One Big Idea
The Schwan Food Company was born out of necessity in southwest Minnesota. Government dairy-product price controls in the early 1950s forced the late Marvin Schwan to find a new way to sell ice cream. So, on March 18, 1952, he loaded 14 gallons of ice cream into a beat-up 1946 Dodge panel van and sold his product to rural Minnesota residents. The idea worked, the route delivery system was born, and The Schwan Food Company began its dramatic history of rapid growth.

Branching Out
Frozen pizza was added to delivery trucks in 1966, and in 1970, Marvin Schwan placed a tiny ad in the Wall Street Journal: "Wanted — Frozen Pizza Manufacturer." He acquired a small factory in Salina, Kansas, and Tony’s® pizza became part of the company. With the purchase of the Salina plant, Schwan soon began selling pizza directly to retailers and brought pizza to schools in 1975. Red Baron® and Freschetta® pizzas have since joined Tony’s® pizza as popular choices in grocery-store freezers.

50 Countries and Still Growing
Today, Schwan's Consumer Brands North America, Inc. provides great frozen foods to retail grocery stores in the United States and more than 50 other countries. Schwan's Global Food Service, Inc. markets frozen desserts such as Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® pies through its Schwan’s Food Service, Inc. division. The business also serves as a leading supplier to schools, hospitals, universities, chain restaurants and major entertainment venues. Schwan also has major manufacturing operations in seven states, France and Canada.

Seizing Tomorrow
The Schwan Food Company's growth from a local dairy in Minnesota to a frozen-food industry leader with global reach is testimony to what determination, integrity, hard work, enthusiasm and teamwork can accomplish. You will be amazed by the creativity, perseverance, fortitude and devotion that built the company — renowned for its resilience, innovation and customer service.

Help Schwan write the next chapter to this amazing story by joining this winning team.