Nourishing Adventures.
To embody the inspiration for their granola, Kelly Flatley and Brendan Synnott decided upon “bear” which evoked the outdoors, and “naked” to imply the absence of additives. Acquired by Kashi in 2007.
As natural and organics continued to gain momentum, consumers sought healthier alternatives, but not without a believable brand story to connect with.
Bear Naked, the renowned food company specializing in whole grain granolas, granola bites, and oatmeal, began back in 2002. During in her college days, she crafted granola in her dorm room and shared it with friends, igniting a passion for wholesome and delicious food. Fate brought her together with Synnott in 2002, in Darien, Connecticut, where they joined forces to pursue their vision and the company quickly gained recognition for its commitment to natural ingredients and sustainable practices.
During the company's early days, Flatley burned the midnight oil, tirelessly preparing granola and delivering it to local stores the next morning. With Synnott by her side, they evolved from a small-scale operation to utilizing a commercial kitchen. As the sole employees of Bear Naked, they took on the roles of creators, distributors, and marketers, building the brand from the ground up.
In 2003, Stew Leonard’s supermarket chain in New York picked up their granola, which helped pull the company into commercial success.
Kelly Flatley and Brendan Synnott
FOUNDERS
Kelly Flatley & Brendan Synnott
The remarkable trajectory of Bear Naked caught the attention of industry giant Kashi, a subsidiary of the Kellogg Company. In 2007, Flatley and Synnott made the strategic decision to sell Bear Naked for an impressive sum of over $60 million. Despite the acquisition, the founders remained with the company for a year to ensure a seamless transition into the new parent organization.
Today, Bear Naked thrives under the management of Kellogg's Kashi Co. organic unit, upholding its commitment to producing high-quality, organic food. From its humble beginnings in a dorm room to its current standing as a prominent player in the natural and organics industry, Bear Naked exemplifies the power of passion, innovation, and a dedication to wholesome goodness.
“People weren’t used to products coming alive. We wanted to make ourselves accessible because we wanted to let people know that there was really a face behind the product.”
-Kelly
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→ Faith in Granola Earned Its Makers Millions
→ After You've Made Millions
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