About McKee - McKee Foods

68 Years of Snack Cakes

Since 1934, the company has seen a lot of expansion and change, but the way McKee Foods operates is still based on the principles left by founders O.D. and Ruth McKee which emphasize family values and integrate those values into daily operations.

Our mission is to delight foodservice professionals with snacking solutions for food away from home, by offering high quality bakery-style products with outstanding value, and providing exceptional service through a dedication to doing business with integrity and excellence.

— The McKee Foodservice Team

1934

McKee Corporation is Founded

McKee Foods Corporation was founded in 1934 when O.D. McKee and his wife, Ruth, bought Jack's Cookie Company, a small bakery in Chattanooga, Tenn., and started baking small cakes. O.D. spent the previous year selling 5-cent Virginia Dare cakes from the back seat of his 1928 Whippet car. Selling sweets was how he supported his wife and three small children during the Depression, and he was confident that he could be successful selling sweets again.

This is a photo from the 1990s of O.D. driving a restored 1928 Whippet.
Mid 1930s

Mid-1930s

O.D. was a visionary, always looking for new and better ways of doing things.  New products and new equipment were his areas of expertise. His creative drive and passion for the future made him a  risk taker. Fortunately, Ruth’s cautious nature and sound judgment helped keep him grounded. The combination of their personalities created a perfect balance of vision and structure that led to tremendous success.

1937

1937

In 1937, the McKees sought  expansion by moving the plant to  Charlotte, N.C. (Jack's Cookie Company is pictured above on the left.) They returned to  Chattanooga in 1952, and in 1957  they moved their business to the small town of Collegedale, TN. (McKee Baking Company is pictured above on the right.)  After their manufacturing plant had been expanded 13 times, a second plant was built close by.

Today

Today

O.D. and Ruth’s sons (pictured above on the left) led the company for many years. Both of them continue to serve on the board of directors. Currently, the corporation is managed by four of the founders’ grandchildren (pictured on the right), representing the third generation of the family.

A Timeline of Our Brands

1960
1960
Launched Little Debbie®
1982
1982
Launched Sunbelt Bakery
2007
2007
Launched Fieldstone® Bakery
2014
2014
Acquired Drake's® Cakes
2019
2019
Acquired Prairie City® Bakery

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Our Foodservice Brands

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