H & S bakery

Introduction / Overview

For generations of Maryland residents, the name H & S Bakery is synonymous with fresh bread, rolls, and a deeply rooted commitment to the Baltimore community. What began in 1943 as a humble venture by two Greek immigrants, Harry Tsakalos and Isidore “Steve” Paterakis, has blossomed into America’s largest family-owned and operated variety baker. Based right here in Baltimore, H & S Bakery is not just a local business; it's a monumental part of the East Coast's food supply chain, a true American success story, and a key player in the revitalization of Baltimore's Harbor East neighborhood.

While many Marylanders interact with their products daily—perhaps on a breakfast sandwich, a burger bun from a quick-service restaurant, or a classic loaf from a local supermarket—the sheer scale and history of this Baltimore-based powerhouse often go unheralded. Operating for over 80 years and now spanning four generations of family leadership, H & S Bakery has built its empire on hard work, dedication, and a foundational belief in giving back to the community that fostered its growth. From baking hand-formed Italian loaves in a small rowhome in Highlandtown to establishing an integrated network of bakeries and distribution centers across the Eastern seaboard, their journey is a testament to the enduring entrepreneurial spirit found in our state. The company’s growth includes affiliated companies like Northeast Foods and the beloved Schmidt Baking Company, further solidifying its dominant role in providing specialty baked goods to countless customers, from major national chains to your favorite local restaurant.

Location and Accessibility

H & S Bakery’s headquarters and a significant portion of its operations are centered in the heart of Baltimore, making it an unmistakable landmark in the city. The main address associated with the bakery's large facility is a prominent fixture in the Fells Point/Harbor East area, a neighborhood that the Paterakis family has played a major role in developing and rejuvenating. The aroma of freshly baked bread, a wonderful signature of the city, often wafts through this area, serving as a comforting reminder of this local institution.

The address often cited for the facility is: 603 S Bond St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. It is worth noting that other addresses, such as 601 S Caroline St, are also associated with the company’s expansive operations in the same immediate area, which includes both corporate offices and large-scale manufacturing and distribution centers. For local residents and businesses, the bakery’s physical presence symbolizes its commitment to its Baltimore roots, despite its national reach. The facility’s location is highly accessible within the city, situated near the waterfront and major roadways, which is crucial for their extensive direct-store-delivery (DSD) distribution network that supplies businesses and consumers throughout Maryland and the entire East Coast. This central location ensures maximum freshness and efficient delivery for all their partners.

Services Offered

H & S Bakery and its affiliated companies offer a comprehensive suite of products and services, primarily focused on large-scale commercial and wholesale baking and distribution. As America’s largest family-owned variety baker, their offerings are vast, designed to meet the demands of major food service clients, supermarkets, and Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs).

• Large-Scale Variety Baking Production: Manufacturing an impressive array of baked goods, including various types of bread, rolls, and specialty items, catering to large-volume orders with consistent quality.
• Custom-Made Baked Goods: Providing custom solutions for businesses with unique product needs, from ideation and innovation of new products to final production, including healthy alternatives and trending bun concepts.
• Wholesale Bread and Roll Supply: Serving as a primary supplier for numerous national and regional fast-food chains, including McDonald's (supplying over half of their U.S. franchises), Chick-Fil-A, Popeyes, and Olive Garden, among others.
• Retail and Supermarket Product Lines: Supplying products under their own name and through their subsidiary, Schmidt Baking Company, to national supermarket chains across the East Coast, such as Costco, Safeway, and Giant, ensuring high-quality, fresh bread is available for local Maryland families.
• Integrated Distribution Network: Operating an extensive network of 10 bakeries and over 30 distribution centers strategically located across the Eastern seaboard, utilizing both fresh-baked DSD (direct-store-delivery) and frozen shipping options to meet customer demand.
• Food Service for Institutions: Providing baked goods to institutions, including supplying 90 percent of Maryland’s public schools, demonstrating a strong commitment to local educational and civic bodies.
• Kneads Bakeshop & Café: Through a newer venture by the younger generation of the Paterakis family, the company has established Kneads Bakeshop & Café, a retail location offering artisan bread, pastries, coffee, and a community space inspired by their familial baking roots. This provides a direct-to-consumer experience of their craft.

Features / Highlights

The story and impact of H & S Bakery extend far beyond the baked goods themselves. The company stands out in the industry and the local Maryland landscape due to several remarkable features and historical highlights.

• Founding Story and Heritage: Founded in 1943 by Greek immigrants Harry Tsakalos and Isidore “Steve” Paterakis, the company is an emblem of the American Dream, maintaining continuous family ownership for four generations.
• Largest Family-Owned Variety Baker: H & S Bakery, along with its family of companies including Northeast Foods and Schmidt Baking Company, is recognized as America's largest family-owned and operated variety baker.
• The McDonald's Partnership: A pivotal moment came in 1965 when John Paterakis Sr. struck a handshake deal with Ray Kroc to supply buns for McDonald's, a relationship that led to the formation of Northeast Foods and propelled the company to national prominence as a key supplier for the fast-food giant.
• Commitment to the Local Economy and Real Estate: Beyond baking, the family expanded into property development, forming H & S Properties Development Corporation. This endeavor was instrumental in transforming Baltimore's Harbor East neighborhood into the thriving, luxurious mixed-use area it is today.
• Community and Philanthropic Values: The company has a long history of charitable giving, highlighted by actions such as donating 3 million loaves of bread to Maryland schools and charities during the early days of the pandemic, and famously distributing hundreds of loaves to travelers stranded on I-95 during a severe weather event.
• Iconic Baltimore Cuisine Connection: While primarily a wholesale baker, the brand is culturally associated with the best of Baltimore, with some local businesses highlighting products featuring Old Bay seasoning and authentic Baltimore cuisine, a nod to the city’s culinary heritage.
• Technological Advancement: The bakery combines its heritage of artisanal craft with state-of-the-art baking technology and advanced logistics, utilizing innovations like RFID-embedded shipping trays to ensure high quality and consistency across its vast distribution area.

Contact Information

For those in Maryland and beyond looking to connect with this iconic institution, here is the key contact information.

Address: 603 S Bond St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA (Note: Primary corporate and production facilities span the surrounding blocks in the Fells Point/Harbor East area).

Phone: (410) 276-7254

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing H & S Bakery is a decision to support a foundational piece of Maryland’s industrial and culinary history. For businesses, what is worth choosing is the unparalleled combination of scale, reliability, and custom capabilities that only the largest family-owned variety baker can offer. They provide the consistency and quality that major QSRs demand, coupled with the flexible distribution solutions needed by smaller, local establishments. The integrated logistics network ensures that whether you are a supermarket or a small deli, your order will be delivered with a commitment to freshness and timeliness.

For Maryland consumers, every purchase of an H & S or Schmidt product is a choice to stand behind a company that has invested deeply in its home state. You are choosing a legacy of quality passed down through four generations, a business that has done its part to revitalize Baltimore's waterfront, and a company whose core values include profound community support. The promise of H & S Bakery is not just in the taste and texture of their baked goods, which are made with exacting standards, but in the knowledge that you are consuming a product from a Baltimore original that has successfully scaled the American Dream while never forgetting its roots in the Old Line State. From the bread you find on your grocery shelf to the bun holding your favorite sandwich, H & S Bakery's commitment to quality ensures that Marylanders always have access to the freshest and finest baked products available.

H & S bakery

603 S Bond St, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA