Chattanooga’s McKee Foods Hits 50 Years of Sweet Success!
What a way to celebrate a milestone! Chattanooga is buzzing this month as McKee Baking Company, known today as the beloved McKee Foods, proudly marks its 50th anniversary. Can you believe it? This iconic company, famous for its Little Debbie snack cakes, has been making sweet treats for 50 years—and it’s been one incredible journey!
A Bit of History
Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane. In November 1984, O.D. McKee and his family had much to celebrate. They started their cookie-making business back in 1934 during the tough times of the Great Depression, right in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Fast forward to today, and McKee Foods has transformed into the nation’s largest independent baker of snack cakes and soft cookies, and the success just keeps rising!
According to a delightful piece from the past, the success story has always been about family and creativity. It all started with O.D. and his wife Ruth, who had a sweet dream and an even sweeter idea. They launched their bakery and innovated the well-loved Little Debbie Family Packs. Ellsworth McKee, son of the founders, even shared, “Our competitors just didn’t believe we could make any money with our family packs.” But who would have guessed that these packs would explode in popularity?
Expansion and Growth
So, how did McKee Foods grow from a small city bakery to a major player in the snack food industry? After their initial success in Chattanooga, they made a move to Charlotte, North Carolina, before returning to the Scenic City. In the 1960s and 1980s, the company further expanded its operations to Collegedale, Arkansas, and Virginia. Today, McKee Foods is also known for other brands like Sunbelt Bakery, Drake’s Cakes, and Fieldstone Bakery.
Their reach is astonishing! Just earlier this year, it was reported that American shoppers purchase more than 2,000 Little Debbie products per minute—can you imagine? This results in over $1.8 billion in sales in 2023 alone! Now that’s some serious dough!
Community Driven
Throughout the years, one thing has remained constant—McKee Foods’ commitment to its community and workers. They have always prided themselves on being a family-owned operation, focusing on quality and care. The McKee family values are instilled in every product that rolls off the line, and the community proudly supports this local treasure.
Looking Forward
With their eyes set on the future, McKee Foods is not slowing down anytime soon. Recently, they announced plans for even more expansion, including new production capabilities in Collegedale, ensuring that these delicious snacks can reach even more fans across the nation.
So, whether you are munching on a classic Swiss Cake Roll or savoring a fruity oatmeal cream pie, you can feel good knowing that you’re enjoying a home-grown product with a rich history. Think of it next time you open a pack—those sweet treat moments really started with O.D. and Ruth McKee’s bold vision!
Here’s to many more years of sweet success! Cheers to McKee Foods for celebrating 50 years of making our snack times delightful!
