A Small Business is Born
Grandma Mildred begins making potato salad in her kitchen in Cornelius, Oregon, under the brand name of Mrs. Reser’s Salads.
Entering Retail
Mildred sells her potato salad to Safeway stores throughout Oregon.
Time to Move
Business moves from the farmhouse kitchen to its 1st plant in Cornelius, Oregon—a small 20×50 building.
A New Generation
Mildred names her son, Al, as president. Al goes on to lead the company through over 40 years of growth and Mrs. Reser’s Salads become Reser’s Fine Foods.
Going Public
In 1961, Al takes the company public to raise money for a new production plant.
Expansion
Reser’s expands to the Allen Avenue Facility in Portland, OR (35,000 square feet).
Early Growth
Reser’s increases its sales of Direct Store Delivery items and expands its Route Distribution System.
A Need to Innovate
Al identifies a major challenge—Reser’s is too heavily dependent on summer sales and needs more innovation. Reser’s acquires Sausage Kitchen and expands their product line to address this challenge.
Product Line Expansion
Lines include salads, sausages, tortillas, stuffing, and pudding made at the Allen Avenue facility in Beaverton, OR.
Still Growing
Route and distribution network expansions continue throughout the Northwest.
New Facility
Jenkins Salad Manufacturing Facility and Distribution Center (55,000 sq. ft.) is completed in Beaverton, OR.
Back to the Family
In 1986, Al proudly takes Reser’s back as a privately held family business.
Mark Joins the Team
In 1987, Mark Reser joins brothers Marty and Mike as a full-time employee.
New Facility in Midwest
Salad Plant opens in Topeka, KS.
Change is Good
Reser’s expands its sales structure, focusing on Direct Store Delivery and national account partnerships.
More Innovation and Growth
Reser’s opens a Potato Facility in Topeka, Kansas and introduces fall-focused cut potatoes (rounds, hash browns, sliced, diced, etc.) and mashed potatoes.
New Brand and Acquisition
Reser’s acquires La Siesta Foods, a Burrito and Tortilla Facility in Topeka, KS.
New Facility in Eastern WA
Potato Plant opens in Pasco, WA.
Reason to Celebrate
Reser’s celebrates its 50th anniversary with continued innovation and investment of resources into equipment, facilities, employees, and operations.
New Brand and Acquisition
Reser’s acquires Stonemill Kitchens.
New Facility in Southeast
Salad Facility opens in Halifax, NC.
Continued Acquisitions
Reser’s acquires Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods in Salem, OR.
Passing the Torch
Al Reser steps down from the position as President and passes the title to his son, Mark Reser. Al remains Chairman of the Board.
Facility Openings and Expansions
Deer Creek Potato Facility opens in Topeka, KS.
Four Generations
The first Reser grandchild begins working at Reser’s, marking the 4th generation of the family business.
Making Room for Growth
Corporate Office, Jenkins Facility and R&D expand.
Loss of a Leader
April 13, 2010, Al Reser passes away peacefully in his sleep. His generosity, commitment, and values will forever be remembered at Reser’s.
No Small Potatoes
Al Reser’s autobiography, No Small Potatoes, is released. The book gives insight to Al’s life from start to finish, and tells the story of how Reser’s started from a family potato salad recipe and grew into one of the largest refrigerated foods companies in the United States.
Expansion and Growth with New Facilities
Tortilla Facility opens in Halifax, NC.
A Billion Dollar Milestone
With added investments in expanding current facilities, innovative capital equipment to support new categories, and acquisitions of Vaughan Foods Inc., Chef Solutions Inc., and Orval Kent Food Company, LLC, Reser’s reaches $1 billion in sales.
Expansion and Growth
Distribution Center opens in Topeka, KS.
Reser’s Racing
Reser’s deepens relationship with NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing with sponsorship of the No. 20 Toyota Camry driven by Erik Jones.
Expansion and Growth with New Facilities
Century Salad Plant opens in Hillsboro, OR.
Expansion and Growth with New Facilities
Crossroads Salad Plant opens in Topeka, KS.
Continued Expansion and Growth
Fresh Creative Foods Distribution Center opens in Vista, CA, and Baked Sides Facility opens in Topeka, KS.
New Facility and Growth
New Capitol Plant opens in Pasco, WA.
Continued Acquisitions
Reser’s acquires St. Clair Foods, Inc in Memphis, TN.
Carrying On Our Traditions
Al Reser’s philosophy was always that customers are the reason we are here. The cornerstones of his philosophy rested (never lightly) on customer service, food safety, consistency and value. We continue to live by this policy, providing the highest quality service and food to the people and communities we serve—as a company, and as a family.
