The story of United States Bakery and Franz Family Bakeries began in 1897 when Engelbert Franz, at age 15, wrote to his uncle, who owned the United States Bakery in Portland, Oregon. Engelbert asked his uncle to send him passage to travel from Rothsaifen, Austria to Portland, Oregon. In return, Engelbert would work for his uncle and pay him back. His uncle, needing dependable employees, agreed to send for Engelbert. During the eight years Engelbert worked for United States Bakery, he repaid his uncle and also sent for his brother Joseph to join him at the bakery.

In 1906 the two brothers branched out and purchased a small bakery named the Ann Arbor Bakery. In less than two years, their bakery became quite successful and allowed them to strike a deal with their uncle to purchase United States Bakery. They kept United States Bakery as their corporate name and the bakery became known as Franz Bakery.

In 1912, Franz built a bakery at N.E. 11th and Flanders, which is still in operation. During Engelbert's leadership through 1954, Franz Bakery evolved into the largest bakery in Portland and one of the most modern bakeries in the country.

Over the years, Franz has continued to expand and enhance its facilities by installing state-of-the art equipment. At the same time, the company remains true to the Franz family’s standards of superior quality and service. In fact, a number of younger generation Franz family members are active in the family business.