Frank Vlasic moved to America in 1912 to build a better life for his family. Back then he made cheese—not pickles—so the success chapter of the Vlasic story took awhile. Frank established a creamery business in Detroit. He eventually turned it over to his son, Joe.
Fortunately, Joe expanded the family milk and cheese business into selling Polish pickles spiced with garlic and dill. During World War II, his supply of pickles dried up, so Joe started testing a new idea: selling Polish pickles in glass jars. Smart move. Joe couldn’t keep up with demand, and the Vlasic Pickle brand was born!
Joe’s son, Bob, joined the company after the war and became general manager of the Vlasic operation, which still included the creamery. Its first plant was built in Imlay City, Michigan. Over the next 20 years, Joe and Bob grew Vlasic into America’s number-one pickle. Not bad for a couple of cheese makers.