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ABE’S Bagels acquired following record year
ABE’S CEO Jesse Newson and chairman and majority shareholder Tony Kerridge.
ABE’S Bagels has been acquired by George Weston Foods NZ Limited (GWF), the company behind Tip Top Bakery, Golden and Big Ben.
The acquisition coincides with a record year for ABE’S, which posted gross sales of more than $50 million for the 2026 financial year. The figure is a 25% jump on the prior year as the company continues to grow the bagel category across both sides of the Tasman.
The result caps a three-year run in which sales have grown by 30%, driven by the successful launch of the THIIINS range and continued investment in production capability.
ABE’S now produces more than 1.2 million bagels per week out of its Auckland bakery and holds 76% market share across Australia and New Zealand.
Take it further
“We’ve built something we’re incredibly proud of,” says Tony Kerridge, chairman and majority shareholder of ABE’S Bagels.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to grow the bagel category across New Zealand and Australia and we’re thrilled to see how well our bagels are being received in both markets. George Weston Foods understands that mission and has the scale to help us take it further.”
Jesse Newson, CEO of ABE’S says: “We are delighted that all 140 staff members are continuing employment under GWF and operations will continue from the ABE’S Bakery in St Johns, Auckland.”
A natural fit
A key driver of the recent result has been the THIIINS range, launched in 2024.
THIIINS generated $9 million in sales since launch and now represents around 18% of total ABE’S sales. The range attracted new shoppers into the category while the core range also continued to grow over the same period.
ABE’S Protein Bagel has also been well received, becoming one of the best-selling bagel SKUs since launch.
George Weston Foods says ABE’S was a natural fit with its portfolio of category-leading bakery brands.
“Both GWF and ABE’S share a passion for baking exceptional quality products that our consumers love,” says Mark Bosomworth, general manager of GWF Baking NZ.
“We look forward to expanding our bakery portfolio into a dynamic new segment and are excited to bring the unique skills and expertise of the ABE’S Bagels team into our organisation.”
ABE’S was recognised for its strategy at the 2025 New Zealand Marketing Awards, winning the Excellence in FMCG Strategy Award for its work growing the bagel category.
