Betsy Hamm (sixth from the left) at the launch of Duck Donuts’ first Thai store in October 2023

Duck Donuts CEO Betsy Hamm has resigned amid a round of corporate layoffs at the US bakery-café chain.

Hamm joined Pennsylvania-based Duck Donuts in 2016 to lead its marketing before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in November 2017. She became CEO in April 2021, when the business was acquired by US private equity firm NewSpring Capital and accelerated international expansion.

The bakery-café chain, which has over 140 US outlets, established a presence in East Asia and the Middle East during Hamm’s tenure as CEO and has also signed agreements to launch in Australia and the UK.

“From 20 locations to nearly 200, spanning new markets and countries, it has been an extraordinary ride. Serving as CEO for nearly four years has been the greatest honour of my career, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far Duck Donuts has come,” Hamm wrote on LinkedIn.

Duck Donuts recently began reducing corporate headcount at its headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

“Duck Donuts continues to grow and develop as a brand. This requires continuous reallocation of staff, to properly support our franchise system. Positions within Duck Donuts headquarters were evaluated and necessary changes were made for the company to remain on a growth trajectory,” a Duck Donuts spokesperson told World Coffee Portal.

NewSpring Capital’s food and beverage portfolio also includes the Federal Donuts, Great Harvest and Shake Smart fast-casual chains.

Source: World Coffee Portal