COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 311812

Commercial Bakeries (pt)

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

70companies1886–1994founding years70still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedGonnella Baking Company
1886
FoundedIAWS Group plc
1897
FoundedDr. August Oetker KG
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedKellogg Company
1906
FoundedAwrey Bakeries, Inc.
1910
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedFlowers Industries, Inc.
1919
FoundedThe Earthgrains Company
1927
FoundedSeaboard Corporation
1928
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedStrauss-Elite Group
1934
FoundedSara Lee Corporation
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedYamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.
1948
FoundedFoodarama Supermarkets, Inc.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedGroupe Danone
1966
FoundedGruma, S.A. de C.V.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedNatural Ovens Bakery, Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedMatt Prentice Restaurant Group
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedZingerman's Community of Businesses
1982
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedGoodman Fielder Ltd.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Gonnella Baking Company →
Active · founded 1886
1970s:Gonnella enters the frozen dough market.
Gonnella Baking Company →
Active · founded 1886
1970s:Gonnella enters the frozen dough market.
IAWS Group plc →
Active · founded 1897 · Ireland
From its late 19th-century origins in Ireland's cooperative movement, IAWS Group plc has grown into a leading food…
IAWS Group plc →
Active · founded 1897 · Ireland
From its late 19th-century origins in Ireland's cooperative movement, IAWS Group plc has grown into a leading food…
Ranks Hovis McDougall Limited →
Active · founded 1899 · United Kingdom
Ranks Hovis McDougall Limited (RHM) is the food division of Tomkins PLC, which acquired the company (then known as…
Ranks Hovis McDougall Limited →
Active · founded 1899 · United Kingdom
Ranks Hovis McDougall Limited (RHM) is the food division of Tomkins PLC, which acquired the company (then known as…
Dr. August Oetker KG →
Active · founded 1902 · Germany
Dr.
Dr. August Oetker KG →
Active · founded 1902 · Germany
Dr.
Furr's Supermarkets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1904
Furr's Supermarkets, Inc.
Furr's Supermarkets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1904
Furr's Supermarkets, Inc.
Kellogg Company →
Active · founded 1906
Will Keith Kellogg once estimated that 42 cereal companies were launched in the breakfast-food boom during the early…
Kellogg Company →
Active · founded 1906
Will Keith Kellogg once estimated that 42 cereal companies were launched in the breakfast-food boom during the early…
Schwebel Baking Company →
Active · founded 1906
Schwebel Baking Company is a large regional bakery based in Youngstown, Ohio.
Schwebel Baking Company →
Active · founded 1906
Schwebel Baking Company is a large regional bakery based in Youngstown, Ohio.
Awrey Bakeries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1910
1920s:Firm, known as Awrey & Sons, expands to 32 stores.
Awrey Bakeries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1910
1920s:Firm, known as Awrey & Sons, expands to 32 stores.
Tasty Baking Company →
Active · founded 1914
Based in Philadelphia, Tasty Baking Company is one of the country's oldest and largest independent baking companies.
Tasty Baking Company →
Active · founded 1914
Based in Philadelphia, Tasty Baking Company is one of the country's oldest and largest independent baking companies.
Flowers Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1919
Flowers Industries, Inc.
Flowers Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1919
Flowers Industries, Inc.
Campbell Soup Company →
Active · founded 1922
Campbell Soup Company is the number one maker of soups in the world, holds the top position in that category in Europe,…
Campbell Soup Company →
Active · founded 1922
Campbell Soup Company is the number one maker of soups in the world, holds the top position in that category in Europe,…
The Earthgrains Company →
Active · founded 1927
The Earthgrains Company is the second largest bakery in the United States, supplying a variety of breads, buns, rolls,…
The Earthgrains Company →
Active · founded 1927
The Earthgrains Company is the second largest bakery in the United States, supplying a variety of breads, buns, rolls,…
George Weston Limited →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
George Weston Limited is a major Canadian food processor and distributor, with a number of operations in the United…
George Weston Limited →
Active · founded 1928 · Canada
George Weston Limited is a major Canadian food processor and distributor, with a number of operations in the United…
Seaboard Corporation →
Active · founded 1928
1960s-70s:Company builds flour mills in eastern and southeastern United States.
Seaboard Corporation →
Active · founded 1928
1960s-70s:Company builds flour mills in eastern and southeastern United States.
Interstate Bakeries Corporation →
Active · founded 1930
Interstate Bakeries Corporation is the largest independent baker in the United States, producing breads and cakes in…
Interstate Bakeries Corporation →
Active · founded 1930
Interstate Bakeries Corporation is the largest independent baker in the United States, producing breads and cakes in…
Strauss-Elite Group →
Active · founded 1934 · Israel
