Franklin Foods history

Founded in 1907 as Azar Nut Company, Mount Franklin Foods, LLC has grown to include Sunrise Confections and Nubu Nut Butter Bites brands, in addition to the Azar Nut Company brand.

The building has been renovated and old structures removed, but the east wing from the 1908 building, which Hildebrandt first rented to make cheese, remains.

1949: Thomas Haggar starts Franklin Food Market on the corner of 3rd Street & Cliff Avenue.

1959: Current store built at 711 N. Cliff Avenue in Sioux Falls.

1976: Fred & Ed Haggar expand the store to its current size.

In 1989, Walter Hildebrandt sold the company to two Vermont entrepreneurs who were huge fans of Direct Set Cream Cheese.

In 1990, the first Bruegger’s flavored cream cheese rolled off the line, offering their customers the consistent quality and unique flavors that became a beloved signature of the Bruegger’s brand and experience.

1991: Ted, the grandson of Thomas, and his wife Glenda take sole ownership of Franklin Food Market.

John Gutknecht took the helm as President and CEO in 1999.

Certified Safe Quality Foods (SQF) 2000 Level 3 – Highest Level Franklin Foods products are produced under strict Safe Quality Foods (SQF) 2000 Level-3 guidelines.

Technological advances in 2003 allowed for the creation of the first-ever yogurt cream cheese.

© 2012 Franklin Food Market • Site by Fused Interactive

In 2018, the parent company of Mount Franklin Foods, LLC acquired Hospitality Mints, LLC, a manufacturer of custom-ordered mints for thousands of restaurants and businesses across the country.

In 2020, Element Food Solutions, LLC, a sister company of Mount Franklin Foods, LLC, began operations further expanding our foodservice capabilities with synergies in the dry-blend ingredients category.