King Arthur Baking facts for kids
Rebranded logo since 2020
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King Arthur Baking retail store, cafe, bakery, and baking school
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| Private, employee-owned benefit corporation | |
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | 1790 |
| Founder | Henry Wood |
| Headquarters |
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United States
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Key people
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Karen Colberg, CEO |
| Products | Flour, baking mixes, cookbooks, baked goods, baking classes |
| Owner | Employee-Owned (since 2004) |
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Number of employees
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365 (as of 2020[update]) |
The King Arthur Baking Company is an American company that sells flour, baking ingredients, and mixes. They also offer cookbooks and delicious baked goods. You can even learn to bake at their special schools in Norwich, Vermont, and Burlington, Washington.
This company started way back in 1790 in Boston, Massachusetts. That makes it the oldest flour company in the United States! Today, King Arthur Baking is owned by its employees. It's also a special kind of company called a "benefit corporation," which means it aims to do good for society and the environment, not just make money.
Contents
History of King Arthur Baking
How the Company Started
The company began in 1790. A man named Henry Wood started it in Boston, Massachusetts. He mainly imported and sold flour from England. His business grew quickly, and he soon had a partner.
Later, in 1870, Benjamin F. Sands took over the company. He changed its name to reflect his ownership. In 1895, the company became Sands, Taylor & Wood Company. This name came from its owners at the time: Orin Sands, Mark Taylor, and George Wood.
The King Arthur Name
In 1896, Sands, Taylor & Wood introduced a new, high-quality flour. George Wood had seen a musical called King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. This show gave him the idea for the name: King Arthur Flour. The new flour was a big hit when it was first shown in Boston.
After Orin Sands passed away in 1917, his son, Frank E. Sands, took charge. The company started selling flour to commercial bakeries. They also sold other food items, like coffee, under the King Arthur name.
Moving to Vermont
In 1978, the company moved its main office from Massachusetts to Norwich, Vermont. At that time, the company was much smaller, with only five employees in 1990.
Brinna Sands, who co-owned the company with her husband, Frank Sands II, had a great idea. She believed King Arthur should do more than just sell flour. She wanted to show people what amazing things they could bake with the flour. This vision led to the creation of the company's bakery and baking school.
Becoming Employee-Owned
In 1996, the company became owned by its employees. It also changed its name to The King Arthur Flour Co., Inc. By 2004, it was 100% employee-owned. This means that employees who work enough hours can become owners of the company.
King Arthur Baking has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Vermont many times. In 2016, it was even named Company of the Year by a national employee ownership association.
In 2016, the company opened a second baking school. This new school is located in Burlington, Washington.
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New Name and Look in 2020
In July 2020, King Arthur Flour changed its name again. It became the King Arthur Baking Company Inc. This new name better shows all the different products and services they offer, not just flour. The company also updated its logo. Instead of a knight, the new logo features a crown made of wheat.
As of 2020, the company had 365 employees.
Baking During the Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, many people spent more time at home. This led to a huge increase in home baking. People started baking bread and other treats as a new hobby. King Arthur Baking noticed that many customers baked to feel happy and calm during stressful times.
The company's flour sales grew a lot in March 2020. Many people were buying flour, yeast, and other baking supplies. This was a time of big and unexpected growth for the company.
Because so many people were baking, King Arthur's baking advice line got very busy. They added more people to help answer questions. The company also created new recipes and online baking lessons. They even launched online baking shows. These shows featured bakers teaching from their homes. Some shows included baking with kids.
What King Arthur Baking Does
Besides selling flour to businesses, King Arthur also sells directly to people like you. They offer baking tools, ingredients, mixes, and cookbooks. You can buy these through their website or at their main store in Norwich, Vermont. They also give baking advice and teach classes.
Retail Store and Building
King Arthur has sold baking supplies directly to customers since the 1990s. They started with a catalog and then added online sales.
In 2000, the company opened a special building in Norwich, Vermont. This building has a bakery, a cafe, a retail store, and a baking school. It's a popular spot for bakers!
Cookbooks and Website
The company has published several cookbooks. One of them, King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion, won a big award for Cookbook of the Year in 2003.
Their website is also a great resource. It has many recipes, baking tips, and online classes.
Baker's Hotline
Since 1993, King Arthur has offered a "Baker's Hotline." This service lets you call or chat online with baking experts. They can help you with any baking questions you have.
Baking Schools
King Arthur offers in-person baking classes. You can take them at their Norwich store or at the Washington State University's Bread Lab in Burlington, Washington. They also have virtual classes you can take from home. These classes are for everyone, from beginners to professional bakers.
Bake for Good Program
The company has a program called "Bake for Good." It teaches students how to bake. It also encourages them to share their baked goods with people in their communities. This helps students learn to give back.
