A Legacy of Culinary Craftsmanship Since 1974
Founded in 1974 near Minneapolis by visionary Nils “Buddy” Eian, Buddy’s Kitchen launched with a single, hand-crafted omelet crafted exclusively for North Central Airlines. This iconic flagship product embodies our relentless passion for artisanal quality, flavor innovation, and customer-focused food solutions. For nearly five decades, we’ve blended heritage with forward-thinking culinary excellence.
Evolving with the Times
For more than 30 years, Buddy’s Kitchen was a trusted partner to the airline industry, delivering chef-crafted meals designed for travel. In 2007, we expanded our horizons, broadening our customer base and enhancing our manufacturing capabilities to serve retail, foodservice, and convenience markets. With the opening of a state-of-the-art production facility in 2016, we continue to meet growing demand through innovative food solutions and scalable operations built for the future.
A New Era of Growth
Since joining Premium Brands Holdings in 2017 as part of the North American Sandwich Division alongside SK Food Group and Raybern’s Foods, Buddy’s Kitchen has expanded its footprint across the continent. Despite this growth, we remain deeply committed to our core principles: delivering customized food solutions, driving agile culinary innovation, and maintaining flexible manufacturing processes that adapt to your evolving needs.
Leading the Way in Food Innovation
Buddy’s Kitchen stands at the forefront of customized food manufacturing and co-packing services. Serving diverse industries such as convenience stores, quick-service restaurants (QSR), and deli markets, we consistently push culinary boundaries to deliver innovative, high-quality food solutions that meet evolving consumer tastes and operational demands.
OUR CORE
VALUES
CUSTOMER
FOCUS
intimacy with a small
group of world class
customers
TEAM SPIRIT
supportive
but direct team
interactions
OWN IT.
be accountable
and deliver on your
commitments
PASSION
for continuous
improvement &
great food
COMMUNICATE
HONESTLY
the good
AND the bad
As part of Premium Brands, a leading specialty food company with operations across Canada and the U.S., we proudly contribute to a network that services over 22,000 customers through a diverse portfolio of owned brands and sister companies.
The brands that make up the North American Sandwich Division collectively operate over 1.5 million square feet of production space, delivering a true taste of excellence.
Our State-of-the-Art Facilities
Buddy’s Kitchen operates two USDA-certified facilities that are designed for flexibility and excellence. Both facilities are equipped to handle a wide range of food production needs, from gluten-free offerings to large-scale ready-to-eat (RTE) meals.
Burnsville, MN
Size: 81,000 sq. ft.
Lakeville, MN
Size: 130,000 sq. ft.
Facility Highlights
Certified Gluten-Free
We offer specialized production for gluten-free products, ensuring the highest quality standards.
Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Solutions
Designed for efficient, high-quality ready-to-eat meal production at scale.
Spiral & Storage Freezers
Advanced freezing systems to ensure product quality and safety.
Dual USDA/FDA Jurisdiction
Fully compliant with both USDA and FDA standards, ensuring rigorous food safety practices.
On-Site Test Kitchens
A dedicated space for culinary innovation and prototype development, ensuring every product meets your exact specifications.
Flexible Manufacturing
Our facilities are designed for agility, supporting a wide range of custom production needs, from small runs to large-scale production.
