The story of United States Bakery and Franz Family Bakeries began in 1897. In 1906 the two brothers branched out and purchased a small bakery named the Ann Arbor Bakery. In less than two years, their bakery became quite successful and allowed them to strike a deal with their uncle to purchase United States Bakery. They kept United States Bakery as their corporate name and the bakery became known as Franz Bakery.

The company made a number of important acquisitions. The company owns a chain of regional bakeries and bakery thrift stores located across the Northwest operating under the names Franz, Gai's, Williams', Big Loaf, Snyder's, and Smith Cookie Company. United States Bakery sells a variety of breads, pastries, and cookies to supermarkets, restaurants, and food service operators. In fact, Franz supplies baked goods to virtually all of the fast food restaurants, 80 percent of restaurants and nearly all the area grocers in the Northwest. Products are marketed under the individual bakeries' names, as well as brands such as Bay City, Seattle International, McKenzie Farms, Svenhard's, and Aunt Katie’s.

In recent years, Franz revamped its traditional line of breads to include products such as Crater Lake whole grain oat nut bread and NW Harvest 100% whole wheat bread. The bakery also added a popular new line of 100% whole wheat bread, buns, bagels and English muffins.

Today United States Bakery/Franz Family Bakeries is the largest family-owned independent bakery on the West Coast. The company serves all of Oregon and Washington as well as northern California and parts of Idaho, Montana and Alaska.

www.usbakery.com