As the older brother, Brandon has been in the business the longest, and he’s developed a knack for simplifying even the most complex situations. His discerning nature serves the company well. Considered the calm in the storm through adversity and change, Brandon is described as the ultimate level-headed leader, never taking his focus off the bigger picture, and always keeping quality at the forefront of his decisions.

“It fills me with joy to witness the deep sense of pride our employees show both in making our product and working together. From our management team to our newest members, the people behind the product never fail to inspire me, and this unwavering dedication guides each and every decision we make.”

He started out stocking shelves and “supervising” his younger brother on weekends.  When he graduated from Martin Luther High School in 2001, Brandon enrolled in UW-Milwaukee with a focus on Marketing and Business, but he continued learning the ropes at the bakery as a machine operator. When his father, Jim Jr., started experiencing mounting health issues, he stepped in to take over some of the day-to-day executive functions of the business, acting as liaison between his dad and the bakery when hospitalization and declining health prevented Jim from being present.

Although Brandon had gained some experience running the bakery, the decision to sign on as President of the company after his father’s passing was not one that he took lightly. 

“There was a lot of work to be done, and I knew there were a lot of families depending on us. I was barely in my 30s and raising a family of my own, so I had an important decision to make. Colton and I agreed that as long as we were both committed to the bakery, we would succeed.”

And with that, Brandon committed to putting in the work, taking on the challenge of moving the business to the next level. 

“My brother and I had a vision for the business. We knew we had an amazing product and a dedicated customer base, but the market was changing, and we knew we needed to change with it, just as our dad, grandpa, and great grandmother had done before us. We also knew that we wanted to make the Grebe’s team one that everyone wanted to be a part of. Workplace culture has changed all over, and we wanted to make the bakery a great place to work. I think we’re well on our way.”

Brandon’s favorite part about the business? The tradition.

“We’re surrounded by family tradition – and not just that of our relatives. I love hearing the stories shared by past employees and their families, many with multiple generations of family members who were part of our team at one time or another.  Each story is a testament to the bonds formed through our four generations. 

And witnessing the special kind of magic in watching a parent walk through our doors with their child, the anticipation and excitement evident on their faces, and then seeing them leave with a cookie or donut in hand – the smiles are priceless and are great reminder of the simple joys in life. 

Plus, how can anyone have a bad when you’re constantly surrounded by fresh donuts?!”