Ciao Bella Gelato Names New CEO

Dessert brand taps Carlos Canals as new company head

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ciao Bella today announced that it has named natural food industry veteran Carlos Canals as chief executive officer of the company.

“I am thrilled to join the Ciao Bella family as the brand caps off an exciting year full of innovative new products and extensive retail expansion”

“I am thrilled to join the Ciao Bella family as the brand caps off an exciting year full of innovative new products and extensive retail expansion,” said Canals. “I look forward to continuing that success in 2013 by driving new initiatives that allow our consumers to enjoy the Ciao Bella brand in fresh and unexpected ways.”

Canals joins Ciao Bella following his tenure as president of Boston-based UNREAL Brands, a candy company committed to making products free of artificial colors, flavors, corn syrup, GMOs and preservatives. Prior to that, Canals served as president and CEO of Tribe Mediterranean Foods after spending three years as president and CEO of Kashi in La Jolla, Calif. Previously, he held various positions in marketing, general management and strategic planning with the Kellogg Company.

Canals’ appointment comes as Ciao Bella closes out a successful year that saw the introduction of its industry-trending Greek frozen yogurt line, Adonia by Ciao Bella. The brand also expanded its retail presence in 2012, bolstering its national availability through increased product and store counts in markets across the country.

About CIAO BELLA®: Ciao Bella, America’s most stylish dessert brand, began in New York’s Little Italy and has been tempting taste buds for almost three decades. Beyond ordinary, Ciao Bella’s indulgent collection of gelato, sorbet and new Greek frozen yogurt offers an unparalleled dessert experience by relying on a chef-inspired blend of naturally intense ingredients and a passion for evoking delight in every frozen bite. Offering unique and intense flavors like Blood Orange Sorbet, Key Lime Graham Cracker Gelato and Raspberry Greek Frozen Yogurt, Ciao Bella uses only the most select and pure ingredients, resulting in mouth-watering frozen treats that embody both classic Italy and modern America. The brand has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and on AOL’s home page for its captivating creations.