Bush’s Best Baked Beans have become an iconic American pantry staple, with their rich, sweet sauce and tender beans But did you ever wonder who actually owns this beloved brand?
The answer lies with the Bush family, who have owned and operated the company for over 100 years across four generations. Bush Brothers & Company was founded by A.J. Bush and his two sons back in 1908. Today, it’s still run by his descendants, making it one of the oldest family-owned food companies in the country.
The Bush Family Tree
The Bush family tree begins with founder A.J. Bush. Along with his sons Fred and Claude A.J. first started canning tomatoes and peaches in Chestnut Hill Tennessee in 1908. This humble beginning blossomed into Bush Brothers & Company.
Fred Bush later took over as president in 1922 when they incorporated the business. His brother Claude eventually succeeded him in 1959. Claude’s son Condon Bush then took the reins as company president in 1978.
Condon ushered in the era of Bush’s Best Baked Beans when he had the idea to develop a canned baked bean product in 1969. It became a runaway success
Today, Condon’s son Jay Bush acts as company spokesman, keeping the family tradition alive. The fourth generation is also actively involved, with several Bush descendants working for the company.
A Secret Family Recipe
The comforting flavor of Bush’s baked beans can be attributed to the secret family recipe perfected by Condon’s mother Kathleen. She developed the special sauce using cured bacon, brown sugar, and a proprietary blend of spices.
The full recipe remains safely tucked away, shared only with certain family members on a need-to-know basis. Company president Jim Ethier is one of the few who know the complete recipe. Protecting it is a priority.
Still Family-Owned After 110+ Years
What’s remarkable about Bush Brothers & Company is that it remains family-owned even after more than a century in business. The company has passed smoothly between generations, a rarity these days.
The Bush family oversees operations, with non-family members heading up the executive team. A board of directors provides outside guidance, including members from other major food companies.
More than 10 Bush family members currently work there. For them, it’s much more than just a business – it’s a family legacy they treasure.
Moving From Local to National Brand
Bush’s Best Baked Beans were originally sold only regionally in 1969. But the hearty, comforting taste quickly caught on nationwide throughout the 1970s.
National advertising campaigns in the 1990s and 2000s cemented their popularity. Jay Bush and the cheeky Golden Retriever Duke became the beloved faces of the brand.
Today Bush’s sells over 80 percent of canned baked beans across the country. They rake in over $400 million in annual revenue, processing 55 million pounds of beans per year.
From a tomato cannery in rural Tennessee to an American pantry staple – the Bush family has certainly built an impressive legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the ownership behind Bush’s Baked Beans:
Who founded Bush’s Baked Beans originally?
A.J. Bush founded the company in 1908 as a tomato cannery in Tennessee along with his sons Fred and Claude.
How many generations of the Bush family have run the company?
Four generations of the Bush family have owned and operated the company over its 100+ year history.
Who came up with the idea for the baked beans product?
Condon Bush, A.J. Bush’s grandson, developed the secret bean recipe in 1969 which became Bush’s Best Baked Beans.
Does the Bush family still own the company today?
Yes, Bush Brothers & Company remains family-owned today, which is rare for a company over 110 years old.
Who are the current Bush family members involved?
Over 10 Bush family members work there today. Jay Bush is company spokesman, while Condon’s son Jim Ethier is president.
How did Bush’s transition from a small local brand to national?
National distribution and advertising campaigns in the 1970s and 1990s boosted Bush’s from a regional to national baked bean brand.
What makes Bush’s baked beans special?
The secret family recipe using bacon, brown sugar, and special spices gives Bush’s beans their distinctive, comforting flavor.
So the next time you enjoy a spoonful of Bush’s baked beans, appreciate the rich family history behind this beloved American brand!
Quality-obsessed and community-driven from the very beginning.
Or maybe we go all the way back to the start of civilization, when people first learned about how beautiful the bean was. A versatile, humble food that’s equally good for humans and this precious earth.
A food unlike any other.
At Bush’s®, we feel intimately connected to this bigger bean story. The story of the bean itself. And that’s why for generations, we’ve been committed to nothing else. Building our community, our company and our values around that humble little bundle of goodness.