Golden Crust Bakery to Open Three New Locations
Golden Crust Bakery, a regional chain known for its sourdough bread, will open three new locations by the end of this year, the company announced on Tuesday. The expansion will bring the total number of shops to seven and includes the company's first location outside Oregon, in Austin, Texas.
Founder and CEO Maria Chen started Golden Crust in 2011, selling loaves from a stall at a Portland farmers market. The business has grown steadily since then, with sales rising 18 percent last year as demand for its baked goods increased among both retail and wholesale customers.
Unlike the existing shops, the new locations will include small classroom spaces where customers can take baking courses taught by the company's bakers. The company also plans to hire about sixty additional employees across the three sites. Applications for the Austin store open next month, and the company says it will give priority to applicants with experience in food service.