Amy’s Kitchen has announced the promotion of Paul Schiefer to Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal milestone in the company’s nearly 40-year history. Co-founder Andy Berliner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, focusing on long-term vision and governance, while Schiefer assumes day-to-day operational leadership.
The transition arrives as Amy's Kitchen approaches 1 billion dollars in annual retail sales, with products available in more than 57,000 stores nationwide. The appointment reflects a strategic commitment to internal leadership development and the preservation of the company’s independent, family-owned identity in an increasingly consolidated food industry.
The Schiefer Track Record: Operational Excellence and Profitability
Schiefer’s ascent to CEO follows a successful two-year tenure as President, during which he oversaw a significant turnaround in the company’s financial performance. Under his leadership, Amy's Kitchen achieved several key benchmarks:
Profitability Growth: Improved the company's profitability by 60%.
Margin Performance: Delivered the strongest gross margin performance for the brand in over a decade.
Enterprise Transformation: Led the implementation of critical ERP systems and sustainability initiatives that streamlined global operations.
Schiefer’s 20-year history with the firm—starting as a manufacturing intern—provides him with a granular understanding of the supply chain, from production-line mechanics to international business development.
Innovation, Sustainability, and Trust
As CEO, Schiefer has outlined three core pillars to drive the next chapter of the Amy's Kitchen legacy:
1. Advancing Innovation
The brand aims to stay at the "forefront of food culture" by accelerating product development that resonates with younger demographics. This includes a focus on transparency and the role of responsible business in rebuilding consumer trust, a critical factor as shoppers increasingly scrutinise ingredient lists and manufacturing origins.
2. Sustainability Leadership
As a Certified B Corporation, Amy's Kitchen is doubling down on its "People, Planet, and Purpose" model. Schiefer will oversee the expansion of sustainability initiatives that aim to decouple the company’s growth from its environmental footprint, a move designed to appeal to the "conscious consumer" segment.
3. Operational Excellence
To fuel long-term growth and reach the 1 billion dollar milestone, Schiefer is prioritising operational rigour. This includes optimising the company’s manufacturing scale, which produces organic meals with the "care of home cooking", to meet rising national demand without compromising ingredient integrity.
The Value of Independence and Trust
The organic and natural food sector is currently undergoing a crisis of trust, with many consumers questioning the labels and corporate motives of large-scale food producers. Schiefer noted that Amy's Kitchen’s status as an independent, family-owned company "matters more than ever" in this environment.
By maintaining its independence, Amy's Kitchen avoids the short-term pressures of public markets, allowing Schiefer to focus on multi-year strategic outcomes. This positioning is a key B2B differentiator for retail buyers at chains like Whole Foods, Target, and Kroger, who seek brands with authentic "heritage" stories to anchor their organic aisles.
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