The story of J&J Snack Foods Corp.
Little did he know it at the time, but when Gerald B. Shreiber raised his hand and purchased the ailing J&J Pretzel Company at a court auction, he set in motion events that would yield a publicly traded snack food empire. Fast-forward almost 50 years, and what started with a humble facility and eight employees has grown into a family of 4,200 strong with locations across the country and products in every supermarket nationwide.
As a leader and innovator in the snack food industry, J&J Snack Foods provides nutritious and affordable branded-niche snack foods to foodservice and retail supermarket outlets across the U.S. Its products include such icons as SUPERPRETZEL and ICEE, fan favorites like Luigi’s Italian Ice, The Funnel Cake Factory Funnel Cakes, and Tio Pepe’s Churros, as well as a host of other products spanning the baked goods, frozen beverage and frozen novelties categories.
Leadership
Dan Fachner
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Plunk
Chief Financial Officer
Lynwood Mallard
Chief Marketing Officer
Board of Directors
Gerald B. Shreiber
Chairman of the Board, J&J Snack Foods Corp.
Sidney R. Brown
Chief Executive Officer, NFI Industries
Peter G. Stanley
Chairman of the Board, Emerging Growth Equities, Ltd.
Vincent A. Melchiorre
Senior Vice President, Bimbo Bakeries USA
Marjorie Shreiber Roshkoff

In the year
1971
Gerald B. Shreiber raises his hand in court and purchases the assets of J&J Pretzel Co. at a bankruptcy auction for $72,100.
J&J Snack Foods Corp. is established in Pennsauken, New Jersey. At the time, the company has eight employees and sales of $400,000.
Next year
In the year
1974
Sales break the $1 million mark.
J&J Snack Foods introduces animated carousel display cases for soft pretzels.
Next yearIn the year
1975
Sales break the $2 million mark.
The Pennsauken plant is expanded, and production capacity is doubled.
Next yearIn the year
1980-1981
J&J Snack Foods sets the donut straight! Churro product rights and assets are acquired from a subsidiary of Rapid American Corp., giving birth to Tio Pepe’s® Churros.
Next year
In the year
1982
Doin’ the twist! Exclusive license rights for the manufacture and sale of AMF Pretzel Twister Machines are acquired, and manufacturing expertise is enhanced.
Next yearIn the year
1984
Sales top $15 million.
The Super Juice Fruit Juice Bar product line is introduced, adding a major product line to J&J Snack Foods’ line-up.
Next yearIn the year
1985-1986
J&J Snack Foods completes its biggest year to date, with sales soaring over $25 million.
The company completes a successful initial public offering of 600,000 shares. The stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “JJSF.”
J&J Snack Foods expands into the supermarket business, with SUPERPRETZEL Soft Pretzels.
The Dutchie soft pretzel business is acquired.
J&J Snack Foods acquires the assets of Southern Food Products, a specialty cookie and baked goods manufacturer.
J&J Snack Foods relocates its West Coast soft pretzel operations to its facility in Vernon, California.
Super Juice goes for the gold, contracting with Olympic champion Mary Lou Retton to promote Super Juice juice bars.
Next yearIn the year
1987
Sales climb to over $47 million.
J&J Snack Foods completes a successful $20 million convertible debenture offering.
Hello, ICEE — J&J Snack Foods adds the frozen carbonated beverages to its ever-growing line-up of niche product offerings by acquiring controlling interest in ICEE-USA, an AMEX-listed company.
J&J Snack Foods acquires the Frostar line of frozen novelties from Schwan’s.
J&J Snack Foods holds its first annual shareholders’ meeting. Chairman Gerald B. Shreiber announces a $100 million sales goal by 1992.
Next yearIn the year
1988
J&J Snack Foods is recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the 200 “Best Small Companies in America.”
Acquisitions continue. Trotter Soft Pretzel Co., maker of Mr. Twister Soft Pretzels; Western Syrup; American Snack Foods, maker of Hot Knots Soft Pretzels; and Mia Products Co., manufacturer of Shape Ups Juice Bars join the J&J Snack Foods family.
Next yearIn the year
1989
Sales reach $86 million, marking the 18th straight year of increased sales and earnings.
