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75+ years of quality service

GSF History

Our History

Golden State Foods was founded in 1947 in Southern California, as a small meat company supplying local businesses. When the company teamed up with the young McDonald's Corporation in the 1950s, Golden State was on its way to becoming a major player in the food processing and distribution industries.

On a handshake and a promise, GSF and McDonald's set out to pursue a dream of the highest standards. Built upon solid values and relationships, the vision was clear: make the best products and provide the best service.

Today, more than 75 years later, GSF is one of the world’s largest diversified suppliers to the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and retail industries. Even with the company’s international expansion and dramatic sales growth, GSF’s high standards have endured decade after decade. From its humble beginnings to its global reach as a leading multi-national corporation, GSF attributes its success to simple, yet demanding principles of quality, service, and treating others with respect.

Decades of Service, Built on a Handshake and a PROMISE

1947

1950s

1950s

A Handshake and a Promise
By the early 1950s, annual sales for Golden State had reached $2 million. The company acquired Cheney Meat Company... continue

1960s

1960s

From Beef Patties to Big Mac Sauce
As GSF continued to expand its beef patty production throughout McDonald’s in the ‘60s, it also began serving local favorites... continue

1970s

Driving Growth through One-Stop-Shopping

The ‘70s were a time of tremendous growth, as sales grew to more than $337 million. In 1971, GSF opened a distribution center in... continue

1947

A GI Bill and a Heart Full of Dreams
Formerly called “Pacific Meat and Provision Company” and “Golden State Meat Company,” GSF was founded by Bill Moore... continue

1980s

Condiments, Produce and Distribution Growth
Growth continued, with GSF sales climbing from $398 million in 1980 to more than $1 billion in 1989. Golden State began to... continue

1990s

Going Global, Big Bakery, Product Development
The ‘90s saw GSF’s sales increase from $1 billion to $1.7 billion. The global market became increasingly important to Golden State Foods... continue

1980s

2000s

Creed and Values, Culture and Community
Beginning the new millennium, Chairman and CEO Mark Wetterau and his executive team formally instituted the GSF Creed... continue

1990s

2010s

Dairy, Produce, Blockchain and Innovation
By 2010, Golden State Foods had grown to more than 50 customer brands on five continents. In Liquid Products alone, the growth... continue

2000s

2010s

1970s

2020s

Rapid Expansion and a Bright Future
The new decade ushered in tremendous growth for the company. Following the opening of QCD's new corporate headquarters... continue

2020s

GSF

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

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