Freshpet co-founder and president Scott Morris plans to step back from his roles at the US pet-food group.

Morris will move into an advisory position on 20 October, when the company marks its 20th anniversary. He will remain available to the business for 18 months and will be succeeded as president by Freshpet's COO Nicki Baty.

Morris said in a statement: “I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and proud to leave a great company and great business in the hands of an amazing group of people. The leadership team, employees and partners, who will carry Freshpet forward, are ready to write the next chapter.

“While I am transitioning away from my operating responsibilities at Freshpet, I plan to remain supportive however I can in the years ahead. I look forward to watching Freshpet continue to grow, innovate and make an even bigger impact on pets and the people who love them.”

Baty will remain COO while also serving a company president.

Freshpet said Baty joined the pet-food maker two years ago as part of a “leadership succession plan”. She will continue to report to CEO Billy Cyr and oversee commercial operations and the supply chain.

As part of the transition, Morris’ “innovation responsibilities” will move to a newly created chief innovation officer position.

The Nasdaq-listed company said the succession plan has been “underway for several years” and is timed to coincide with Freshpet’s entry into its “third decade”.

Morris founded Freshpet along with Cathal Walsh and John Phelps in 2006.

Freshpet sells its products in the US, Canada and Europe through grocery and mass stores, digital, pet speciality shops and club retailers, as well as online in the US.

The business has three manufacturing sites and around 1,300 employees worldwide.

In 2025, the company’s net sales totalled $1.1bn, up 13% from the previous year.

It reported net income of $139.1m, compared to $46.9m a year earlier.