Our History
2024
2024

We’re back on TV and back to our baking best after the bakery re-opened after the fire. We can’t wait to show customers why our top quality bread is the freshest around.

2012
2012

125 years in and we’re still evolving, opening a third bakery in Northwich. We also open our state-of-the-art test kitchen, The Exploratory to make more scrummy discoveries.

2023
2023

The business moves into 3 Centres of Excellence - Bread in Northwich, Speciality Bread in Ilkeston and Biscuits at a new site in Winsford.

2023
2023

Roberts re-brands to demonstrate the family core values and highlight the regionality of the business.

2003
2003

Roberts smashed the world record to achieve the title of ‘world’s largest sandwich’. The massive 2.5 metre tuna sandwich was made using 260kg slices of bread which took 4 hours to bake in a 20 metre long oven.

2000
2000

We build our iconic, transparent cooling towers, so everyone can follow our loaves’ journey from oven to bag.

1980s
1980s

100 years old and still fresh. Our bread is now reaching as far as Greece. These days, you’ll find Roberts fans everywhere from America to Japan.

1950s
1950s

We move to our current home in Northwich. With 12 brilliant bakers producing over 600 loaves an hour, we’re growing fast. Frank’s sons – led by Alan – take over to lead the charge.

1960s
1960s

We reach 90k loaves a week, with 200 bread lovers and 50 vehicles. Roberts is a househoild name across Cheshire.

1970s
1970s

Fourth generation join the business with Mike and Julia Roberts (not that one) followed by Lyndsay Roberts. They’re full of fresh ideas and Roberts begins supplying Sainsbury’s.

1940s
1940s

We pliugh on through the war years – they’re tough – with many Roberts employees called up. A new generation joins the business – Frank’s sons; Alan, Bernard and David.

1930s
1930s

Frank takes charge and decides to go all in on bread. To make more room for innovation, Roberts move from two to eight bakers.

1920s
1920s

Proving that the best thing is sliced bread, we pioneer the use of new-fangled bread slicers and speedy wrapping machines. Freeing up our bakers to focus fully on baking.

1860s
1860s

Our founder Robert Roberts (yes that was his name) begins a bread baking and grocery apprenticeship in Salford, at the ripe old age of 11.

1887
1887

Roberts opens up his first shop in Northwich, selling and delivering yummy groceries (like bread).

1900s
1900s

Three generation family members join the business. Robert’s son Frank, his wife Mary and their kids; Frank Jr, Annie, Alice, Ada and Nellie.