TastyKake was born in Pittsburgh but moved shortly after to Philly. The company did $300,000 in sales its 1st year selling waxed paper-wrapped cakes for 10 cents each. In 1917, chocolate juniors were introduced & 1927 saw the 1st krimpets.
Tastypies came along in the early 30s that targeted school & work lunch boxes. In 1931, Tandytakes made their 1st appearance & were later called KandyKakes. They became the company's most popular product. During WW2 TastyKake sent thousands of tandytakes & krimpets oversees to our fighting troops.
In 1961, TastyKake went public & by 1965 sales doubled to $40 million. During the '60s, TastyKake bought out other interests including a Pa. potato chip company & Laramie Toy Company. Some ventures worked & others didn't. Pictured below: a TastyKake potato chip can. Their chips were called Tasty Flake. In 1985, TastyKake introduced donuts.
TastyKake began to struggle after 2001. Changing demographics, increased competition, school & work lunch boxes being replaced with cafeterias--all took a heavy toll on TastyKake. In 2011, the company was on the verge of insolvency before being rescued by Georgia-based Flower Foods for $34 million.
Growing up, you could find TastyKakes in just about every corner "mom & pop" store throughout the coal region. I don't recall their potato chips (Charles Chips cornered the market around here). Tandytakes, jelly krimpets, & chocolate cupcakes were my favorites growing up. Recently, I discovered "snowballs" & have taken a liking to them. I also remember TastyKake being supportive of Philly sports teams like the Phillies & Flyers. By the way, no one seems to know why "Kake" in TastyKake is spelled with a "K".
TastyKake will never beat local bakeries like Wenzel's in Tamaqua & Lansford or Mauch Chunk Baking Company in Jim Thorpe (I sure you can name many more). But TastyKake will always be a coal region favorite that we all grew up with. Happy 100th Birthday TastyKake!
Got a TastyKake memory & a favorite product? Please COMMENT below & thank you for SHARING this post with your friends.
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