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Levain Shares CEO Role, Drives Growth
Levain Bakery appoints Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson as co-CEOs, blending operational and marketing expertise to power national expansion and innovation while staying rooted in its brand values.
New Era of Shared Leadership at Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery just announced a significant leadership shift, appointing Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson as co-Chief Executive Officers. This iconic New York bakery, widely respected for its signature cookies and warm hospitality, began on Manhattan’s Upper West Side more than three decades ago and has steadily grown into a national powerhouse with a cult following. The decision to embrace a co-CEO model underscores a commitment to blending complementary strengths and preparing Levain for its next phase of thoughtful, sustainable expansion. For restaurant owners and managers, this marks a notable case study in succession planning, team alignment, and scalable vision - demonstrating how a founder-driven brand can stay true to its roots even as it takes on new chapters of growth.
Operational and Brand Expertise at the Helm
The combination of Sommerville’s and Stenson’s backgrounds delivers a rare blend of operational expertise, marketing innovation, and real-world retail experience. Sommerville, having shaped Levain’s marketing, e-commerce, and innovation strategy, brings with her a successful legacy from top companies like The Coca-Cola Company and Function of Beauty, positioning her to make founder-built brands into household names. Stenson, meanwhile, honed her craft over nearly twenty years at Starbucks, working her way from Barista to Managing Director and leading international teams for the Roastery & Reserve concepts. By aligning these two seasoned leaders, Levain is signaling to the industry the power of collaborative leadership and modern succession - an approach that many restaurant operators can look to as inspiration for grooming internal talent and balancing tradition with change.
Scaling with Intention - Lessons in Growth
Under Sommerville and Stenson’s stewardship, Levain has quadrupled topline sales, growing from a handful of Northeast stores to 19 locations nationwide (with two more on the way). Notably, e-commerce now drives a quarter of all sales - a testament to their successful digital pivots and ability to meet guests where they are. Their story is a practical blueprint for operators striving to grow beyond their original markets -
- Prioritize operational rigor while preserving core products
- Invest in online, seasonal, and innovative offerings to boost year-round revenue
- Scale with care to maintain brand culture and quality, even as the footprint expands
Takeaways for Restaurant Innovators and Leaders
For the broader industry, Levain’s co-CEO transition stands out as a playbook for scaling a company while keeping its soul intact. Their model suggests real benefits in pairing leaders with distinct but complementary strengths - allowing for broader perspective, better problem-solving, and deeper institutional memory. As you plan your brand’s next steps, consider these critical lessons from Levain -
- Succession planning and internal promotion are vital for continuity and culture
- The right leaders can enhance - not dilute - a brand’s core promise as it scales
- Multiple sales channels and thoughtful innovation drive sustainable growth
Building the Future with Hospitality at Heart
Levain’s evolution under Sommerville and Stenson highlights the value of intentional growth, workforce investment, and iconic product focus. With their leadership, Levain continues to set new standards for hospitality, craft, and enterprise-level operational excellence - proof that legacy brands can write their next chapter without losing the warmth and quality that made them famous. For every restaurant manager, this story is a reminder - invest in your people, define your vision early, and never underestimate the impact of building a leadership bench that truly understands both the heritage and the future of your enterprise.
Charting a Bold Course in Restaurant Leadership
Levain Bakery’s embrace of shared leadership and strategic innovation delivers valuable insights for all foodservice professionals. By placing operational discipline and customer experience at the center, the brand effectively transforms legacy into sustained growth - an inspiration for restaurants everywhere facing their own pivotal moments. Stay tuned to see how this co-CEO model evolves and reminds us that resilience, creativity, and vision remain the cornerstones of great restaurants.