Josh Allen explains how he scaled Companion Baking from a local St. Louis startup to a national supplier by remaining agile through industry challenges like the pandemic and shifting dietary trends. He details his commitment to the 1% for the Planet initiative and food insecurity causes, proving that a company's internal soul is just as important as its external success. The conversation offers profound insights into maintaining grit and fostering deep-rooted relationships with employees and vendors to leave a lasting legacy of integrity.
Bio: Josh Allen is the Founder and President of Companion Baking, a 30+ year old St. Louis–born frozen bread manufacturer built on craft, curiosity, and a genuine love of nourishing the community. Today, he’s leading the next chapter of the business in partnership with Shore Capital Partners as they work together to build a national frozen bread platform grounded in quality, culture, and long-term thinking.
Josh also hosts The Baked-In Podcast, where he digs into the stories behind founders, leaders, and builders—exploring how values, culture, and resilience shape companies that last.
Outside the bakery, Josh is a father of five, a committed supporter of the St. Louis Area Foodbank and Pedal the Cause, and an athlete who finds equal joy in strength training, rucking, and long rides on two wheels. Whether he’s growing a business, hosting a conversation, or grinding through a workout, Josh brings the same energy: build something meaningful, stay curious, and always leave people better than you found them.
Something Extra: "I think it's believing in the integrity of those relationships with our people, with our vendors, with our customers."
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