The Crunch: The History of Fletchers Sliced Bread
7th November 2022
Fletchers Bread is one of our most loved and best-selling range of products at Kara (and we know why!). It’s a brand that is rich in heritage and family tradition – but do you know the history behind Fletchers?
Pioneers in the industry for the past 100 years, Fletchers was founded in 1895 by George Henry Fletcher. Recognised for its notable slogan ‘Better fetch a Fletchers Loaf’, alongside their red and cream-coloured vans, Fletchers was a name that was well-known within its local area as the vans travelled through the streets of Sheffield from 1980 to 1999. George began his career as a baker when he was just 12 years old, following in his father’s footsteps. When he was 22, he started his own baking business which soon grew and, in 1974, began to trade under Fletchers Bakeries Ltd. Following success, the Fletchers Bread ‘super’ factory was built on Claywheels Lane, where it still stands today, manufacturing delicious sliced bread
In the year 2000, the 3rd generation of Fletcher bakers, Paul Fletcher, sold the company to Northern Foods. Seven years later it was sold to Vision Capital before it reached its current home at Finsbury Foods in 2014. Since this change, Fletchers Bakery has joined part of one of the largest speciality bakery and wholesale food groups in the UK.
Nearly 10 years later, the Fletchers Bakery site measures 40,000 square metres, with 400 amazing staff members who each hold an average of 11 years of service time. The site boasts ten automatic bakery lines, with both fresh and frozen sliced bread products being produced 364 days a year – that’s a lot of bread! – alongside other products including muffins and doughnuts. The automated system means we’re able to product large volumes of product to meet wholesale demands. This includes products for both the retail and food service sectors, with licensed products developed for well-known brands including Disney and Thorntons.
Kara Foodservice is proud to be a part of this legacy. We’ve been featuring this renowned and best-loved range of sliced bread exclusively within our product catalogue for some time, and we know exactly why it’s a favourite amongst both our wholesalers and their own customers. From medium half and half to thick white bread, Fletchers bakery stands strong among the Kara Foodservice range.
Have you introduced Fletchers bread into your product offering? Take a look at our available range or, to find your nearest stockist of Fletchers bread, visit our postcode search.
