History of Bakers Square Restaurants

Bakers Square Restaurants began in the early 1970s as a single restaurant called Mrs. C’s in Des Moines, IA. Mrs. C’s served homemade fare of soups, cold sandwiches and fresh baked pie . . . cream pies and double-crusted fruit pies so good they quickly earned a reputation comparable to the pies grandma made.

Word got around and Pillsbury took notice of the pies’ reputation. Soon after, the company purchased Mrs. C’s and named it Poppin’ Fresh Pies. More eateries were opened and before long, demand for the pies outgrew the restaurants’ abilities to bake them. As a result, Pillsbury began making pies at centralized bakeries to assure fresh pies were always available.

In 1983, VICORP Restaurants, Inc., of Denver, CO owner and franchisor of Village Inn Restaurants, purchased Poppin’ Fresh Pies and their bakeries. VICOM, our production facility and Bakers Square Restaurants were born and the legacy of premium pies endured. Since then, Bakers Square has been the restaurant our guests can count on when they want to relax, celebrate, or simply treat themselves to something special.

Now in our third decade of operation, Bakers Square’s pies are still as good as those grandma makes. In fact, our pies are American Pie Council 2007 Award Winners! They are a perfect accompaniment to our full menu of creative offerings like our Chicken Alfredo Parmanini and Signature Pitas along with classic favorites such as Honey Mustard Chicken or Sirloin Steak.

Today we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner Bakers Square restaurants in California and the Upper Midwest, including the original Mrs. C’s restaurant on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines.

We are proud of our pie heritage and rightfully so. Many Bakers Square pies have placed first in the National Pie Championships, not once, but several times over the years and carry the honor of The Best Pie in America®.

Great Food. Unbelievable Pie.^TM Just a couple of reasons guests visit Bakers Square when they’re hungry for life’s simple pleasures.