In a crunch, Thomas’ blocks exec with English Muffins secrets from jumping to rival Hostess
By APMonday, June 14, 2010
English Muffin-maker guards ‘nooks and crannies’
PHILADELPHIA — Chris Botticella (BAHT’-uh-CHEL’-ah) is one of just seven people armed with the secret to the “nooks and crannies” in Thomas’ English Muffins.
Thomas’ wants to keep it that way. The company sells $500 million of the crunchy toaster treats each year.
Its parent company is suing Botticella, a longtime executive, to stop him from taking the closely guarded recipe and other company information to rival Hostess Brands.
The trade-secrets case is playing out in federal court in Philadelphia. Thomas’ is owned by Pennsylvania-based Bimbo bakeries.
A federal judge has so far sided with Thomas’ parent company and says Botticella can’t join Hostess until a trial determines if he’s likely to divulge Bimbo secrets.
Botticella lives in Trabuco Canyon, Calif. He says he did nothing wrong and is appealing the decision.