Merging two of Israel's oldest and largest food companies in 2004, the Strauss-Elite Group has become that country's…
Strauss-Elite Group →
Active · founded 1934 · Israel
Merging two of Israel's oldest and largest food companies in 2004, the Strauss-Elite Group has become that country's…
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1937
Late 1950s:There are 29 Krispy Kreme shops in 12 states.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1937
Late 1950s:There are 29 Krispy Kreme shops in 12 states.
Sara Lee Corporation →
Active · founded 1939
Sara Lee Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of brand-name consumer packaged goods within three…
Sara Lee Corporation →
Active · founded 1939
Sara Lee Corporation is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of brand-name consumer packaged goods within three…
Cole's Quality Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1943
1940s-50s:Cole expands his product line and opens several more retail outlets.
Cole's Quality Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1943
1940s-50s:Cole expands his product line and opens several more retail outlets.
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1948 · Japan
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1948 · Japan
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.
Northern Foods plc →
Active · founded 1949 · United Kingdom
Northern Foods plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading manufacturers of high-quality fresh foods, supplying the…
Northern Foods plc →
Active · founded 1949 · United Kingdom
Northern Foods plc is one of the United Kingdom's leading manufacturers of high-quality fresh foods, supplying the…
Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1958
Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc.
Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1958
Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc.
Parmalat Finanziaria SpA →
Active · founded 1961 · Italy
Parma, Italy, is not only the home of fine Italian cheese and ham, but also Parmalat Finanziaria SpA, a diversified,…
Parmalat Finanziaria SpA →
Active · founded 1961 · Italy
Parma, Italy, is not only the home of fine Italian cheese and ham, but also Parmalat Finanziaria SpA, a diversified,…
Groupe Danone →
Active · founded 1966 · France
Known until 1994 as BSN Groupe S.A., Groupe Danone is one of the largest food companies in the world.
Groupe Danone →
Active · founded 1966 · France
Known until 1994 as BSN Groupe S.A., Groupe Danone is one of the largest food companies in the world.
Fresh Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
North Carolina-based Fresh Foods, Inc., formerly known as WSMP, Inc., is a holding company for a variety of food…
Fresh Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
North Carolina-based Fresh Foods, Inc., formerly known as WSMP, Inc., is a holding company for a variety of food…
Gruma, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1971 · Mexico
Gruma, S.A.
Gruma, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1971 · Mexico
Gruma, S.A.
Brioche Pasquier S.A. →
Active · founded 1974 · France
France's Brioche Pasquier S.A.
Brioche Pasquier S.A. →
Active · founded 1974 · France
France's Brioche Pasquier S.A.
Natural Ovens Bakery, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Natural Ovens Bakery, Inc.
Natural Ovens Bakery, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Natural Ovens Bakery, Inc.
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc.
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc.
Matt Prentice Restaurant Group →
Active · founded 1980
The Matt Prentice Restaurant Group runs more than a dozen eateries in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, and…
Matt Prentice Restaurant Group →
Active · founded 1980
The Matt Prentice Restaurant Group runs more than a dozen eateries in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, and…
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café →
Active · founded 1982
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café, headquartered in Dallas, where it was founded by Patrick Esquerre in 1982, operates…
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café →
Active · founded 1982
La Madeleine French Bakery & Café, headquartered in Dallas, where it was founded by Patrick Esquerre in 1982, operates…
Zingerman's Community of Businesses →
Active · founded 1982
Zingerman's Community of Businesses encompasses a delicatessen, a full-service restaurant, a catering service, a…
Zingerman's Community of Businesses →
Active · founded 1982
Zingerman's Community of Businesses encompasses a delicatessen, a full-service restaurant, a catering service, a…
Greggs PLC →
Active · founded 1984 · United Kingdom
Greggs PLC is the operator of the largest bakery chain in the United Kingdom, specializing in sandwiches, savories, and…
Greggs PLC →
Active · founded 1984 · United Kingdom
Greggs PLC is the operator of the largest bakery chain in the United Kingdom, specializing in sandwiches, savories, and…
Goodman Fielder Ltd. →
Active · founded 1986 · Australia
Goodman Fielder Ltd.
Goodman Fielder Ltd. →
Active · founded 1986 · Australia
Goodman Fielder Ltd.
Inter Link Foods PLC →
Active · founded 1994 · United Kingdom
Inter Link Foods PLC is the rising star of the British baking industry.
Inter Link Foods PLC →
Active · founded 1994 · United Kingdom
Inter Link Foods PLC is the rising star of the British baking industry.
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