Slopeside syrup is a popular pancake syrup brand sold across the United States. With its distinctive label showing a log cabin in the mountains, Slopeside has become a breakfast table staple in many households. But despite its widespread popularity, the ownership and history of Slopeside syrup is less well known. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the Slopeside brand and uncover the company behind this famous syrup.
The early history of Slopeside
Slopeside syrup first appeared on grocery store shelves in the late 1950s. The brand was started by the Reynolds Brothers Company, a small family-owned business based in Colorado. Brothers Mark and James Reynolds developed the original Slopeside syrup recipe, drawing inspiration from the homemade maple flavored syrups they enjoyed while growing up in the Rocky Mountains.
The Reynolds Brothers bottled their syrup recipe and marketed it to grocery chains across the West. Early advertisements highlighted the syrup’s natural maple flavor and its origins in the Colorado mountains. This pioneering brand stood out from the corn syrup-based competitors and quickly gained a following for its thick, rich taste.
By the late 1960s, Slopeside syrup was being stocked by major retailers across the United States. As distribution expanded nationwide, the company transitioned from its artisanal roots to mass production while keeping the same classic recipe.
The Lorenz Company acquires Slopeside
The 1970s brought major changes to the Slopeside brand. In 1972, the Reynolds Brothers Company was acquired by the Lorenz Company, a food conglomerate based in Minnesota.
The Lorenz Company was rapidly expanding and saw the profitable Slopeside brand as an attractive acquisition target. After purchasing Slopeside, Lorenz made the syrup one of its flagship brands. Slopeside’s operations moved from Colorado to Minnesota but the same recipe and branding remained.
Under Lorenz’s ownership throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Slopeside became the best selling pancake syrup in America. With expanded marketing reach and distribution power, the syrup’s familiar label soon became commonplace from small diners to family breakfast tables.
The rise and fall of international ownership
In the 1990s, Lorenz and all of its major brands, including Slopeside, were bought out by the European food company NutriX. Headquartered in Switzerland, NutriX was an international food conglomerate with holdings across North America and Europe.
The new European owners sought to expand Slopeside’s sales worldwide and introduced the brand to supermarkets in the UK, France, and other countries. While Slopeside gained distribution abroad, syrup prices increased in the US market leading to declining domestic sales.
After lackluster international earnings, NutriX sold off many of its American food brands in the early 2000s, including Slopeside. The syrup was acquired by Horizon Foods, an American grocery distributor.
A return to local roots
In 2007, Horizon Foods sold the Slopeside brand to the Vermont Maple Syrup Company. Headquartered in Vermont, this company specializes in maple syrup production and pancake accompaniments.
Returning to American and family ownership reinvigorated the brand. Slopeside’s new owners refreshed the packaging design but kept the classic logo and recipe. Distribution expanded across the US again as Vermont Maple focused on American markets.
Today, Slopeside remains one of the top selling pancake syrups in the country. Despite changing hands several times, it remains a familiar staple in many households. While no longer made in Colorado, its name and packaging design continue to evoke the brand’s original home in the Rocky Mountains.
Current ownership and operations
Slopeside syrup is currently owned and produced by the Vermont Maple Syrup Company. Their main syrup plant is located in Taftsville, Vermont about 40 miles southeast of Burlington.
Vermont Maple is still family-owned and operated by the Parker family, who have a multi-generational legacy in the maple syrup business. The company sells its own maple syrup, honey, and other breakfast products in addition to Slopeside.
Slopeside production takes place in a separate facility to maintain the brand’s distinctive flavor profile. Vermont Maple continues to use the original Slopeside recipe in batches of up to 5,000 gallons. While exact proportions are kept secret, the ingredients include corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, natural and artificial maple flavor, caramel color, and preservatives.
Vermont Maple employs a dedicated quality control team to ensure consistent syrup taste and texture. Final products are bottled on high-speed filling lines capable of bottling up to 60,000 gallons per day.
The Slopeside brand comprises about 15% of Vermont Maple’s total sales. In addition to the original syrup, they have introduced new flavors including berry, cinnamon, and sugar free options.
Slopeside is distributed directly to major grocery chains across all 50 states. Key retail partners include Walmart, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Piggly Wiggly, and Albertsons. The syrup is also available through online retailers like Amazon.
Financial performance
As a private company, Vermont Maple does not disclose detailed financial results. However, some insights can be gleaned from industry data:
– Pancake syrup is estimated to be a $700 million market in the US.
– Slopeside holds nearly 10% market share, implying around $70 million in annual retail sales.
– Sales have grown steadily at 4% over the past 5 years as pancake consumption has increased.
– Vermont Maple’s total revenue is estimated at around $250 million per year according to PrivCo.
– Slopeside likely contributes $50-75 million in annual revenue for Vermont Maple.
– Profit margins for syrup producers typically range from 25-35%.
– This suggests Slopeside generates $15-25 million in profit for Vermont Maple each year.
So while specific financials are not known, Slopeside appears to be a strong performer generating significant profits through its premium brand positioning and high production efficiency. The brand’s wide consumer recognition in the billion dollar pancake syrup market ensures continued success.
Future outlook
Slopeside syrup seems poised for continued growth as pancake consumption increases across America. Pancake mixes and frozen pancakes are gaining popularity with consumers, creating additional opportunities for syrup sales.
Vermont Maple plans to focus on maintaining Slopeside’s leading brand reputation through consistent quality and smart marketing. Promoting its heritage and American-made appeal can attract new devotees.
Expanding the brand’s ecommerce availability and increasing public visibility through recipe partnerships, endorsements, and social media can also attract younger demographics.
At the same time, Vermont Maple must balance appealing to changing tastes with staying true to Slopeside’s identity. For example, they can develop new flavors and formulations to meet consumer demand for natural or low sugar products. But the classic original syrup remains the keystone.
Vermont Maple hopes to grow Slopeside’s distribution footprint both domestically and abroad. International expansion will rely on finding new markets that appreciate American style pancakes and syrups.
Overall, Slopeside syrup is well positioned to remain the category leader through its trusted brand image, efficient production, and alignment with pancake consumption trends. Loyal customers will continue drizzling this familiar syrup for years to come.
Conclusion
Slopeside syrup has come a long way from its origins in 1950s Colorado. Through various owners and markets, it remains one of America’s most recognizable syrup brands. For over 60 years, families have started their day with a stack of pancakes doused in the familiar maple flavored syrup.
While the Reynolds Brothers created the initial recipe, it was the Lorenz Company that made Slopeside a national sensation. International expansion provided growth but also instability until Vermont Maple returned the brand to its American and family-owned roots.
Today, Slopeside’s home in Vermont keeps this breakfast tradition alive through continued quality, smart marketing, and alignment with evolving consumer preferences. With its strong brand recognition and loyal followers, Slopeside seems destined for many more pancake breakfasts to come.
| Year | Owner |
|---|---|
| Late 1950s | Reynolds Brothers Company |
| Early 1970s | Lorenz Company |
| 1990s | NutriX |
| Early 2000s | Horizon Foods |
| 2007-Present | Vermont Maple Syrup Company |
