Former Costa Coffee managing director Jason Cotta has been named Ole & Steen chief executive as the Danish Bakery chain steps up its international expansion.
Cotta, who spent eight years with Costa Coffee and oversaw its expansion from 900 to over 2,500 stores, replaces Jesper Friis, who is stepping down for personal reasons.
Ole & Steen currently operates 97 stores in Denmark and 11 in London, selling bakery items including its signature cinnamon social slice alongside sandwiches, salads and coffee.
Chairman Henrik Brandt said: “Jason Cotta has more than 20 years of extensive management experience with roll-out and operation of strong café- and restaurant concepts in and outside the UK. This experience, as well as Jason's constant focus on a high-quality customer experience and developing dedicated employees who help realize the customer experience, means that Jason is the right CEO to continue our ambitious plan to make Ole & Steen’s unique products and services available to even more consumers in and outside Denmark."
Cotta added: “I have followed the development of Ole & Steen with great interest over the last few years and not least its highly successful entry into the London market. I am deeply impressed by the unique market position that Ole & Steen has established in such a short period of time. I see a strong concept based on very high-quality products and services with significant potential for further growth and expansion. I am really looking forward to meeting and collaborating with the management team and the many dedicated employees at Ole & Steen.”