Dairy Processing -March/April 2022 - 32

OPERATIONS
reaching the
next level
D
by Allison Gibeson | dairyprocessing@sosland.com
airy companies with a nationwide reach don't always
start as large operations. They often grow from
beginnings as small local or regional brands. High
Road, Bellwether Farms and Good Culture all are processors
that have followed such a growth trajectory.
As these companies reflected on their journeys, targeted
growth and securing funding were frequently mentioned as
keys to expansion and long-term success.
TAKING THE HIGH ROAD
Selling retail ice cream was never exactly in the business plan
for Marietta, Ga.-based High Road. Rather, it happened more
organically when Keith Schroeder, a James Beard Awardwinning
chef, began having a hard time sourcing high-quality
ice cream serves.
" He saw this need for a market where he could create
an ice cream made by chefs and for chefs, " said Nicki
Schroeder, his wife and co-founder of the company. " The
idea of using the highest-quality products, the highest-quality
ingredients and making everything from scratch by hand was
really the great answer to what he struggled with as a chef. "
With this framework, they began making ice cream
products for the foodservice market in 2010. Whole Foods
approached them about becoming a regional ice cream
partner in 2012 and offered to support them in the effort.
After High Road products began selling well at Whole Foods,
other retailers began to seek them out as well. This led to a
nationwide reach of their brand and expansion into private
label manufacturing, and in 2014 they built out their facility in
Georgia to 75,000 square feet.
Christian Rodriguez, chief operating officer, said they
realized one of the biggest needs they had during the growth
process was to expand the team itself. As they were all
primarily chefs, they needed more accounting, finance and
manufacturing expertise in-house. Rodriguez said they also
had to be methodical about the projects they accepted so they
moved forward with a consistent growth strategy.
The Marietta, Ga., headquarters for High Road, which
began manufacturing ice cream in 2010.
Processors share the successes and challenges of growing their businesses.
32 MAR-APR 2022 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
High Road

http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM

Dairy Processing -March/April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dairy Processing -March/April 2022

Dairy Processing -March/April 2022 - Intro
Dairy Processing -March/April 2022 - 1
Dairy Processing -March/April 2022 - 2
Dairy Processing -March/April 2022 - 3
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