Gerald Shreiber, the visionary entrepreneur behind J&J Snack Foods, passed away at the age of 84. Starting with a $72,000 investment in a bankrupt soft pretzel company in 1971, Shreiber meticulously built it into a multi-product, billion-dollar enterprise. His most famous innovation, SUPERPRETZELS, became ubiquitous, sold worldwide in thousands of retail locations and public venues, including stadiums.
Shreiber's business acumen extended beyond pretzels. Despite lacking a college degree, he had a knack for identifying and acquiring niche food companies that complemented J&J Snack Foods. This strategy led to the addition of popular brands like churros (in 1981), ICEE Frozen Carbonated Beverages, Luigi's Water Ice, Whole Fruit, Funnel Cake Factory, Dippin' Dots, and Dogsters, significantly expanding the company's product line and global reach.
Beyond his significant business achievements, Shreiber was known for his philanthropy and deep love for animals. He owned six German shepherds, even creating business cards for one as the "Chief Executive Dog." In 2023, he made a substantial $30 million donation to Rowan University, leading to the naming of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine in his honor. This reflected his lifelong passion for animal welfare, a love that began in his childhood.
Described by former employees as a stern but generous boss with a devilish sense of humor, Shreiber embodied the "old-fashioned entrepreneur." His audacious spirit was exemplified by a story where, upon a buyer's interest in water ice, he declared J&J would sell it, despite not having any at the time, eventually adding Luigi's Water Ice to his portfolio. His commitment to the community also included supporting business scholarships and pet therapy programs at Rowan University.
Shreiber's personal journey, from working multiple jobs including a door-to-door salesman and waterbed store owner, to building a publicly traded snack food giant with over 4,500 employees, is frequently cited as an American success story. He often expressed that such an achievement was only possible in the United States, emphasizing his humble beginnings in Bridgeton and his journey to worldwide recognition from Wall Street to Main Street. He was married to Melanie Lawrence Shreiber and was also a fervent supporter of Israel and various Jewish causes, as well as a passionate fan of Philadelphia sports teams like the 76ers, Phillies, and Eagles.
