Stamford Advocate

Preferred Brands keeps Stamford flavor

By: Richard Lee

A global prepared-foods company is staying in Stamford, moving its headquarters from a West Broad Street building to the Landmark Square complex.

Stamford-based Preferred Brands International LLC, parent of Tasty Bite, an international manufacturer Indian and Pan-Asian convenience specialty foods, is moving its headquarters from 9 W. Broad St. to a 5,765-square-foot space at 3 Landmark Square.

The new space will house 20 local staff supporting 130 other employees in the United States, India and Australia.

Founded in 1995, Preferred Brands was searching for a well-located building with top-flight amenities after its lease at the West Broad Street property expired, said Ashok Vasudevan, chief executive officer of Preferred Brands.

"The building required serious help, and we needed more space. We also wanted to have shuttle service to the train station," said Vasudevan, crediting Sandy Goldstein, president of the Downtown Special Services District, for suggesting that he consider Landmark Square.

The DSSD makes it home at the complex, Goldstein said, and is pleased with its space.

"I could have suggested four or five other buildings," said Goldstein, who met Vasudevan at his office to familiarize herself with his business. "I had never heard of Tasty Bite, but we had lunch there, and I love his brand. I love that his company decided to stay in Stamford."

Preferred Brands plans to add five people with experience in logistics, marketing, sales, distribution and social media within the next 90 days.

The Stamford office of Choyce Peterson represented the company in its search.

Choyce Peterson showed Vasudevan space in 10 buildings, but he liked Landmark Square, a seven-building office and retail complex with a fitness center, cafeteria and building conference room. Other amenities include valet parking, a concierge, private shuttle to the train station and direct connection to the Stamford Town Center mall.

"Our overriding concern always involves satisfying our clients by delivering bottom-line results," said John Hannigan, principal of Choyce Peterson. "We understand the unique needs of finding a new corporate headquarters."

Preferred Brands signed a seven-year lease with Landmark Square owner SL Green Realty Corp.