Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is an American experiential specialty retailer headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The company's core business revolves around providing an interactive "make-your-own" stuffed animal experience, allowing guests to personalize teddy bears and other plush characters. Its mission is "to add a little more heart to life" by creating memorable, hands-on experiences for customers of all ages.

The company's offerings include a wide assortment of customizable stuffed animals, along with various outfits, accessories, sounds, and scents that guests can choose to personalize their creations. Beyond its in-store interactive experience, Build-A-Bear Workshop also engages in e-commerce, operates party programs for various occasions, and leverages its intellectual property through licensing agreements and its subsidiary, Build-A-Bear Entertainment. The brand caters to a multi-generational audience, including children, families, teens, adults, collectors, and gift-givers.

In terms of leadership, Chris Hurt was appointed CEO in March 2026, succeeding Sharon Price John, who will transition responsibilities and remain on the board. Build-A-Bear Workshop maintains a strong market position as a leading experiential retailer, expanding its global footprint with hundreds of locations across company-owned, partner-operated, and franchised models, including stores in malls, tourist destinations, and cruise ships. The company recently issued a voluntary recall in April 2026 for its "Heartwarming Hugs Bears" due to a potential choking hazard related to a detachable zipper slider.