This Family-Owned Bakery Is An Oregon Staple That You Knead To Visit
By Catherine Armstrong|Published May 17, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
We love all of Oregon’s family-owned businesses, but there’s one that’s been creating delicious bread, rolls, and buns for more than 100 years, and it’s an iconic spot that you really “knead” to visit.
If you've lived in Oregon for very long, you probably recognize this huge loaf of bread that slowly spins on top of a local bakery. This is Franz Bakery, and it's been here for more than 100 years.
Engelbert Franz was just 15 years old when he immigrated to Portland in 1896. His brother Joseph followed in 1898. After working in their uncle's bakery for a few years, they purchased Ann Arbor bakery, and made their bread deliveries in horse-drawn wagons.
In 1912, the Franz Brothers built a brand new store on the corner of 11th and Flanders in Portland, and this flagship store still stands today. This historic photo shows the groundbreaking.
...to huge semi trucks and trailers that deliver bread all over, Franz Bakery now has store locations in seven states, including Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and California.
Of course, you can get Franz bread, rolls, and buns at almost any grocery store, but it's always fun to visit the outlet store at the original Oregon location in Portland.
Franz Bakery creates the most delicious breads of all kinds. From breakfast breads to organic 9-grain, you probably already have a favorite. The bakery also makes hamburger and hot dog buns, bagels, English muffins, and cookies.
The bakery hosted field trips way back in the 1950s, and if you grew up anywhere near Portland, you probably remember taking one as a child. Franz Bakery still hosts field trips for 2nd graders.
