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As Corner Bakery Cafe( Corner Bakery) approaches its 35th anniversary in November, 2026, the company is focusing on revival and growth. Launched in 1991 as a bakery for Maggiano’ s Little Italy in downtown Chicago, Corner Bakery has become a fast-casual chain with about 90 locations nationwide. With new ownership and a renewed vision, the brand is investing in food, restaurants, technology, people, and a robust growth strategy.
President Erin Hasselgren is driving that effort. After spending nearly two decades with Corner Bakery from 1998 to 2016, Erin returned in 2023 following SSCP Management, Inc.’ s acquisition of the company. He moved from Chief Operating Officer to President the next year, now guiding strategy, operations, culture, and expansion at this pivotal time.
Erin’ s long history with Corner Bakery shapes his perspective on its growth and challenges.“ We’ re very resilient. We don’ t get overwhelmed very easily because we’ ve been through a lot in our 35 years. We know where we came from and where we’ re going,” he shares.
Instead of reinventing the brand, Corner Bakery’ s next chapter centers on what made it special from the beginning. When Erin returned, he made food quality his top priority, from ingredients and sourcing to recipes and preparation.“ We offer a genuinely diverse menu, with fresh options for breakfast, lunch and dinner that make it easy to enjoy something different every day. From scramblers, pancakes and pastries to salads, sandwiches, paninis and homemade soups, all our recipes are developed inhouse. It’ s a menu designed to keep people coming back day after day without ever
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