Franz Bakery

In Oregon, you'll find Franz bread everywhere, whether it's your favorite restaurant, fast food chain, or your grocery store. I have several memories of going to the Salem outlet store with my dad and browsing the shelves for deals. We'd often leave with several bags of bread, and occasionally hot dog or hamburger buns. Some of my favorite features of Franz bread are their regional names for each of their varieties. This week I've been eating turkey or roast beef sandwiches on their Big Horn Valley organic bread.

Being founded in Oregon

Franz Bakery's story began when two brothers, who were also Austrian immigrants, left their uncle's United States Bakery in Portland to start their own bakery in 1897. Their new bakery was so successful that they bought their uncle's bakery, but kept Franz as the band name.

Being based in Oregon

  The Franz brothers built a bakery on NE 11th & Flanders in Portland, that is still operated by the company today. Franz Bakery is the largest bakery in Oregon, and one of the biggest on the West Coast.


Giving back to Oregon

Franz supports several food banks and shelters, in addition colleges and universities. They also sponsor the City of Hope walk in Portland and Seattle each year, as well as the Ronald McDonald House.


Number of Oregon Employees

 Franz's newest bakery in Springfield, OR has a total of 191 employees. Their corporate headquarters in Portland has 2,300 employees. This company also employs workers in their bakery outlet stores as well as truck drivers.

Number of locations in Oregon

According to their website: "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." Franz has bakeries in McMinnville, Springfield, and Portland. The Portland location offers tours during the school year as long as parties schedule them well in advance.
You can purchase Franz directly from their 20 factory outlet stores in Portland, Aloha, Tigard, Salem,  Albany, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Medford, Klammath Falls, Redmond, Bend, The Dalles, Pendelton,   Astoria, Tillamook, Newport, and Coos Bay.

Using Oregonian Ingredients
Franz's website claims most of their ingredients come from the Northwest. It's probably safe to assume that at least some of those ingredients are harvested in Oregon.  


Final Score: 5.5 out 5 stars*

Most information gathered from: http://franzbakery.com/about-franz Additional information provided by http://www.hoovers.com

*Companies that mention using Oregonian resources or ingredients are given extra stars.

Roth's Fresh Markets

Those in the Salem, Keizer, and McMinville know Roth's like a friend. Orville Roth's stores often sponsor music programs and other community events. My marching band in high school could count on Roth's to host our fireworks stand in their parking lot, and to help us sort bottles in our can drives. Roth's also has a reputation for offering its customers locally-grown, organic produce. Some organic farmers at my church were able to market their produce and herbs through a Roth's store.

Being founded in Oregon

Hermann C. Jochimsen and Orville N. Roth opened their first grocery store on August 5th, 1962 in Silverton, Oregon.

Being based in Oregon

Owned by Mr. Roth's son, the headquarters of Roth's Fresh Markets is found in Salem, OR.

Giving back to Oregon

Roth's is known for financially supporting a basket full of programs at area high schools. The Special Olympics also recieves support from Roth's, as does the Marion-Polk Foodshare in annual can drives.


Number of Oregon Employees

Roth's has over 800 employees in the state of Oregon, 300 of which are high school students.  Some Roth's employees receive benefits including 401(K)s, medical insurance, life insurance, as well as paid vacations.

Number of stores in Oregon

Roth's has 10 grocery stores in the Mid-Willamette Valley, including stores in Salem-Keizer, Silverton, and McMinnville.



Final Score: 5 out 5 stars



Most information gathered from:  http://roths.com/contact.php. Additional information provided by former Keizer residents.