Franz Bakery
Franz Bakery has experienced sweet success in McMinnville. Originally Smith Cookie Company producing Archway Cookies, the bakery was one of the first businesses recruited by McMinnville Industrial Promotions back in 1954. Franz Bakery purchased it in 1994.
The 50,000-square foot baking and packaging facility is located on 11 acres on Highway 99, and passers-by are often treated to the delicious aroma of fresh baked cookies. Location is key for Franz because the fewer miles traveled to their Northwest customers means they can provide fresher products than their competitors’ more distant bakeries.
Kim Nisbet, vice president for national sales & cookie operations, said the local labor pool has also been instrumental to the bakery’s long-term success. “We have not moved from our location due to the strong work force we have and the culture that has been created. Our employees enjoy McMinnville and the surrounding communities and are dedicated, loyal workers.
“Our employee pool is excellent,” added Nisbet. “We maintain between 50 and 60 full-time employees. When an individual retires from our company, they tend to do so averaging 25 to 30 years.”
In addition to the labor pool and proximity to customers, Nisbet said Franz Bakery recognizes other advantages of their location. “The business climate is good in McMinnville,” said Nisbet. “We find the city to be well organized and have had good response from both law enforcement and utilities.”
Nisbet, who has been with the company since 1989, said the McMinnville plant has the capacity to produce 10,000 packages of cookies in 14 hours, and the entire floor is cleared each week to ensure the product arrives fresh at the markets … sweet!