Company History

It all began in 1946, when a returning serviceman needed a steady job.

Twenty-three-year-old Sol Friend couldn't have started his frozen food company in a smaller way. Imagine him delivering his own company's product by driving the truck himself.

Ordering and delivery in those days were not what you'd call sophisticated. “I started with a line of 1, 2 and 4 ounce minute steaks. When I honked my horn, the grocer would come to the store window. Then he'd use hand signals to tell me how many packages he needed. Of course, I'd always bring in extras,” Sol Friend recalls.

The food was good, the price was right, and before long, one man and his truck blossomed into five direct sales routes. This company had possibilities! Of course, you had to have faith and vision to see the future of the frozen food industry. Back then, a store's entire freezer case was no bigger than today's end-of-aisle display. But On•Cor was on its way.

But why do we spell it “On•Cor”?

From the beginning, we focused on two goals; high quality and repeat business. The name "Encore" came from that. As the brand expanded, we changed the name to "On•Cor." This preserved the commitment to repeat business, while it added a unique spelling that distinguished the brand.

The first On•Cor product:
a line of minute steaks

Even in our early days, we recognized the value of retail support. So the company made heavy use of radio and television, especially children's programs.

We also ran heavy radio schedules in the 1950s, 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Our spots featured nationally recognized personalities including Arlene Francis, Ann Meara and Jerry Stiller, and Al Molinaro from Happy Days.

To view our Ad History page, click here.

In 1958, we thought we were launching a product. Turns out, we introduced a whole new category!

Until 1958, frozen entrées came in single-serving packages. We saw a gap in the marketplace. At the time, family households averaged more than four people. So we thought, why not give the customer a frozen entrée that feeds a family of four? What we didn't know at the time was that we had just created a whole new product category - the 2-lb. Family-Size Frozen Entrée.

In 1958 we understood a family's need for greater economy and today, we understand a family's need for greater convenience. We can't afford to give today's customers anything less than what they deserve - quality, convenience and a Family-Size dinner solution. All On•Cor packages carry microwave and conventional oven preparation directions with illustrations on the back panels.

Packaging With A Purpose.

As the supermarket frozen food case grew, we found our Family-Size entrées in side-by-side competition with many other products. We knew we had to appeal to the eye, as well as the appetite. Today's On•Cor packages feature beautiful color photography. You can see from these pictures how our packages have evolved over the years.

Gravy & Sliced Beef:
the first On•Cor 2-lb. entrée package.

When On•Cor added
Salisbury Steaks to the line.

Today's packaging.

All in the Family.

Howard Friend, President of On•Cor Frozen Foods, began his career with the company in 1972. “My father was too wise to start his son as an Executive Vice President. He wanted to make sure I understood what On•Cor was all about and the importance of quality. So when I started in 1972, I scrubbed the cook room. I filled orders. I actually helped make the food.”

Today Howard continues a family ritual. Every day, he personally samples the food as taste-testing is a way to maintain strict quality. Ask Howard what he had for breakfast and he’s likely to answer, “A little lasagna, salisbury steak and some meatloaf." Of course, at thanksgiving, breakfast usually includes turkey and gravy with dressing.”

“Our food is convenient and economical,” Howard says. “But people come back to buy again because they know it tastes great. We never forget that. That's why we make sauces and gravies in our own kitchens, and why we use real mozzarella in On•Cor Veal Parmagiana.”

“Noodles, we make from scratch,” Mr. Friend adds. “And we use only the finest seasonings in every item in the line.”

Good things come in BIG packages!

We now offer an extensive line of Family-Size frozen entrées, more than any other competitor. Whether its economy, convenience, nutrition or calorie content that interests the customer, we have always responded steadfast, with delicious choices. Our motivation has always been to feed America’s families with the quality food they’ve come to expect from On•Cor.

Family management gives us the ability to make decisions quickly and respond to opportunities. This makes it possible for David to thrive among the Goliaths. We continue to back our retailers with heavy promotion and advertising. From coupons in newspaper FSI's to network and spot TV featuring familiar personalities like Richard Kind, the On•Cor Guy, inviting himself over for dinner with families across the country. We hope you take him up on it.

We couldn't have done it without you!

When we were trying to reach beyond our markets within Illinois, food brokers showed us the way. Brokers are just as important to us today as they were in the 1950s. Without them, we would not be able to service markets all over the country. But it's our customers, the Frozen Food Buyers and Merchandisers, to whom we owe equal thanks. They continue to recognize the quality of On•Cor Frozen Entrées and they see the profit potential of the line.

Today, On•Cor is a rarity. An independent food company with distribution in the country's key markets. The originator and quality leader of the Family-Size category since 1958.

Family Size No Preservatives

(Top) On•Cor deluxe frozen entrées now roll out daily to key markets all over the country from the headquarters plant in Chicago, Illinois. (Left) On•Cor opened its first Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin production plant in 1968. (Right) In 1975, we added this second plant in Fort Atkinson, with four times the capacity of the first one.