its retail bakery programs are designed for store or franchise owners that require scale, consistency and a broad product portfolio for delivery to multiple locations.
The company invests heavily in research and development, allowing it to match national brand standards while supporting retailer-owned branding. The provider can customize recipes to your customers’ tastes. Fresh and frozen options are available, providing stores with flexibility based on their distribution models and in-store capabilities.
While Klosterman Baking Company’s size supports large-volume accounts, smaller retailers may find the experience less personalized than family-owned competitors. While it has a large-scale output, its delivery models are mostly focused on the Midwest.
Key Features:
- Ohio-based company, initially founded as French Baking in 1892 in Covington, KY
- In-store bakery services include fresh and frozen production
- Unique offerings, such as strong research and development for customized recipes and national-brand benchmarking
3. Flowers foods: best for nationwide distribution coverage
Flowers Foods is one of the largest baked goods producers in the U.S. It has extensive experience across branded and store-specific programs. Its size and infrastructure allow it to support grocery retailers with wide geographical coverage of their complex logistics needs.
The company offers DSD and warehouse delivery systems, providing retailers with options tailored to their store format and market coverage. Its deep category knowledge from managing major national brands ensures operational discipline with predictable supply chains.
The large scale may mean less flexibility for retailers seeking customized service or localized adjustments. If sustainable practices are high on your list, you may want to consider the brand, as it has a commitment to reduce emissions and water waste and divert all excess from landfills.
Key Features:
- Georgia-based, founded in 1919, operating nationwide
- Private label services include DSD and warehouse-supported solutions
- Unique offerings include extensive logistics infrastructure and category experience
4. CraftMark Bakery: best for frozen-focused bakery programs
CraftMark Bakery specializes in frozen solutions for retail and food service channels. Its custom-branded offerings are particularly well-suited for grocery stores with in-store bakery sections that rely on frozen, fully baked products.
The company emphasizes innovation and consistency, supported by modern production facilities. While its frozen-first approach works well for many retailers, you may prefer stores that use DSD or fresh delivery methods.
However, if your store experiences high sales fluctuations, a frozen-first approach may work in your favor, as you can bake goods as needed without waste. The company invests in continuing research and development, which serves innovative partnerships with a unique branded assortment that your customers will cherish.
Key Features:
- Indiana-based, founded in 2013, serving national retail accounts
- Private services focus on frozen capabilities
- Unique offerings include advanced freezing technology and bake consistency
5. Turano Baking Co: best for artisan-style bread assortments
Turano Baking Co. is a family-owned bakery renowned for its European-style artisan loaves and rolls. Its proprietary services appeal to grocery stores that want differentiated options for their bread aisle.
The company offers both fresh and frozen distribution options, although its delivery network is more regionally centered than that of national suppliers. For retailers within its service areas, the brand delivers high-quality, distinctive products that elevate white label perception.
What started with a family recipe for Italian grain staples soon expanded to Vienna and French loaves, though it also produces buns, rolls and sourdough baked goods.
Key Features:
- Illinois-based, founded in 1962, serving regional markets
- Private brand services include fresh or frozen artisan loaves
- Unique offerings include European-style recipes and a broad range of product choices
6. Rotella’s Italian Bakery: best for wide product variety
Rotella’s Italian Bakery offers one of the most extensive bread selections in the industry, with hundreds of varieties spanning classic and specialty styles, such as ciabatta, gluten-free, hoagies and traditional loaves. Its exclusive retail brand programs support grocery stores looking to broaden their assortment without juggling multiple suppliers.
The company’s strength lies in product diversity and tradition, though its regional distribution footprint may limit scalability for national chains. Its focus on old-world baking techniques, passed down for five generations, gives each slice or bun a unique taste that customers will never tire of.
Download the extensive product catalog and order samples to help you decide which is best for your customers, but be warned that with more than 400 varieties available, choosing can be daunting.
Key Features:
- Nebraska-based, founded in 1850 in Italy and from 1921 in the U.S., serves regional and national partners
- Private brand services include fresh and frozen solutions
- Unique offerings include an extensive product catalog
Comparison of top store brand bread suppliers
Consider providers across metrics such as distribution, product focus and retail support to find the option best suited to your needs.
Choose the right supplier for your store
Selecting the right supplier depends on your store’s operational model and growth goals. Start by evaluating just how bread moves through your business. Stores that rely on frequent replenishment may benefit from DSD programs, while others may prefer frozen inventory for greater control.
Consider the expected or necessary level of support. Dedicated sales teams, merchandising guidance and flexible ordering systems can reduce labor strain and improve sales. Multilocation operators that need consistency across widespread markets.
Finally, assess long-term alignment. The best private label bread suppliers for stores act as partners, helping you adapt to market trends, seasonal demand and operational shifts without disrupting the shelf.
A strong supplier does more than fill space in the bakery aisle. It supports profitability, brand trust and day-to-day operational efficiency across your grocery business.
Questions to ask your private label bread supplier
It can be quite daunting when reaching out to potential service providers, so having a detailed list of questions will give you actionable insights across each company you consider. These questions can help you work through multiple bakeries and find the best one.
FAQ
These frequently asked questions can help you unravel the mysteries of store branding and the baked goods industry.
Q: What is the difference between private labeling and co-packing?
A: Private labeling is when a bakery produces a product for a retailer to sell under its own brand name. The retailer controls the name, but the product is manufactured according to the supplier’s existing recipes and specifications. When co-packing, a retailer or brand owner provides their own unique recipe and packaging materials to a manufacturing partner, who then produces and packages the product on their behalf.
Q: How does a private label program increase a grocery store’s profitability?
A: Retail brand programs can boost profitability in several ways. They typically offer higher profit margins compared to national brands because production and marketing costs are lower. Furthermore, a successful own-brand line builds customer loyalty to your store, rather than to a national brand, encouraging repeat business and giving you control over pricing and promotions.
Q: What are the main distribution methods for private-label bread?
A: The two most common methods are direct store delivery (DSD) and warehouse distribution. With DSD, the supplier delivers fresh products directly to your retail locations, often managing the stock on the shelves. This is ideal for fresh bread. With warehouse distribution, products are typically frozen and sent to your central distribution center, which you then deliver to your individual stores. This method is common for products with a longer shelf life or for “bake-in-store” solutions.
Choose the best private label bread suppliers
White label baked goods programs succeed when the supplier relationship supports consistency, flexibility and dependable execution. While product quality sets the baseline, factors like delivery structure, order management and in-store support often determine how well a program performs over time.
The best fit depends on how your store operates today and where you plan to grow tomorrow. Align with a supplier that understands baked goods and grocery workflows to ensure they adapt to your needs, turning bread into an asset instead of a liability.
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