Uncovering the History Behind Brooks Chili Beans – America’s Favorite Chili Bean Brand

Chili beans are a pantry staple for many American households. Their rich, meaty flavor makes them a perfect addition to chili, tacos, burritos and more. Of all the chili bean brands on supermarket shelves, Brooks Chili Beans stand out as one of the most popular and recognizable. But just who is behind this iconic brand that has been fueling family meals for over 100 years?

A Humble Beginning

The story of Brooks Chili Beans starts back in 1896 when A.L. Brooks founded a small canning operation in Saginaw, Michigan. Brooks began canning a variety of fruits, vegetables and canned soups. One of the company’s first products was a chili con carne made with tomatoes, beef, spices and beans.

At the time, canned foods were just becoming popular as they offered convenience and shelf-stability Brooks saw an opportunity to capitalize on this trend by specializing in canned “ready-to-eat” foods like chili

Growth Through Innovation

In 1906, the company began producing a new canned product – Brooks’ Mexican Style Beans. These plump vanilla beans swimming in a rich tomato sauce became popular as both a standalone side dish and as an ingredient in other recipes.

As the company continued to grow, it implemented innovative technologies to improve its canning operations. Brooks was one of the first canners to use vacuum sealing and perfected the process of canning foods at higher temperatures to destroy bacteria. This allowed the company to safely produce canned foods on a large scale.

Brooks also pioneered clever marketing tactics like painting its delivery trucks bright orange and launching radio jingles to get its “Brooks’ Beans” name stuck in customers’ heads. By the 1950s, Brooks had cemented itself as one of the top U.S. canned bean producers.

Joining Forces with ConAgra

In 1969, Brooks Chili Beans were acquired by food giant ConAgra as part of its plan to expand into consumer packaged goods. Under ConAgra’s leadership, Brooks continued to flourish and introduce new varieties like vegetarian chili and no-salt-added beans

ConAgra’s distribution capabilities allowed Brooks Beans to reach stores nationwide. The brand became a familiar staple on supermarket shelves across America. Generations of families grew up enjoying Brooks’ signature tender beans and zesty sauce.

Although Brooks has changed ownership a few times in recent years, it remains one of ConAgra’s core brands produced at their manufacturing facilities. ConAgra continues to leverage its food science and technology resources to improve Brooks’ recipes.

Why Brooks Hit the Bullseye with Chili Beans

So why have Brooks Chili Beans stood the test of time when so many other canned bean brands have come and gone? A few key reasons:

• Consistency – From the beginning, Brooks has been obsessive about consistency in bean size, texture and flavor. This reliability is key for customers.

• Distribution – Being backed by large parent companies like ConAgra gave Brooks the advantage of widespread distribution and promotion.

• Price – Brooks has consistently been priced lower than other premium canned bean brands. This makes them accessible for family meals.

• Versatility – Brooks’ chili beans work well on their own but also as an ingredient. Their popularity in chili helps drive sales.

• Regional Tastes – Brooks’ flavor profile meshes well with regional preferences – slightly spicy with tomato notes.

Brooks has stayed ahead of changing tastes by introducing lower sodium and vegetarian varieties. But their traditional chili beans remain a top seller.

What’s Next for This Iconic Brand?

While Brooks may now be owned by a multi-national food company, it hasn’t forgotten its Midwestern roots. Brooks’ headquarters remains in Saginaw, Michigan to this day.

The brand continues to lean into its all-American heritage by sponsoring hot dog eating contests, chili cookoffs and baseball teams. To appeal to younger generations, Brooks has partnered with online influencers to demonstrate inventive ways to use chili beans.

To address consumers’ growing interest in plant-based diets, Brooks recently released a line of vegan chili beans made with pea protein instead of beef. But their traditional chili bean recipe remains unchanged – still made the same way after 120 years.

Next time you grab a familiar red and white can of Brooks Chili Beans off the shelf, you can appreciate just a little bit more about the brand’s long and flavorful history. Those humble beans from Saginaw have come a long way!