David Austin, president of Bruegger’s Bagels, will step down, effective at the end of April. He will continue to work with Bruegger's Bagels’ parent company, Groupe Le Duff S.A. on special projects.

Groupe Le Duff said it has begun a search for a new president for Bruegger’s Bagels and will continue to keep its corporate office in Burlington.

In the interim a team will lead Bruegger’s operations consisting of Claude Bergeron, co-chief executive officer of Groupe Le Duff S.A.; Bob Parette, chief financial officer of Bruegger’s Bagels; and Donald Ritacca, senior vice-president of operations of Bruegger’s Bagels.

“David Austin has served Bruegger’s Bagels for more than 12 years and deserves much credit for its current success,” Bergeron says. “He remains committed to the brand and we will tap into his unmatched expertise to foster ongoing growth.”

Austin began his career with Bruegger’s in 1997 as chief administrative officer and general counsel, where he served until December 2000. He was named president in January 2001.

Bruegger’s brand restaurants serve bagels, bread, coffee, specialty drinks, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, desserts, fresh fruit and a variety of other related items. The restaurant chain produces approximately 70 million bagels each year at approximately 300 restaurants in 26 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.