Frederic Melton
The Cheez-It cheese cracker was first introduced in 1921 by the Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio. The company was founded in 1907 by Weston Green and initially produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. In 1921, Green & Green launched the baked rarebit, a flaky, cheese-flavoured cracker that would become known as the Cheez-It. Since its acquisition by Sunshine Biscuits (formerly known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company) in the early 1930s, Cheez-It has expanded its product line, offering over 30 different flavours produced in its Kansas City, Kansas factory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cheez-It |
| Manufacturer | Kellanova through its Sunshine Biscuits division |
| Size | 26 x 24 mm or 1 x 1 inch |
| Shape | Rectangular, often believed to be square |
| Ingredients | Wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, spices, paprika |
| Year of Launch | 1921 |
| Inventor | Green & Green Company |
| Current Owner | Kellogg's |
| Flavours | Over 50 |
| Sodium Content | High |
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What You'll Learn
- The Green & Green Company invented Cheez-Its in 1921
- The crackers are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices
- The Green & Green Company was acquired by Sunshine Biscuits in the early 1930s
- Kellanova owns the company that manufactures Cheez-Its
- Over 30 different flavors of Cheez-Its are produced
The Green & Green Company invented Cheez-Its in 1921
The Green & Green Company, also known as the Green & Green Baking Company, invented Cheez-Its in 1921. The company was founded in 1907 by Weston Green in Dayton, Ohio, and produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. During World War I, they also produced hardtack, a type of hard bread.
After the war, Green & Green began focusing on more flavorful fare and launched its Edgemont line of products, which included grahams, crackers, and gingersnaps. Among these products was a flaky one-by-one-inch cheese cracker that would become known as the Cheez-It. On May 23, 1921, Green & Green trademarked the name "Cheez-It," and the cracker was officially born. The company marketed the cracker as a baked rarebit, a reference to the dish of melted cheese over toast, also known as Welsh rarebit.
The original Cheez-It cracker was square in shape and orange in color, and it quickly became a popular snack. In the early 1930s, the Kansas City-based Sunshine Biscuits (known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company until 1947) acquired the Green & Green Company and with it, the rights to Cheez-Its. Sunshine Biscuits changed the color of the Cheez-Its boxes from green to red and continued to produce the popular snack.
Over the years, Cheez-Its have become a beloved cheese-flavored cracker in the United States, with over 30 different flavors produced and sold across the country. The crackers are made with real cheese and a variety of other ingredients, including wheat flour, vegetable oil, skim milk, salt, and spices. The unique "docker hole" in the center of each cracker is one of the key design features that make Cheez-Its instantly recognizable.
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The crackers are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices
The history of Cheez-It crackers began in 1907 when Weston Green founded the Green & Green Company in Dayton, Ohio. In 1921, the company introduced Cheez-It crackers, which were marketed as a "baked rarebit", a reference to a dish of melted cheese on toast. The crackers were originally made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices.
The process of making Cheez-It crackers begins with enriched wheat flour, to which a hint of paprika and other ingredients are added to give the crackers their bold flavor. Freshly shredded cheese is then mixed in. After mixing, the dough is flattened by rollers into thin sheets, cut, and layered into pastry-like perfection. A savory dose of salt is then added before the dough sheets are sent through a conveyor belt into a massive oven. After baking, the sheets of crackers are cut into the distinctive 1x1-inch squares.
The Green & Green Company produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. In the early 1930s, the company was acquired by the Kansas City-based Sunshine Biscuits (then known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company). Sunshine Biscuits changed the colour of the Cheez-It boxes from green to red. Over time, the company expanded its product line, and today, in addition to the original flavour, there are over 50 different varieties of Cheez-It flavours and products.
The Cheez-It crackers are produced in a 780,000-square-foot plant in Kansas City, Kansas, which has been operational since 1949. The plant features giant ovens that churn out 53,000 crackers per minute, resulting in 6,000 miles of Cheez-Its produced daily. The strategic approach to flavour management and rapid changeover facilities enable the plant to produce over 30 different flavours.
