Does Buddy Valastro Still Own Carlo's Bakery? Here's What's Changed And What Hasn't

Today, there are countless television competition shows that center on dramatic high-stakes baking, but the genre really got its start thanks to early players like the charismatic baker Buddy Valastro. Buddy first became a household name in the mid-2000s, largely thanks to his TLC show "Cake Boss." Although hyperrealistic cakes have now been elevated to their own art form, Buddy Valastro's extravagant cakes helped birth the phenomenon, with outrageous examples like a giant hero sandwich, a huge bagel, and even an aquarium. And after all that time and his journey to fame, one thing hasn't changed: Valastro still owns Carlo's Bakery.

Buddy started working at Carlo's Bakery when he was only 11 years old, when his father Bartolo "Buddy" Valastro Sr. owned the store. He took over as owner of Carlo's in 1994 after his father suddenly passed away. During his rise to fame in the aughts, he also helped guide the next generation of bakers who learned techniques and tips from him, like the importance of carving cakes conservatively.

While Buddy Valastro was taught to bake by his father, including how to create his favorite lobster tail pastries, he was thrust into the running of Carlo's Bakery at only 17. He had to learn and grow on the job, which he did in spades. Valastro expanded Carlo's Bakery from its original shop in Hoboken, New Jersey, to a whopping 19 stores across the globe. Although the pandemic forced some paring back, today he owns 10 stores as well as a number of cake vending machines.

In addition to owning Carlo's Bakery locations and other restaurant ventures, Valastro continued in his on-air "Cake Boss" role for almost a decade. He took a hiatus in 2017 when his mother passed away, and the show ended its run in 2020. That same year, he suffered a freak accident that severely injured his hand. It's not entirely clear how involved he is in the day-to-day operations of Carlo's Bakery, but this OG professional baker continues to inspire after recovering from multiple hand surgeries and is still baking today. While a lot may have changed in the baking and the broader world since he got his start, Valastro has shown he can weather any storm as he continues to delight fans with his creations and remains the owner of Carlo's Bakery.