• Mission and Vision
• History
• The Pocket Diet
• Commitment to Community
• Professional Affiliations
• Press, Awards and Recognition

History

Two brothers, John & George Kashou grew up eating pita bread and started a small retail bakery in 1979 to create a better product than what was available. They never imagined that one day, Kangaroo Brands, Inc. would supply more supermarkets than any other brand of pita pocket bread in the United States.

Everyone asks, "Why Kangaroo?" No, we are not Australian and our products are definitely not made from Kangaroos. Our pocket bread has the same unique feature as a kangaroo that sets it apart - a pocket!

It began, and continues, in their hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a family bakery committed to producing quality pita pocket bread. Kangaroo Brands, Inc. continues to grow and preserve this strong dedication to quality. Now, Kangaroo also produces baked all natural pita chips in a variety of flavors and Pita Naturals Omelet Sandwiches.

Vice President and Owner George Kashou puts it best: "Kangaroo is one of the few remaining family businesses in a food world dominated by giant companies. We like it that way because we can make decisions that reflect our commitment to producing the highest quality and most innovative products in the pita category and beyond.

Historical Timeline
1979 - Humble beginnings

• Peta Bakeries, Inc. founded by John Kashou in Milwaukee WI. The first product is a 6" white Pita Bread

1980

• John's brother George Kashou joins company to lead sales effort new accounts established beyond Wisconsin

1982

• Whole Wheat bread added to the production schedule

1983

• Peta Bakeries changes name to Kangaroo Brands, Inc.

1985

• Company builds new, larger bakery on Milwaukee's North Side

1986

• Kangaroo established as a Midwest regional brand
• New product launched – 4" cinnamon raisin, white and wheat Mini Pitas

1987 – The innovation begins

• Kangaroo launches world's first pre-cut Pita Pocket
• New building expansion to increase production and storage

1989

• Kangaroo brand/customers gain strength outside Midwest, distribution begins in Texas
• Custom pita shapes/sizes baked for food service operators

1990

• Complete package redesign to provide continuity
• First television commercial produced and tested in Seattle, WA

1991

• The Brat Pocket is created for use with Johnsonville Brats

1995

• New product launched - Sloppy Joe Pockets and Hot Dog Pockets

1996

• Complete package redesign to emphasize the pocket in pita
• "Pockets" the Kangaroo mascot is born

2000

• “Pockets” is used on package for the first time

2001 – Into the new millennium

• First company website published to world wide web
• New product launched - Pre-opened Salad Pockets

2002

• Salad Pockets awarded "Best New Product" at International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) food show

2003

• Kangaroo begins exporting to Canada
• New product launched - whole wheat Salad Pockets
• George Kashou teams up with Community Memorial Hospital and writes the first edition of the Pocket Diet book

2004

• Exporting expands to Korea, Mexico and Caribbean islands
• New Product Launched - whole grain Breakfast Pockets
• Company wins Small Business Time IQ Award (Innovative Quotient) for Salad Pockets

2005

• Exporting expands to U.S. Military Commissaries in Europe
• New product launched - whole grain Sandwich Pockets
• Second television commercial produced, runs in Southeastern Wisconsin
• Kangaroo Brands’ first national television appearance, featured on the Food Network’s show Unwrapped

2006 – More than just bread

• New product launched - all-natural baked Pita Chips
• New product launched - all-natural Omelet Pita
• New product launched - all-natural whole grain Sandwich Pockets
• Kangaroo acquires and renovates new building on Milwaukee's North Side to produce chips
• Exporting expands to South America

2007

• New product launched - Brat Pockets™ with endorsement from Johnsonville®
• Kangaroo expands Omelet Pita varieties to include individually-wrapped items

2008

• Kangaroo produces pita chips for America’s top retail grocery brands
• Kangaroo expands pita chip bakery to increase production capacity
• New Product Launch - 100 calorie variety packs of Pita Chips
• New product launched - Kangaroo Zesty Cheddar Pita Chips
• Second edition of the Pocket Diet book is released with hundreds of additional recipes

2009

• Kangaroo launches new and improved website
• New product launched - Kangaroo Cracked Pepper and Salt
• Kangaroo logo gets a make-over
• Kangaroo begins communicating with fans through Facebook and Twitter
• Kangaroo Celebrates 30 year anniversary at the Milwaukee Zoo with employees, friends and families