Gebhardt Mexican Foods Company had its beginnings in a small restaurant in New Braunfels, Texas, where Willie Gebhardt added a secret ingredient to his dishes. Mr. Gebhardt moved to San Antonio in 1890 and registered Eagle Brand Chili Powder in 1896. In 1911 the company, then called Gebhardt Chili Powder Company, received a meat license, which allowed the company the chance to expand its product line to include items such as tamales and chili. In 1959, Gebhardt Chili Powder Company became an independent division of the Beatrice Food Company of Chicago. By 1984, the renamed Gebhardt Mexican Foods Company had grown to five times its size before the merger. In the 1980's Texas accounted for about 60% of Gebhardt's sales, where its Eagle Brand Chili Powder was the dominant brand, however, at the same time business in California, Arizona, Oregon and Washington State was increasing. In 1986, Beatrice Foods was acquired by Kohlburg, Kravis and Roberts and it became part of the Beatrice/Hunt-Wesson division. Conagra Incorporated, a food production company headquartered in Omaha Nebraska, bought Beatrice/Hunt Wesson in 1990. As of 1997, Gebhardt Mexican Foods was part of Hunt Foods, a division within Conagra Incorporated.
From the guide to the Gebhardt Mexican Foods Company Records MS 44., 1896-1988, (University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections)
