For nearly five decades, Bob’s Red Mill has been a trusted name in simple, homemade foods, deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest and recognized for its commitment to quality, integrity, and people. Once a small, family-run stone mill, the company is now a 100% employee-owned global leader in whole-grain, gluten-free, and organic foods.
As Bob’s Red Mill has continued to grow, its leaders realized they needed a banking provider with deep industry experience, a strong understanding of its employee-owned structure, and a relationship‑first approach that could scale with the business.
That realization set the foundation for a trusted, values‑driven relationship with PNC.
A Trusted Brand Preparing for Its Next Chapter
“As our company has grown, the expectations around our financial providers have grown as well,” said Brian Gill, CFO of Bob’s Red Mill. “We were thinking carefully about how to position the business for the future and what kind of support we would need along the way.”
The company saw an opportunity to step back and ask whether its current banking relationship was keeping pace with the business.
“They weren’t just looking for a new bank,” said Ryan Morris, Relationship Manager – Corporate Banking at PNC. “They were looking for a provider who understood their business, their industry, and their ownership structure — and who could grow with them.”
That ultimately led Bob’s Red Mill to launch a competitive process to find a bank that could offer integrated treasury and credit capabilities, a differentiated ESOP advisory offering grounded in a strong understanding of employee‑owned businesses, and deep food and beverage experience.
PNC’s “One Bank” Approach
As discussions deepened, PNC assembled a dedicated, cross‑disciplinary team reflecting the full breadth of the bank’s capabilities. Local relationship managers worked alongside specialists in food and beverage, treasury management, credit, capital markets, and ESOP Solutions to deliver a truly unified experience.
“ESOP companies operate with a unique set of priorities,” said Amy Schuster, Managing Director of ESOP Solutions at PNC. “Our role is to help leadership balance business growth, employee ownership, and provide thoughtful advisory solutions tailored to the company’s needs – and to do that in a way that aligns with the company’s culture.”
While product capabilities were competitive across the field, the cultural alignment and integrated delivery model ultimately set PNC apart.
“It wasn’t about any one product winning the day,” said Eric Lukingbeal, SVP, Corporate Banking at PNC. “What resonated was how we showed up as one team, working together, and how closely that matched the way Bob’s makes decisions internally.”
“PNC took the time to understand how we actually operate,” said Gill. “That made a real difference as we thought about how our banking relationship could evolve alongside the business.”
Today, PNC proudly serves as Bob’s Red Mill’s primary banking provider, supporting credit facilities, treasury management, deposits, corporate card programs, and derivatives solutions — while continuing to collaborate closely across teams.
Positioned for the Future
As Bob’s Red Mill continues to scale, the relationship with PNC is designed to adapt and grow with the company. That includes ongoing industry insight, support for strategic initiatives, and guidance on evolving treasury technology and systems.
“For middle market companies that are growing, the right bank should feel like an extension of the team,” said Morris. “That’s the role we strive to play for Bob’s Red Mill.”
For PNC, the relationship reflects its broader commitment to combining local coverage with national experience, delivering value through collaboration, and building relationships rooted in trust.
For Bob’s Red Mill, it’s a relationship built for the long term — guided by shared values, aligned cultures, and a common vision for the future.