A new generation of efficient soft pretzel twisters is engineered and developed, with king size soft pretzel production becoming fully automated.
$20 million convertible debentures are converted to common stock two years after issuance.
Luigi’s Real Italian Ice is successfully introduced to supermarkets, chilling out fans everywhere.
Next yearIn the year
1991
J&J Snack Foods celebrates its 20th birthday by breaking the $100 million mark.
Time for some changes — the company logo is updated, and the retail SUPERPRETZEL package is redesigned.
Additional common stock offering raises $29 million.
For the second time, J&J Snack Foods is recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the “200 Best Small Companies in America.”
Next yearIn the year
1994
The J&J Snack Foods family continues to expand, with the acquisitions of The Funnel Cake Factory, a producer of frozen, pre-formed, heat-and-serve funnel cakes, and Bavarian Soft Pretzels, a chain of mall-based retail snack bars in the Northeastern U.S.
Next year
In the year
1995
ICEE-USA expands, with the acquisition of the international rights for ICEE.
Next yearIn the year
1996
Acquisitions continue with Pretzel Gourmet Corp., a hand-rolled soft pretzel specialty retailer, Mazzone Enterprises, Inc., a Midwestern producer of Italian ice and frozen desserts, and Bakers Best Snack Food Corp., maker of Dutch Twist Soft Pretzels.
J&J Snack Foods’ Vernon, California facility expands, with a new frozen warehouse and distribution center.
Next yearIn the year
1997
Sales exceed $220 million.
The acquisitions continue with Pretzels, Inc., maker of Texas Twist Soft Pretzels, and Mama Tish’s International Foods, maker of Mama Tish’s Premium Italian Ices.
Next yearIn the year
1998
Sales reach $262 million.
J&J Snack Foods significantly increases the frozen carbonated beverage business with its biggest acquisition to date: National ICEE Corp. Through its ICEE-USA subsidiary, National ICEE Corp, with annual sales around $40 million, distributes ICEE products in the Eastern U.S.
Mrs. Goodcookie, a line of ready-to-bake cookies, is introduced.
www.jjsnack.com goes online, bringing more deliciousness to cyberspace.
Next yearIn the year
1999
J&J Snack Foods acquires Camden Creek Bakery.
Frozen novelty products are introduced under the ICEE brand.
J&J Snack Foods establishes a long-term partnership with The Minute Maid Company, providing the brand with exclusive rights to manufacture, sell and distribute licensed frozen juice products under the Minute Maid brand name.
Next yearIn the year
2001
Sales reach $328 million.
J&J Snack Foods acquires Uptown Bakeries, a manufacturer of fresh bakery products (bagels, donuts, muffins), sold to Wawa, Inc.
PRETZEL FILLERS, a new and unique line of filled and topped soft pretzels, are introduced to the foodservice marketplace.
Next yearIn the year
2003
SUPERPRETZEL PRETZELFILS Filled Soft Pretzel Sticks, which combine the great taste of SUPERPRETZEL with delicious fillings and toppings, are introduced to the retail supermarket industry.
J&J Snack Foods is recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the “200 Best Small Companies in America” for the third time.
Next yearIn the year
2004
J&J Snack Foods acquires the assets of Country Home Bakers, a manufacturer of bakery products, including cookies, biscuits and frozen dough, to supermarkets and the foodservice industry.
Fastballer Roger “Rocket” Clemens signs on as a spokesperson for SUPERPRETZEL.
J&J Snack Foods is recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the “200 Best Small Companies in America” for the fourth time.
Next yearIn the year
2007
For the fifth consecutive year and sixth time overall, J&J Snack Foods Corp. is selected by Forbes Magazine for its “200 Best Small Companies” list.
J&J Snack Foods celebrates its 35th birthday by making numerous strategic acquisitions, including Hom/Ade Foods, Inc., maker of fresh frozen dough products, added under the Mary B’s Biscuits brand. Radar, Inc., manufacturer of fig and fruit bars, is acquired under the Daddy Ray’s brand.
