Collegedale and Chattanooga, Tennessee

In 1956, McKee Foods moved from Chattanooga to Collegedale, Tennessee. Once the company launched the Little Debbie® line of snacks in 1960, it wasn't long until it needed additional facilities. It expanded many times for many years and currently Collegedale, Tennessee is home to two bakeries, a Research and Development Center, a Corporate Office building and several other support buildings.

Collegedale and Chattanooga have been home to McKee Foods for more than 80 years. In our Tennessee production facilities and corporate headquarters, we employ more than 3,000 people. As is the case at all of our locations, Tennessee employees are active in the local communities and support the United Way through donations of time and money.
Read more on community involvement at McKee Foods Corporation.

In Collegedale, the Wolftever Creek Greenway trail gives residents a safe place to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. The Greenway includes Imagination Station, a busy playground and picnic area; the Nature Nook, with an amphitheater; a dog park; and a Veterans' Memorial honoring all branches of the military.

Southern Adventist University in Collegedale has played a very important role in our company, and the city's history. The school is where founders O.D. and Ruth McKee met and fell in love, and is the alma mater of some of their children and grandchildren.

Chattanooga, located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range, was home to O.D. and Ruth McKee's earlier bakery before the business moved just over 20 miles to Collegedale.

Downtown Chattanooga is a family-friendly tourist destination. Popular attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium, a waterfront recreation area with museums, parks, and a restored pier, and the Coker Tire Museum.

In addition to the waterfront, Chattanooga is surrounded by a wealth of natural attractions. The nearby Ocoee River was the site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater rafting competition. Nature lovers can enjoy activities such as rock climbing, caving and mountain biking.