Long before Sara Lee became one of America’s most recognizable bakery brands, Sara Lee was a little girl whose father insisted that anything bearing her name had to represent the very best.
That father was Charles Lubin, the pioneering entrepreneur widely recognized for helping create the frozen bakery category. He transformed the industry by proving consumers would pay more for exceptional quality and by building the first fully automated, technology-driven bakery in the United States. The decision to name the company after his daughter created one of nation’s most enduring food brands.
When Sara Lee celebrated her 85th birthday, the team at Sara Lee Frozen Bakery had the privilege of commemorating not just the brand, but the woman who inspired it.
But first, they faced an unusual question. How do you bake a birthday cake for the woman whose name has become one of America’s most iconic bakery brands?
Their answer was simple. Rather than creating a traditional birthday cake, they created a one-of-a-kind tribute using Sara Lee All Butter Pound Cake and Sara Lee Cheesecake. The two popular products have come to define the Sara Lee name and the brand’s 77-year heritage.
Alongside “Happy 85th Birthday,” the frosted cake carried a heartfelt message: “Thank you for inspiring generations of Sweet Moments. Love, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery.”
“There are moments that remind you why your work matters, and this was one of them,” said Pete Laport, chief executive officer of the Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois-headquartered company. “We’re in an exciting period, with tremendous momentum and a lot underway. As we write the next chapter of Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, we’re inspired by the values that have defined this brand for generations and are committed to carrying them forward for years to come.”
“Every detail of the cake was intentional because it reflected something bigger than just a cake,” said Johnni Rodgers, chief marketing officer. “This celebration reflected our appreciation for the family behind the brand, our respect for Charles Lubin’s vision, and our pride in earning the privilege of representing the Sara Lee name every day.”
About the Company
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery produces and supplies a wide variety of cakes, pies, pastries, cookies, muffins and other products to foodservice operators and retail stores and supermarket bakeries. In addition to the Sara Lee brand, other proprietary labels include Chef Pierre, Bistro Collection, Superior on Main and Cyrus O’Leary’s.
