Plush toy and experiential retail brand Build-A-Bear Workshop has announced a major leadership transition, with longtime President and CEO Sharon Price John set to retire from her role on June 11, 2026, following the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting.
The company’s board has appointed current Chief Operations and Experience Officer Chris Hurt as the next Chief Executive Officer. Hurt will assume the role upon John’s retirement and will also join the company’s board of directors as part of the leadership transition.
The change is part of a multi-year succession planning process undertaken by the board to ensure continuity in leadership as the company continues its global expansion strategy.
John, who has led Build-A-Bear since 2013, will remain on the board to support the transition and advise the incoming leadership. During her tenure, she guided the brand through a significant turnaround, expanded its global footprint and invested heavily in digital and experiential retail initiatives.
Under her leadership, the company achieved five consecutive years of record revenue, including more than $529 million in sales in fiscal 2025, reflecting strong consumer demand for its customisable plush toy experiences and expanding entertainment partnerships.
Reflecting on the transition, John said the company is well positioned for the next phase of growth: “It has been the honour of my professional lifetime to lead Build-A-Bear Workshop and to work alongside such talented and passionate associates. I am incredibly proud of the transformation we have achieved and confident that Chris is the right leader to guide the company into its next chapter.”
Hurt, who joined Build-A-Bear in 2015, has held several senior roles including Chief Operations Officer and later Chief Operations and Experience Officer. In those roles he oversaw key functions such as global retail operations, international expansion, logistics, merchandising, marketing and licensing.
Commenting on his appointment, Hurt said he looks forward to continuing the company’s momentum: “I am honoured to step into the role of CEO and build upon the strong foundation Sharon and the team have created. Build-A-Bear Workshop has tremendous potential as we continue expanding our global footprint and evolving the brand’s unique retail and entertainment experiences.”
Founded in 1997, Build-A-Bear operates an interactive retail concept where customers create personalized stuffed animals in stores. The brand now has more than 650 company-owned, partner-operated and franchise locations across over 30 countries, along with a growing e-commerce and licensing business.
Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding globally and has indicated ambitions to open dozens of new locations in 2026, further strengthening its international franchise and partner network.
