O.D. was a visionary, always looking for new and better ways of doing things. New products and new equipment were his areas of expertise. His creative drive and passion for the future made him a risk taker. Fortunately, Ruth’s cautious nature and sound judgment helped keep him grounded. The combination of their personalities created a perfect balance of vision and structure that led to tremendous success.
This photo of O.D. and Ruth McKee, founders of what would eventually become, McKee Foods Corporation, was taken back in the 1930s.
In 1937, the McKees sought expansion by moving the plant to Charlotte, N.C. (Jack's Cookie Company is pictured above on the left.) They returned to Chattanooga in 1952, and in 1957 they moved their business to the small town of Collegedale, TN. (McKee Baking Company is pictured above on the right.) After their manufacturing plant had been expanded 13 times, a second plant was built close by.
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Today, Little Debbie® snacks, America’s number one snack cakes, are manufactured in Collegedale, Tenn., Gentry, Ark., and Stuarts Draft, Va. McKee Foods also has a distribution center in Kingman, Ariz. We also manufacture products under the following brands: Sunbelt Bakery®, Drake’s cakes® and Fieldstone Bakery®.
