Dell E. Johnsen started Mr. Dell Foods in 1969 as a produce brokerage house, mainly specializing in carrots, potatoes, and onions. We began our simple processing operation in the summer of 1971 by producing fresh french fries; then began producing fresh hash browns for the food service trade in 1972. In 1973, we began selling, on a limited basis, fresh hash browns to the Kansas City area retail grocery trade. From 1973 through 1975 we recognized an opportunity and need for a quality, frozen, shredded hash brown so we began developing the first I.Q.F. (Individually Quick Frozen) shredded, pre-cooked, all-natural hash browns for the food service and retail grocery trade. That product was launched to both the food service and retail trade in late 1975 and early 1976. Starting with only a few customers in the Kansas City area, Mr. Dell's distribution expanded throughout the Midwest and beyond.

We hoped that we would develop a good following. Little did we realize that not only was a growing audience of loyal consumers following us, but our competition was also following us quite closely. It has been said, "Imitation is the greatest form of flattery." Today, there are many I.Q.F. Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes - none, however, that can compare to Mr. Dell's in uniqueness and rich potato taste! Why? Because Mr. Dell Foods has continued to follow our founder's philosophy of superior quality, convenience and performance. Mr. Dell Johnsen's goal to meet the consumer's preferences established a strong foundation for our company.

In 1984 Mr. Dell Foods, Inc. built a new, modern, state-of-the-art processing plant on a nine-acre tract in Kearney, Missouri. Positioned adjacent to I-35 and conveniently close to the major metropolitan area, Mr. Dell's 15,000 square foot facility was strategically located to supply product throughout the Midwest. Sales at that time were 2 million pounds a year.

In the fall of 1988, another 9,000 square feet of freezer space was added, a step made necessary by the increasing demand in both established and new markets. The new freezer was designed to hold in excess of 45,000 cases of product, pending immediate shipping by truck to Mr. Dell's customers. Sales at that time were 5 million pounds a year.

In the spring of 1989 more computerized cooking and freezing equipment was installed, resulting in further upgrades of production methods and quality control. Equipment improvements have enhanced production capacity, further assuring a continued high degree of product consistency and quality.

In 1993, ground was broken for a 20,000 square foot addition to our plant, along with increased raw product storage and improved employee facilities. Included with the expansion were new peeling and packaging equipment, case sealing, check weighing, metal detection and optical scanning equipment. This equipment enables us to maintain our quality standards while decreasing the dependence on manual inspection.

Chilling and product flow upgrades in 1998 have further expanded our production capabilities. Sales have risen to 9 million pounds a year with over 17 million pounds projected for the year 2003.

Mr. Dell's Hash Browns have become more than a commodity item! We specialize in hash browns! Once people try us they continue to buy because we cook and taste like homemade.