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Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (BBW) is a global specialty retailer that offers an interactive, hands-on experience for creating personalized stuffed animals. Founded in 1997, the company operates through physical stores, e-commerce platforms, and licensing agreements, catering to a diverse audience that includes children, tweens, teens, and adults. BBW sells customizable plush toys, accessories, and related merchandise while also generating revenue through wholesale activities and intellectual property licensing.
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) - Operates corporately-managed stores and e-commerce platforms, offering customizable stuffed animals, accessories, and gifting options. Includes features like the online "Bear-Builder," the adult-focused "Bear Cave," and the "HeartBox" gift site.
- Commercial - Engages in wholesale product sales to third-party retailers and licenses intellectual property, including entertainment properties, for third-party use.
- International Franchising - Licenses the BBW brand to franchisees in select countries across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America, generating revenue through royalties and product sales.
Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sharon Price John ExecutiveBoard | President and Chief Executive Officer | Board of Directors of Jack in the Box Inc. | Sharon Price John is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop since March 2016, having originally joined BBW on June 3, 2013 as Chief Executive Officer and Chief President Bear. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Jack in the Box Inc., adding to her extensive leadership background. | View Report → |
David Henderson Executive | Chief Revenue Officer | David Henderson is the Chief Revenue Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop since September 16, 2024, focusing on driving growth across retail and e-commerce while overseeing key operations. Previously, he held leadership roles at Melissa & Doug, Newell Brands Inc., and Hasbro, contributing extensive expertise in consumer products and licensing. | ||
Eric Fencl Executive | Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary | Eric Fencl has served as the Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary at Build-A-Bear Workshop since October 2015, after initially joining in July 2008. Prior to his current role, he held leadership positions at Outsourcing Solutions Inc., and gained extensive legal experience at other companies. | ||
J. Christopher Hurt Executive | Chief Operations and Experience Officer | J. Christopher Hurt is the Chief Operations and Experience Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop since June 2020, where he oversees operations and enhances customer experience. He previously served as Chief Operations Officer at BBW starting in April 2015 and held senior leadership roles at companies including American Eagle Outfitters, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Procter & Gamble. | ||
Voin Todorovic Executive | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Voin Todorovic is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Build-A-Bear Workshop (BBW) since September 2014, playing a key role in the company’s financial turnaround and strategic initiatives. Previously, he held executive roles at Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., and gained extensive experience at Collective Brands, Inc. and Payless ShoeSource. | ||
Craig Leavitt Board | Non-Executive Chairman | Craig Leavitt serves as the Non-Executive Chairman at Build-A-Bear Workshop since January 4, 2018. He brings extensive retail leadership experience from his previous roles, including serving as CEO at Kate Spade. | ||
George Carrara Board | Director | Strategic advisor to Stigmi Learning; Advisory board member of Zliide Technologies ApS | George Carrara has served as Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at BBW since July 26, 2019. He brings extensive leadership experience from previous roles at Tommy Hilfiger and Kate Spade. | |
Lesli Rotenberg Board | Director | Lesli Rotenberg has served as a Director on the Build-A-Bear Workshop Board of Directors since November 30, 2021, contributing to the Compensation and Development and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Previously, she held senior roles at PBS and Discovery Communications, bringing extensive experience in content creation, marketing, and strategic planning. | ||
Narayan Iyengar Board | Director | Narayan Iyengar has extensive experience in digital transformation and strategic operations, and he has been serving as a Director on BBW's Board of Directors since November 30, 2021. He has previously held executive roles at DISH Network, Albertsons Companies, The Walt Disney Company, and served as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. | ||
Richard A. Johnson Board | Class III Director | Board Director, H&R Block, Inc. ; Board Director, Graebel Companies, Inc. | Richard A. Johnson has a distinguished career in the retail industry, serving as CEO and President of Foot Locker, Inc. from December 2014 until September 2022 and holding key board roles at companies such as H&R Block, Inc. and Graebel Companies, Inc. He was appointed as a Class III Director at Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. on March 5, 2025. |
- Despite positive trends in store traffic and transaction values, why is your revenue guidance for 2025 only mid-single-digit growth? What factors are causing you to keep the outlook conservative despite the expansion plans and strong consumer engagement?
- Given the recent slowdown in e-commerce sales, what specific strategies are you implementing to improve your online business performance in the long term, and how will you integrate your digital and physical channels more effectively?
- With increasing tariff pressures and over 50% of your products still sourced from China, how do you plan to mitigate the impact of tariffs on your costs, and what strategies are in place to further reduce dependency on Chinese manufacturing while maintaining product quality and margins?
- Considering the softness in conversion rates despite higher traffic and increased average transaction size, what steps are you taking to address conversion challenges and ensure that increased traffic leads to higher sales?
- As you plan to open at least 50 new experience locations in 2025, primarily through international partner-operated stores, how are you managing the risks associated with rapid international expansion, and what measures are in place to ensure these new stores meet your profitability expectations?
Competitors mentioned in the company's latest 10K filing.
Company | Description |
---|---|
Ty | Competes indirectly by selling plush products or premium children's toys, which are included in the toy category. |
Competes indirectly by selling plush products or premium children's toys, which are included in the toy category. | |
Competes indirectly by selling plush products or premium children's toys, which are included in the toy category. | |
Lego | Competes indirectly by selling plush products or premium children's toys, which are included in the toy category. |
Ganz | Competes indirectly by selling plush products or premium children's toys, which are included in the toy category. |
Steiff | Competes indirectly by selling plush products or premium children's toys, which are included in the toy category. |
Competes as an online retailer selling toys and plush products. | |
Competes as a mass merchandiser selling toys and plush products. | |
Competes as a mass merchandiser selling toys and plush products. | |
The Entertainer Toy Shop | Competes as a specialty toy store selling toys and plush products. |
Smyths Toys Superstores | Competes as a specialty toy store selling toys and plush products. |
Hamleys | Competes as a specialty toy store selling toys and plush products. |
Vermont Teddy Bear | Competes in the gift-giving and affinity business. |
Competes in the gift-giving and affinity business. | |
Competes in the gift-giving and affinity business. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for BBW.
- The company released an investor presentation as Exhibit 99.1, attached to the Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2025.
- The presentation supplements GAAP financials with non-GAAP measures to better assess operating performance.
- It includes forward-looking statements that highlight risks and uncertainties which may affect future results.