Le Duff America Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Claude Bergeron, announced the appointment of restaurant and hospitality industry veteran Jim Vinz as Co-CEO of Le Duff America, the North American management company of café brands that include la Madeleine Country French Café, Bruegger’s Bagels, Timothy’s World Coffee, and Brioche Dorée.
Vinz will provide substantial support to the management teams and the president of each of the divisions as well as to sister company, the second largest bakery-café company worldwide, French-based Group Le Duff in Europe and South America.
With three decades of experience, Vinz formerly served as president of Corner Bakery Café, growing the brand from five Chicago-based restaurants to a nationally recognized bakery-café leader overseeing cafes across the U.S.
Over his 16 years with Corner Bakery Cafe, he lead the development of the brand’s acclaimed catering strategy and substantial franchise program growth. Vinz also served as vice president of operations for Bay Street Restaurants.
“Jim Vinz’s vision and experience strengthens our leadership in North America’s bakery-café segment and will enhance our collective brands,” Bergeron says. “Vinz is an ideal addition to our team and I look forward to working with him to forge new initiatives, catapult our growth, and continue to offer superior guest experiences.”
“Partnering with Claude Bergeron to lead Le Duff America and bring together the strengths of Bruegger’s, la Madeleine, Timothy’s World Coffee, and Brioche Dorée, as we are poised for great franchise growth, is a very exciting opportunity,” Vinz says.
In addition to his professional work, Vinz is very involved in industry forums and consortiums, including People Report and Share our Strength. Vinz is active in organizations addressing childhood hunger and serves as chairman of the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry program. His personal commitment is to end U.S. childhood hunger by 2015.
