Ball Park Franks facts for kids
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| Owner | Tyson Foods |
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| Country | United States |
| Introduced | 1958 |
| Related brands | Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Kahn's, Bryan |
| Previous owners | Hygrade Food Products |
| Website | https://www.ballparkbrand.com/ |
Ball Park Franks is a very popular American brand of hot dogs and hamburger buns. They are made by Tyson Foods. These hot dogs became famous in 1958, thanks to the Detroit Tigers baseball team! Ball Park Franks are one of the most eaten hot dogs in America. In 2022, they were the top-selling refrigerated hot dog, making more sales than any other brand.
Contents
The Story of Ball Park Franks
The story of Ball Park Franks began in 1958. The Detroit Tigers, a famous baseball team, were not happy with the hot dogs sold at their stadium. They wanted better ones!
How Ball Park Franks Were Created
In 1959, a company called Hygrade Food Products, located in Livonia, Michigan, won a special competition. They became the only company allowed to supply hot dogs to the Tigers and their stadium, Tiger Stadium.
A Hygrade employee named Gus Hauff created the secret recipe for the Ball Park Frank in 1958. To this day, the exact recipe is still a secret!
Naming the Famous Hot Dog
Hygrade also held a contest for its employees. They wanted to find the best name for their new stadium hot dogs. A saleswoman named Mary Ann Kurk won the contest. She came up with the name "Ball Park Franks."
After becoming the official hot dog of the Detroit Tigers, Ball Park Franks started being sold in stores for everyone to enjoy.
A Top-Ranked Hot Dog
In 1985, a schoolteacher named Bob Wood visited every major league baseball park. He rated the hot dogs at each one. In his book, Dodger Dogs to Fenway Franks: and All the Wieners in Between, Wood ranked the Ball Park Frank as number one! He said it was a "dream fulfilled" to eat one at a baseball park.
New Varieties and Ownership Changes
In 2008, Ball Park added many new types of hot dogs. This was probably because more people in the United States wanted healthier food options.
Over the years, the company that owns Ball Park Franks has changed. Sara Lee bought Hygrade in 1989. Later, in 2014, Tyson Foods bought Hillshire Brands (which used to be Sara Lee Corporation). This meant Tyson Foods then owned the Ball Park Franks brand.
Different Kinds of Ball Park Franks
Ball Park Franks come in several different kinds for you to try:
- Prime Beef Franks
- Angus Beef Franks
- Beef Franks
- Classic Franks
- Turkey Franks