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The Green & Green Company was acquired by Sunshine Biscuits in the early 1930s
The Green & Green Company was founded in 1907 by Weston Green in Dayton, Ohio. The company produced a variety of baked snack foods, including Dayton crackers, graham crackers, and gingersnaps. During World War I, they also produced hardtack, a type of hard bread.
In 1921, Green & Green introduced a new product: a cheesy cracker called Cheez-It. The crackers were marketed as a "baked rarebit," a reference to a dish of melted cheese over toast. Cheez-Its quickly gained popularity, and on May 23, 1921, the company trademarked the unique name and logo.
In the early 1930s, the Kansas City-based Sunshine Biscuits (then known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company) acquired the Green & Green Company, bringing Cheez-Its into their portfolio. This acquisition marked a significant step in the expansion of the Cheez-It brand, as the new parent company had the resources and distribution network to bring the crackers to a wider audience. The acquisition also allowed Sunshine Biscuits to capitalize on the growing popularity of cheese-flavored snacks and establish itself in the competitive snack food market.
The acquisition of Green & Green Company by Sunshine Biscuits in the early 1930s was a pivotal moment in the history of Cheez-It crackers. It not only ensured the survival and growth of the Cheez-It brand but also contributed to the development of the snack food industry as a whole. The acquisition allowed Sunshine Biscuits to leverage the popularity of Cheez-Its and expand its market presence, shaping the snacking habits and preferences of consumers for decades to come.
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Kellanova owns the company that manufactures Cheez-Its
Kellanova, formerly known as the Kellogg Company, owns the company that manufactures Cheez-Its. The Kellogg Company acquired Cheez-It in 1921 when Sunshine Foods, which was then known as the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company, acquired the Green & Green Company, the original creator of Cheez-Its. The Kellogg Company then acquired Sunshine Foods, and Cheez-It came along with it.
Cheez-Its are 26-by-24-millimeter (1.0 by 0.94 in) crackers, often believed to be squares but technically rectangles. The crackers are made with 100% real cheese, wheat flour, vegetable oil, skim milk, salt, and spices. The Green & Green Company introduced the cracker as a baked rarebit, a reference to a dish of melted cheese over toast.
Kellanova, as the Kellogg Company, has expanded its snacking business with the agreement to acquire other beloved snack brands like Pringles, Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats, and Nutri-Grain. In 2023, Kellanova separated its North American cereal business, WK Kellogg Co, resulting in two independent companies. In 2024, Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned global leader in pet care, snacking, and food, announced its agreement to acquire Kellanova for $35.9 billion.
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Over 30 different flavors of Cheez-Its are produced
Cheez-Its have come a long way since their inception in 1921. The original Cheez-It was the only flavour available until the 1980s, after which the company began to experiment with different varieties and flavours. Today, there are over 50 different varieties and flavours of Cheez-Its, with more being added to the lineup regularly.
The brand has expanded its offerings to include unique flavours such as bacon and cheddar, sharp cheddar and parm, and even a reduced-fat variety for health-conscious consumers. The company has also introduced different textures, such as the Extra Toasty crackers and the thin, crispy, and airy Puff'd variant.
The Cheez-It Institute is dedicated to studying cheese maturity and determining which flavours are "Ready or Not Ready." This commitment to innovation and flavour exploration has resulted in a diverse range of options for consumers, ensuring that everyone can find a Cheez-It flavour that suits their taste preferences.
The popularity of Cheez-Its has led to their expansion beyond the United States, with official launches in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland in recent years. The brand continues to evolve, and its acquisition by Mars Inc. in 2025 may bring even more exciting developments to the Cheez-It lineup.
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Frequently asked questions
The Green & Green Company, also known as the Green & Green Baking Company, invented Cheez-Its in 1921.
The Cheez-It factory is located in the Fairfax Industrial District in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Kansas City factory has been producing Cheez-Its since 1949.
Cheez-Its are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, cheese, skim milk, salt, and spices.
Cheez-Its are approximately 26 by 24 millimeters (1.0 by 0.94 inches) in size.
