Reser's Fine Foods

A History Built on Family, Fun, Trust and Traditions

From making potato salad in a rural farmhouse kitchen to over 4,000 employees across North America, Reser’s Fine Foods is still a family business—guided by the same goals and values that have nurtured our growth for over seventy years.

1950

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.

1951

Entering Retail

Mildred sells her potato salad to Safeway stores throughout Oregon.

1952

Time to Move

Business moves from the farmhouse kitchen to its 1st plant in Cornelius, Oregon—a small 20×50 building.

1960

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.

1961

Going Public

In 1961, Al takes the company public to raise money for a new production plant.

1961

Expansion

Reser’s expands to the Allen Avenue Facility in Portland, OR (35,000 square feet).

1962

Early Growth

Reser’s increases its sales of Direct Store Delivery items and expands its Route Distribution System.

1968

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.

1973

Product Line Expansion

Lines include salads, sausages, tortillas, stuffing, and pudding made at the Allen Avenue facility in Beaverton, OR.

1976

Still Growing

Route and distribution network expansions continue throughout the Northwest.

1978

New Facility

Jenkins Salad Manufacturing Facility and Distribution Center (55,000 sq. ft.) is completed in Beaverton, OR.

1986

Back to the Family

In 1986, Al proudly takes Reser’s back as a privately held family business.

1987

Mark Joins the Team

In 1987, Mark Reser joins brothers Marty and Mike as a full-time employee.

1991

New Facility in Midwest

Salad Plant opens in Topeka, KS.

1992

Change is Good

Reser’s expands its sales structure, focusing on Direct Store Delivery and national account partnerships.

1995

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.

1996

New Brand and Acquisition

Reser’s acquires La Siesta Foods, a Burrito and Tortilla Facility in Topeka, KS.

1998

New Facility in Eastern WA

Potato Plant opens in Pasco, WA.

2000

Reason to Celebrate

Reser’s celebrates its 50th anniversary with continued innovation and investment of resources into equipment, facilities, employees, and operations.

2000

New Brand and Acquisition

Reser’s acquires Stonemill Kitchens.

2001

New Facility in Southeast

Salad Facility opens in Halifax, NC.

2004

Continued Acquisitions

Reser’s acquires Don Pancho Authentic Mexican Foods in Salem, OR.

2006

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.

2006

Facility Openings and Expansions

Deer Creek Potato Facility opens in Topeka, KS.

2009

Four Generations

The first Reser grandchild begins working at Reser’s, marking the 4th generation of the family business.

2009

Making Room for Growth

Corporate Office, Jenkins Facility and R&D expand.

2010

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.

2010

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.

2011

Expansion and Growth with New Facilities

Tortilla Facility opens in Halifax, NC.

2012

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.

2012

Expansion and Growth

Distribution Center opens in Topeka, KS.

2016

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.

2016

Expansion and Growth with New Facilities

Century Salad Plant opens in Hillsboro, OR.

2018

Expansion and Growth with New Facilities

Crossroads Salad Plant opens in Topeka, KS.

2019

Continued Expansion and Growth

Fresh Creative Foods Distribution Center opens in Vista, CA, and Baked Sides Facility opens in Topeka, KS.

2022

New Facility and Growth

New Capitol Plant opens in Pasco, WA.

Pasco, WA Capitol Plant
2024

Continued Acquisitions

Reser’s acquires St. Clair Foods, Inc in Memphis, TN.

2024 and Beyond

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.