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Table Talk Pies sold to Minnesota baking company; no big changes expected in Worcester

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Table Talk Pies sold to Minnesota baking company; no big changes expected in Worcester

WORCESTER — Table Talk Pies, a century-old cultural and commercial institution in Worcester, has been sold to Rise Baking Co.

Based in Minneapolis, Rise has been owned since 2018 by Olympus Partners, a Stamford, Connecticut, private equity firm.

Reuters reported in January that Olympus was preparing to launch a sale process for Rise that could value the bakery provider at $2.5 billion, including debt.

According to a press release announcing the Table Talk sale, Table Talk is expected to continue making its trademark pies at its plant on Gardner Street in Worcester.

Harry Kokkinis, the grandson of Table Talk’s founder, said he does not expect any significant changes to the Worcester operation. Jobs could be added, according to the company.

“I’ve been very impressed with the people from Rise Baking and their integrity,” Kokkinis said in the news release.

Rise Baking Co. is relatively young company, dating to 2013. It distributes goods to bakeries and grocery stores under a handful of brands, including Best Maid and Bakestone Brothers.

Table Talk traces its roots to 1924, when Kokkinis’ grandfather, Theodore Tonna, founded it with partner Angelo Cotsida. They were Greek immigrants who had settled in Worcester. Eventually the company was known throughout North America for its trademark 4-inch pies.

In January 2022, the company made the last of its pies at its longtime home in Kelley Square. The company is now headquartered in a sprawling plant on Gardner Street.

“I’m sure (Rise) will be great stewards of the Table Talk legacy and the employees who have worked so hard to make this company great,” said Kokkinis, the Table Talk president.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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