Dave's Killer Bread
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food industry |
| Founded | 2005 in Milwaukie, Oregon, United States |
| Founder | Dave Dahl |
| Headquarters | Milwaukie , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada |
Key people | Dave Dahl (founder) |
| Products | Organic whole-grain breads, breakfast breads, English muffins, bagels, buns, organic snack bars, snack bites |
Number of employees | More than 280 (as of 2012) |
| Parent | Flowers Foods |
Dave's Killer Bread is a U.S.-based brand specializing in organic whole-grain baked goods, distinguished by its "Second Chance Employment" program that supports the hiring of people with criminal records.
History
Established in 2005 in Milwaukie, Oregon by businessman Dave Dahl, who developed his baking skills within his family's bakery, the enterprise expanded from a workforce of 30 to more than 280 employees by 2012. The company experienced a 25% increase in retail sales during 2015 and has maintained steady growth since then.
The brand's offerings are USDA-certified organic and carry Non-GMO Project Verification. Their breads incorporate whole grains and seeds such as spelt, sprouted wheat, amaranth, barley, blue cornmeal, and pumpkin seeds. All recipes are free from animal derivatives and synthetic additives.
In 2015, Flowers Foods acquired Dave's Killer Bread for $275 million, reportedly providing Dahl with $33 million from the deal. This acquisition positioned the brand as the largest organic bread producer in North America. Prior to this transaction, the products were stocked in approximately 8,000 retail locations; following the purchase, distribution broadened to over 20,000 outlets throughout the United States and Canada.
Products
Offering 23 different varieties, Dave's Killer Bread holds the position as the top-selling organic sliced bread brand in the United States. The product range includes their original "Killer Bread" loaves as well as thin-sliced options. In addition to their core organic whole grain breads, the company markets breakfast breads, English muffins, bagels, and buns. In 2023, they ventured into the organic snack bar market with an initial lineup of three flavors, which has since expanded to six flavors alongside a collection of snack bites available in six distinct varieties.