The group behind Paul Hollywood's part-baked bread brand, which is reported to be weighing up a £200m full or partial sale, posted another jump in its turnover during its latest financial year.
In accounts for Sherlock Foods Holdings, the company behind Manchester-based St Pierre Groupe, the business posted a turnover of £111.5m for 2021, up from £102.8m.
Its headcount rose from 58 to 74 but it did fall to a pre-tax loss of £6,339 after making a profit of £5.9m in 2020.
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The company was founded as Carrs Foods in 1986 as part of a large European bakery group.
In 2004, it became privately-owned through a management buy-out and secured a £6.7m investment from the likes of investment from BGF and partner Lloyds Bank in March 2019.
Its brands also include St Pierre and Baker Street and has supply deals with supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's.
A statement signed off by the board said: "The market throughout 2021 was not without its challenges, due in part to the continued pandemic and its impact on global trading and its associated costs.
"However, after significant investment in product and people, St Pierre Groupe continued to grow."
It added: "The pandemic drove significant shifts in consumer attitudes in every sector and in 2021 St Pierre Groupe worked to ensure that its brands were offering the 'right products in the right place, at the right time' in order to meet a range of consumer demands.
"Key recruits further bolstered supply chain and commercial departments, both in the UK and Stateside, where St Pierre is the number one brioche brand.
"The St Pierre brand grew 84% in the UK alone during 2021, thanks to increased listings with Britain's major retailers.
"Baker Street also enjoyed continued success in the major multiple market, with a stellar seasonal range launch which secured the brand shelf-space in new markets.
"Whilst the Paul Hollywood brand did not meet the same impressive sales stats achieved in 2020, the brand is up on 2019 sales and continues to be the number one brand in part-baked bread, with plans to continue growth with new products in the next 18 months."
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