Whole Fruit Sorbet, Fruit-a-Freeze Fruit Bars and DOGSTERS Treats for Dogs brands are added to the portfolio, expanding frozen novelty offerings and capabilities, as well as a frozen novelty production facility on the West Coast.
Next yearIn the year
2010
J&J Snack Foods adds another versatile snack, dessert or anytime item with the acquisition of California Churro®, a manufacturer of authentic, traditional, filled churro products.
ICEE redesigns and launches its iconic ICEE cup.
Next yearIn the year
2011
J&J Snack Foods makes a strategic acquisition of the handheld business of Conagra Foods, allowing the brand to now manufacture handheld sandwiches and pies.
The Weston, Oregon and Holly Ridge, North Carolina manufacturing facilities are added.
ICEE social media outreach continues to expand, with 1.5MM Facebook friends and a #1 ranked app.
Next yearIn the year
2013
J&J Snack Foods sales surpass $800 million.
J&J Snack Foods acquires New York Pretzel, located in Brooklyn, New York.
Next yearIn the year
2014
J&J Snack Foods announces OREO Churros to the foodservice industry nationwide.
J&J Snack Foods adds a unique product line to the J&J Snack Foods family, with Philly Famous Water Ice, Inc. (PhillySwirl) in Tampa, Florida.
Next yearIn the year
2016
Brauhaus Pretzel™, a new, authentic, pub-style soft pretzel available for the foodservice sector, is introduced.
J&J Snack Foods acquires Corazonas® HEARTBAR™ Oatmeal Squares, featuring an exclusive use of plant sterols in health bars. The acquisition also increases the brand’s presence on e-commerce.
The acquisition of Hill & Valley Premium Bakery allows J&J Snack Foods to expand its bakery segment, adding a baking facility in Illinois and a line of sugar-free baked goods for use in in-store bakery settings.
J&J Snack Foods announces the launch of OREO Churros and Pillsbury™ Mini Pies in retail outlets.
Whole Fruit® Organic Frozen Juice tubes are introduced, expanding the product line in the retail sector.
PhillySwirl® and ICEE partner to make PhillySwirl® ICEE MixItUP stick novelties.
Next yearIn the year
2017
J&J Snack Foods celebrates $1 billion in total sales!
With the acquisition of Labriola Baking Company, J&J Snack Foods expands its baking segment, adding a baking facility and a line of artisan breads and pretzels.
J&J Snack Foods expands its ICEE distribution with the purchase of the Atlanta and Nashville areas from Southern ICEE. This allows ICEE to grow its core branded business in the Georgia and Tennessee areas.
Through a new partnership with Focus Brands, J&J Snack Foods begins to manufacture, sell and distribute Auntie Anne’s®*-branded frozen pretzel products in the retail segment.
*AUNTIE ANNE’S and the Auntie Anne’s logo are registered trademarks of Auntie Anne’s Franchisor SPV LLC. 2017 Auntie Anne’s Franchisor SPV LLC.
Next yearIn the year
2019
ICEE goes national! J&J Snack Foods acquired the rights to all United States regions to sell and market ICEE Frozen Beverages.
J&J Snack Foods Corp expands churro innovation with new loop churros under the California Brand.
www.jjsnack.com is redesigned making it a hub for investors, consumers, customers, and employee prospects to learn about J&J Snack Foods Corp.
Next yearIn the year
2020
J&J Snack Foods Corp. announces new company president, Dan Fachner!
Be More Spoontaneous with LUIGI’S! J&J Snack Foods Corp rolls out new branding and packaging for the LUIGI’S Real Italian Ice brand
J&J Snack Foods Corp. continues to innovate soft pretzels with the launch of SUPERPRETZEL Soft Pretzel Fries.
Mary B’s Biscuits & Dumplings receive a brand refresh with new packaging and a new website!
Next year

Where to find J&J Snack Foods Products
- Business Dining
- Club Stores
- Colleges
- Convenience Stores
- Fast Casual Restaurants
- Healthcare
- Independent Restaurants
- In Store Bakery
- Mass Merchants
- Military
- Movie Theaters
- National & Regional Restaurant Chains
- Schools K-12
- Sports & Entertainment
- Supermarket & Grocery
- Theme & Amusement Parks