Nature's Bakery Confirms Termination Of Stewart-Haas Racing Sponsorship - Family Owned Business Seeks To Resolve Issues Caused By Team Owners

RENO, Nev., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Family-owned Nature's Bakery, maker of leading fig and fruit bars, is confirming media reports that it has discontinued its relationship with Stewart-Haas Racing. 

Following months of negotiations, Nature's Bakery recently notified SHR that it could not continue the partnership due to several commercial and contractual issues during the 2016 race season. 

Nature's Bakery is aware of SHR's media campaign and recent false legal complaint.  Those actions appear to have damaged SHR's own business and unnecessarily drawn attention to SHR driver Danica Patrick.  Contrary to SHR statements, Nature's Bakery remains a healthy and vibrant company.

"We were thrown off by SHR's lawsuit," Company CEO Kelly Allin stated.  "SHR and its owners are no stranger to aggressive litigation.  Ours is a family business that repeatedly sought to resolve our issues privately.  In fact, we were scheduled to meet in Charlotte just days before they sued us."

Nature's Bakery will be filing a detailed response and counterclaims shortly.  The filing will shed light on SHR's conduct both during the race season and after.  "Contrary to its image, SHR is run by big-business types that took advantage of Nature's Bakery.  They now are threatening scorched earth litigation against a multi-generational family company," said Mr. Allin.  "We're obviously not going to let them bully us.  We may be a small brand, but we do not think what they are doing is right.  We look forward to defending ourselves in court."

Meanwhile, Nature's Bakery has informed its various stakeholders that the business is healthy and is looking to expand operations and continue its growth in 2017.  Founder Dave Marson adds, "We obviously are disappointed in how things turned out, but we wish Danica Patrick and her new Ford team much success on the track this year.  We are always going to be NASCAR fans and support the good works that it represents." 

As part of its 2017 initiatives, Nature's Bakery will be announcing a new public service and defeat hunger campaign. 

About Nature's Bakery:  Nature's Bakery is a leading, family-owned natural foods baker founded and based in Reno, Nevada.  Its innovative and healthy fig and fruit bars can be found at retailers around the country.

For more information, contact:
Andrew Strolin
Vice President, Marketing
Nature's Bakery
775.883.2253
[email protected]

SOURCE Nature's Bakery