The founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill was found dead Saturday with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Company employees and police say the 57-year-old was found inside his Morrisania factory at 39-58 Park Ave.

Hawthorne built the Jamaican beef patty company in 1989 on East Gun Hill Road. Golden Krust produces more than 50 million patties a year for retail stores.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. called Hawthorne a "good friend" and said he would be "sorely missed."