The McKee story began during the height of the Great Depression when young entrepreneur O.D. McKee began selling 5¢ snack cakes from the back of his 1928 Whippet. In 1934, he and his wife, Ruth, bought a small, failing bakery, using the family car as collateral. Money was so tight they had to put up a sheet near the back of the bakery for the family's living quarters.
Despite years of great adversity, O.D. and Ruth's rare determination finally began to pay off in 1960 when they began selling the first family pack of baked goods, naming them after their granddaughter, Debbie. Around this time, the company finally began making a steady profit.
The bakery continued to grow but remained a family bakery. O.D. and Ruth’s sons, Ellsworth and Jack, eventually took leadership positions, and today Ellsworth and Jack's children hold leadership roles. They are beginning to introduce the 4th generation of the McKee family to the business.
McKee Foods stands as a living legacy of a young couple with a big dream. O.D. and Ruth shared a strong commitment to family values that remains our company's foundation today.
FAQs
Debbie McKee-Fowler is the granddaughter of the brand's founder O.D. McKee. O.D. and his wife, Ruth, founded McKee Foods in 1934. O.D. had spent some time selling Virginia Dare cakes out of his car and found he could successfully support his growing family through door-to-door sweets.
What is the Little Debbie snacks slogan? ›
The companies slogan is “Little Debbie Has A Snack For You”, and as if that wasn't weird enough, they even have trucks that feature this slogan.
What snacks are Little Debbie discontinued? ›
Goodbye, Little Debbie: Snack cakes to gradually disappear from commissary shelves. Get them while you can because soon there will be no more Zebra Cakes, Swiss Rolls, Nutty Buddies, Fudge Rounds and Oatmeal Creme Pies. When the remaining stock of Little Debbie snack items is gone, it's gone for good.
How old is the Little Debbie mascot? ›
O.D. thought his granddaughter, Debbie, would be the perfect face for his delicious treats, and on August 23, 1960, the brand was born. The first full-color Little Debbie portrait was created in 1960, the same year as the original line art version.
Who is the Little Debbie girl now? ›
Debbie is still involved with the business today! Debbie McKee-Fowler currently holds the position of Executive Vice President and serves on the McKee Foods Board of Directors.
Is Little Debbie a girl or a boy? ›
Little Debbie, whose picture is often featured on products, was a real little girl and the granddaughter of O.D. and Ruth McKee, the founders of McKee Foods, a family bakery.
What is the oldest Little Debbie snack? ›
Oatmeal creme pies were the first Little Debbie snack cake commercially produced by McKee Foods. The snack consists of two soft oatmeal cookies stuffed with fluffy creme filling.
What is the number 1 Little Debbie snack? ›
1. Oatmeal Creme Pies. Little Debbie's Oatmeal Creme Pies are truly the creme de le creme of all of their products.
Why is Little Debbie being recalled? ›
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing pecans was included in packaging that did not reveal the presence of tree nuts.
Why did Canada stop selling Little Debbie? ›
“Our business model is one where we sell to independent wholesalers who then resell to grocery stores and convenience stores. The sole distributor in Canada chose to terminate their business relationship with our brands for reasons that are entirely their own.
The Daily Meal says these products are loaded with "a perfect storm" of saturated fat, sodium and copious amounts of sugar. A serving size of Little Debbie Mini Powdered Donuts (4 donuts) contains 11 grams of fat, 220 calories, 190 milligrams and 14 grams of sugars.
What brand owns Little Debbie? ›
Little Debbie Vending and Fieldstone Bakery brands were developed by McKee Foods Corporation, a leader in the baking industry for nearly 60 years, best known for the Little Debbie brand snack cakes, with over 1 billion dollars in annual sales.
Who is Little Debbie in real life? ›
Debbie McKee-Fowler is the original inspiration for the Little Debbie logo and is currently the Executive Vice President of McKee Foods, the company created by her grandfather.
Why is it called Little Debbie? ›
Little Debbie products are available in most discount, grocery, and convenience stores, both in boxes and as individually wrapped items. In 1960, company founders O.D. and Ruth McKee decided to name a product after one of their grandchildren, four-year-old Debbie.
Is hostess older than Little Debbie? ›
According to their respective websites, both brands originated in the 1910s (1913 Little Debbie, 1919 Hostess).
Who is the CEO of Little Debbie? ›
In 1960, company founders O.D. and Ruth McKee decided to name a product after one of their grandchildren, four-year-old Debbie. Now Debbie McKee-Fowler serves as Executive Vice-President and serves on the McKee Foods Board of Directors.
Was there ever a real Little Debbie? ›
Today, the McKee Foods corporation is still thriving, and the business is still in the family. The real "Little Debbie," Debra McKee Fowler, now sits as the Executive Vice President of McKee Foods, and runs her eponymous line of products.
Did Little Debbie buy a hostess? ›
McKee Foods, which makes Little Debbie snack cakes, snapped up Drake's Cake, which includes Devil Dogs and Yodels. The rest, including Twinkies and other Hostess cakes, was acquired by Metropoulos & Co.
How old was Little Debbie in the picture? ›
The new logo is still based on the original photograph of McKee Foods Executive Vice President Debbie McKee-Fowler, when she was just three-and-a-half years old.
