Sara Lee is a global consumer goods company that produces and distributes bakery, food, and beverage products in more than 180 countries. It started as a small bakery in Illinois in the 1950s and became a multinational corporation with a wide range of household brands.
Sara Lee was founded in 1951 as C.D. Kenny Company, a small wholesale distributor of sugar, coffee, and tea based in Illinois.
After acquiring several bakeries and food companies, the company changed its name to Consolidated Foods Corporation in 1953.
In 1985, Consolidated Foods Corporation changed its name again to Sara Lee Corporation after the success of the brand's frozen cheesecake.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Sara Lee expanded to include a variety of food and beverage brands, including Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, and Jimmy Dean.
In 2012, Sara Lee announced plans to split into two separate companies, one focused on meats and the other on baked goods. The baked goods company was later sold to private equity firm KKR and renamed Bimbo Bakeries USA.
In 2020, the company changed its name once more to Tyson Foods after being acquired by the meat producer.
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A line of bread products including white, whole wheat, and honey wheat variations.
A line of sweet treats including cheesecakes, pound cakes, and apple pies.
A line of breakfast sausages, including patties, links, and biscuits.
A line of packaged deli meats, including ham, turkey, and salami.
A line of hot dogs and sausages for grilling and snacking.
No, Sara Lee bread is not gluten-free.
Sara Lee desserts are available at most grocery stores and supermarkets.
Some Sara Lee products, such as certain breads and desserts, may be vegetarian. However, products like Jimmy Dean sausages and Hillshire Farm lunch meats are made with meat.
Some Sara Lee products, such as their breads with whole grains, can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. However, their desserts and processed meats are generally not considered healthy options.
Sara Lee was acquired by Tyson Foods in 2020.