Self-Made CEO
Jerry Shreiber and the American Dream
By Joshua M. Sklare and Michael Cramer
Published: 2026, 355 pages
Client: Gerald Shreiber
Born: 1941, Bridgeton, New Jersey
Industry: Snack Foods
Gerry Shreiber, founder, former president, CEO, and chairman of J & J Snack Foods Corporation, knows that you win the game by keeping a close eye on the details, working hard, and dreaming big. In 1971, he bought a bankrupt soft pretzel bakery for $72,100—a large sum of money for him at the time—and turned the company into a billion-dollar brand. But Gerry’s life and accomplishments transcend the twisted salty treat and the world of snack foods. His many passions—animal welfare, higher education, and the State of Israel—have translated into transformative gifts, which have bettered the lives of both people and pets.