From tomatoes to baked beans: How Bush’s became one of America’s most iconic brands

DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tucked away in a corner of Jefferson County is a business that makes one of America’s most iconic brands, Bush’s Baked Beans.

Bush’s Best Baked Beans has been operating for 117 years. Its founder, AJ Bush, went to Carson-Newman College. He taught school for a while before opening a general store in 1897. Soon after that, he started a cannery in Chestnut Hill, about 10 miles southeast of Dandridge. The general store is now a museum, gift shop and restaurant that has approximately 150,000 visitors a year.

Drew Everett is the fourth-generation family member to lead Bush’s Best Baked Beans. His great-grandfather and great-grandmother were AJ and Sallie Bush.

125 years ago, farming was the main source of income in the foothills of the Smokies. Ever the entrepreneur, AJ and his sons started canning tomatoes in 1908, and the business grew.

“My great-grandfather, as we began to extend our portfolio beyond tomatoes. We added buildings and capabilities to process different types of fruits and vegetables,” said Everett.

Scott Schroeder showed us what’s called a Hole in the Top tomato can. Before being sealed, a worker filled it by hand with sliced tomatoes a hundred-plus years ago.

“History tells us the best they had was about a 1,000 cans in a day. So, they would have really been working to get that,” said Schroeder. “Today, we have a line that actually runs about a 1,000 cans a minute.”

While turning out thousands of cans a minute, the business has brought prosperity to the region and more.

“My great-grandfather had six children. He wanted to provide opportunity and meaningful employment for them. But he also wanted to provide meaningful employment and opportunity to those in the community as well,” said Everett.

The cannery has evolved since 1908 and has employed tens of thousands of East Tennesseans over that time. Many of them have worked for the company for decades.

“We actually have not only fourth and fifth generation family members involved in the business, but we also have fourth generation employees that work for us as well,” said Everett.

In the late 1960s, the company needed a value-added product that would bring in money all year round, not just seasonally. And, they found the right formula to fill grocery shelves: Bush’s Baked Beans.

“The bulk of the beans comes from two regions. The thumb of Michigan up around Reese, Michigan, then what is called the Min-Dak region over in North Dakota and the Minnesota area,” said Schroeder.

In 2007, the popular TV campaign featuring Jay Bush and Duke hit the airwaves. Duke went to some pretty extreme lengths to try to spill the beans on the Secret Family recipe — but today it remains just that: a secret.

“Oh, that’s off limits. And, I don’t even know it. So, I couldn’t tell you even if I did. Only Duke knows,” said Everett.

Everett believes AJ Bush would be proud of the business today as it continues his legacy.

“From our humble beginnings, we only canned one product in 1908. That was tomatoes. I don’t think he would have ever envisioned us canning baked beans, and that being the driving force of our business in the 2000s,” said Everett.

A day trip to Chestnut Hill to visit the Bush facility is worth it. Children will enjoy the hands-on museum, while adults will soak in the company’s history. Food at the restaurant is delicious and there is a variety of beans on the menu. I’d suggest trying the bean chocolate pie.