Amy’s Kitchen, a family-owned producer of over 150 varieties of organic frozen and canned organic prepared food, has named Paul Schiefer (pictured above in the middle with co-founders Rachel and Andy Berliner) as its chief executive officer. Former CEO Andy Berliner is transitioning to executive chairman of the board. The move marks a milestone in multi-year leadership succession planning and reflects the Petaluma, California-headquartered company’s continued evolution, pairing nearly 40 years of heritage with a focus on staying relevant in tomorrow’s marketplace.
Schiefer, who has served as president since 2023, brings more than two decades of experience across nearly every area of the business, from his early days as a manufacturing intern to leading international expansion, sustainability initiatives and enterprise-wide transformation. Under his leadership as president, Amy’s delivered its strongest gross margin performance in a decade and improved profitability by 60%.
“This transition reflects the strength of our team and the foundation we’ve built together,” said Schiefer. “Amy’s has always been about doing the right thing – for our food, our people, and our planet. I’m committed to protecting that legacy while ensuring our values continue to resonate with the next generation of consumers who care just as much as we do about what’s in their food and how it’s made.”
Schiefer will focus on three core priorities in his new role: advancing innovation to remain in the forefront of food culture, reinforcing the company’s leadership in sustainability and responsible business practices, and driving operational excellence to fuel long-term growth. These build on recent efforts to engage more directly in conversations shaping the future of food, including transparency around how food is made and the role of responsible business in rebuilding consumer trust.
“Paul has been instrumental in navigating some of our most important chapters,” said Berliner. “He understands what makes this company special and how to carry that forward. His leadership, insight, and connection to our values made him the clear choice to lead Amy’s.”
In his new role as executive chairman, Berliner will focus on vision, governance and stewardship of the company’s purpose and values, while Schiefer leads Amy’s Kitchen forward day to day. Co-founder Rachel Berliner remains an active contributor to innovation, marketing and the board.
Today, Amy’s Kitchen products are available in more than 57,000 stores in the United States and in more than 11 other countries around the globe, as the company is approaching $1 billion in annual retail sales.
“Amy’s was built on the belief that food can be made at scale with the same care as it is at home,” Schiefer said. “In a moment when consumers are questioning who they can trust, that 40-year track record as an independent, family-owned company matters more than ever.”
