Röckenwagner Bakery was founded in 1990 as a small adjunct to fine-dining restaurant, Röckenwagner in Santa Monica. Seeking to elevate the quality and variety of baked goods to serve at his restaurants, chef-restaurateur Hans Röckenwagner recruited master bakers and pastry chefs from Europe to create a bespoke line of artisanal, natural breads, rolls and sweets. Before long, diners and neighborhood businesses began special ordering his brioches, scones and pretzel rolls, and the rest, as they say, is history