Dive Brief:
- As part of a planned succession, Build-A-Bear Workshop CEO Sharon Price John will retire from her role on June 11, according to a Thursday press release.
- Chief Operations and Experience Officer Chris Hurt will succeed Price John as chief executive. Hurt will also be part of the company’s board of directors upon assuming the CEO title.
- The executive news was delivered alongside the company’s earnings. Fourth quarter revenues were $154.5 million, an increase of 2.7%, while total revenues for fiscal year 2025 were nearly $530 million, an increase of 6.7%.
Dive Insight:
Hurt’s appointment to CEO was the conclusion of a multiyear succession planning process.
Hurt has been with the company for over 10 years, and has spent most of his time leading the toy company’s global retail organization, where he oversaw more than 4,000 employees.
Price John, who originally took over the CEO role from the founder Maxine Clark 13 years ago, will stay on Build-A-Bear’s board to help with a smooth transition.
“Chris has clearly demonstrated his knowledge, skill, leadership and passion over the last ten years, and in turn, has generated tremendous value for Build-A-Bear and its stakeholders,” Craig Leavitt, chairman of the board, said in a statement. “He also has a remarkable ability to connect with the organization in a way that not only creates a strong culture but drives people toward success, making him the ideal candidate.”
Meanwhile, Build-A-Bear reported its fifth consecutive year of record results, per the company. Net income in Q4 decreased over 24% to $16.4 million, while net income for the year was relatively flat at $52.2 million. The company opened more than 60 net new stores across multiple geographies.
Build-A-Bear projects that total revenues for fiscal 2026 will grow in the mid-single-digits. The company expects capital expenditures of between $22 million and $25 million, and a net growth of 50 experience store locations.
