Martin's Famous Potato Rolls and Bread, headquartered in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, is an iconic American bakery brand renowned for its signature potato rolls and premium bread products. Established in 1955, the family-owned business has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized brand synonymous with quality, flavor, and consistency.
Core Business and Product Offerings
Martin’s core operations focus on the production and distribution of enriched potato-based bread and rolls, including:
- Potato Rolls: Sandwich Potato Rolls, Long Potato Rolls, 12 Slider Potato Rolls, Sweet Dinner Rolls, Sweet Party Rolls.
- Breads: Potato Bread, 100% Whole Wheat Potato Bread, and Butter Bread.
- Swirl Breads: Cinnamon-Raisin, Cinnamon-Sugar, and Maple Brown Sugar Swirl Potato Breads.
- Specialty Items: Hoagie Rolls, Big Marty’s Rolls, and Potatobred Stuffing.
The products are sold across retail grocery chains, foodservice channels, and used by top-tier restaurant brands and gourmet burger chains.
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition
Martin’s unique edge in the bakery industry lies in:
- Use of Potato Flour: Their proprietary recipes use potato flour, giving their rolls a distinctive taste, texture, and moisture retention not commonly found in standard breads.
- Premium Brand Recognition: Often considered the “gold standard” for burger buns, Martin’s rolls are favored by top chefs and burger restaurants including Shake Shack, Five Guys, and BurgerFi.
- Clean Ingredients: Martin’s products contain no artificial dyes, are made with unbleached flour, and adhere to strict quality protocols.
- Family-Owned Integrity: A fourth-generation family business with strong commitments to community, faith, and ethical operations.
Financial and Operational Scale
Though privately held, industry estimates and third-party sources provide insight into Martin’s market footprint:
- Annual Revenue: Estimated at over $100 million according to data from Dun & Bradstreet and private company databases.
- Production Volume: Martin’s operates two large-scale production facilities in Chambersburg, PA and Valdosta, GA.
- Distribution Reach: Products are available in all 50 U.S. states, with growing international distribution in Canada, South Korea, Qatar, UAE, and the UK.
- Retail Presence: Stocked in leading supermarkets including Walmart, Publix, Whole Foods, and Safeway.
Shipment Records
Based on shipment data from export tracking platforms:
- Martin’s has active export relationships with foodservice partners and distributors across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
- Key exported products include Sandwich Potato Rolls and Hoagie Rolls, often shipped frozen to preserve freshness.
- International shipments have steadily increased since the mid-2010s, fueled by demand from global gourmet burger brands.
Target Markets
Martin’s targets diverse segments including:
- Retail Consumers: Families and individuals seeking premium bread products in supermarkets.
- Foodservice Industry: Fast-casual and fine dining restaurants with an emphasis on quality.
- Export Distributors: Particularly in regions adopting American food culture, such as the UAE and South Korea.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
Martin’s infrastructure supports its wide-ranging operations:
- Advanced Baking Facilities: High-capacity lines and automated packaging systems to maintain consistent output and hygiene.
- National Distribution Network: Supported by strategic partnerships and temperature-controlled logistics.
- R&D and Quality Control: Continuous innovation in bread recipes, and stringent testing to maintain flavor, structure, and shelf life.
Certifications and Compliance
Martin’s follows rigorous standards for food safety and compliance:
- SQF Certification: Safe Quality Food certification for both facilities.
- Kosher Certification: Most products are OU Kosher certified.
- FDA and FSMA Compliance: Adhering to all US food safety laws for domestic and export production.
These certifications support their eligibility to serve high-end retail and institutional clients in global markets.
Customer Testimonials and Recognition
Martin’s enjoys consistent praise from customers and culinary professionals:
- Shake Shack’s Danny Meyer publicly praised Martin’s as a “critical part” of the restaurant’s success due to their unmatched roll quality.
- Consumers on social media frequently cite Martin’s products as the “only acceptable burger bun,” reflecting strong brand loyalty.
- Featured in national publications including The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine.
Major Achievements
- Supplier of choice for leading gourmet burger chains like Shake Shack and BurgerFi.
- Export expansion into over 10 international markets across four continents.
- Consistently ranked among top-selling branded rolls in U.S. retail.
- Celebrated over 65 years of continuous family-owned operation with a legacy of excellence.
Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread continues to deliver unmatched flavor and consistency, maintaining its position as an American bakery icon with a fast-expanding global presence.
