Our History

In 1882, a young Toronto bread salesman and former baker’s apprentice named George Weston went into business for himself when he bought a bread route from his employer. By the turn of the century, Weston’s Bread was known throughout the city and George Weston had become Canada’s biggest baker.

In 1924, George’s eldest son, Garfield Weston, followed in his father’s footsteps and became president of George Weston Limited. In spite of war and the depression, Garfield transformed his father’s Toronto bakery into a commercial food empire with holdings on several continents.

Then, in the early 1970s, a third generation took charge as W. Galen Weston successfully consolidated an unwieldy conglomerate that appeared headed for financial disaster. Most recently, Galen G. Weston has assumed responsibility for the company’s largest asset, Loblaw Companies Limited, as George Weston Limited undergoes another period of transformation in response to a rapidly changing business environment.

Over more than a century and a quarter, thousands of employees of George Weston Limited and its subsidiaries have built an enterprise that has persevered and prospered through good times and bad to become one of Canada’s most successful companies. Here, we take a look at our past in the hope that it will inspire our future:

Baker’s Apprentice

“Perseverance and pluck combined with brains have brought many a man out of the rut. Such a man is Mr. George Weston.”

A Model Bakery

In 1897, George Weston unveiled his new and highly modern Model Bakery bread factory. Hailed for its efficiency and cleanliness, its appearance also set baker against baker to see who would make Toronto’s bread.

Weston Advertising

From George Weston’s first newspaper ads for his Real Home-Made Bread to today’s 30-second television commercials with Galen G. Weston, advertising has always played a crucial role in marketing Weston and Loblaw brands.

Britain’s Biggest Baker

The Depression hit Canadians hard, especially the country’s wheat farmers. But a young Toronto businessman named Garfield Weston had a plan — export more Canadian wheat and make a better British loaf of bread.

Working at Weston

A look at some of the dedicated employees who have made George Weston Limited one of Canada’s most successful companies.

Reinventing Loblaws

As W. Galen Weston took over as the new head of Loblaw Companies Limited in 1972, the company faced a stark reality — either reinvent itself or go broke.