Home / About Us
Harry J Hoenselaar founder of the Honey Baked Ham Company

About
The Honey Baked Ham® Company

In 1957, when Harry J. Hoenselaar opened the first HoneyBaked store in Detroit, Michigan, like most great companies, he did so because he believed in an idea.

HoneyBaked Ham Badge

An idea that produced what is regarded today as the world's best ham. Using the highest quality bone-in smoked ham, Harry created a special curing and cooking procedure, bringing out a one-of-a-kind taste that can only be described as perfection.

With its sweet, crunchy glaze enhancing the flavor of the bone-in gourmet ham, Harry's patented spiral-slicing process made Honey Baked Ham the easy-to-serve centerpiece, becoming an instant staple at holiday dinners, Easter celebrations and meaningful meals shared and savored by family and friends.

Honey Baked Ham co spiral sliced ham patent photo

All these years later, the Honey Baked Ham Company has stayed within the Hoenselaar family and so has the commitment to make every ham the same way Harry did - one at a time. Along with the unmistakable Honey Baked Ham, that guarantee of satisfaction has grown to include homemade side dishes, classic roasted turkeys, and save-room-for worthy desserts that meet our strict standards.

The Honey Baked Ham Company proudly stands behind each and every one of our products and takes pride in serving our customers, whether it's the height of holiday season or just a simple lunch at the cafe.

It's that commitment to premium quality that lets us say when you serve The Authentic Honey Baked Ham®, it's always a special occasion.

Find a store near you to shop our HoneyBaked® products, grab lunch and learn about catering.

Shop our online selection of HoneyBaked® products and have them shipped to your door.

HoneyBaked Ham Timeline Photo 1 HoneyBaked Ham Timeline Photo 2 The Honey Baked Ham Company lit store sign The Honey Baked Ham Company logo
HoneyBaked Ham Timeline Photo 1

The Early Years

In 1936, Harry J. Hoenselaar built a prototype of what was to become the first spiral-slicing machine. By 1944, he filed his first patent. It wasn't until 1957 that Harry opened the first HoneyBaked® Store in Detroit, Michigan. Officially bringing together his patented spiral slicer with The Honey Baked Ham® Company.

HoneyBaked Ham Timeline Photo 2 HoneyBaked Ham Company lit store sign

Expansion Years

Harry's children were the ones who developed the brand’s broader recognition by growing its presence in their spheres of influence over the last decades. The Honey Baked Ham Company continues to be a family-owned business and serve customers online and at more than 400 year round retail locations in 40 states across the United States.

HoneyBaked Ham Company logo

Looking Forward

After six decades of serving The World’s Best Ham™, The Honey Baked Ham Company is entering into a new era while still honoring our heritage. Our brand refresh continues to implement burgundy, while introducing a warm orange. We are excited for new menu innovations and elevating the customers' experience as we look forward to the next six decades.

Our Values

love what we do icon

LOVE WHAT WE DO

HoneyBaked® is a family. Our commitment to our people, our product, and brand shows in everything we do.

serve others icon

SERVE OTHERS

We believe in “we” over “me”. We pay it forward, showing genuine care and respect for others.

do right icon

DO THE RIGHT THING

Trust, quality and doing the right thing guide our decisions even when no one is watching. We’re committed to making a difference and leaving things better than we found them.

aim high icon

AIM HIGH

We’re focused on excellence and evolving the business through hard work and trying new things. We encourage every team member to learn, innovate and grow.

keep it fun icon

KEEP IT FUN

We celebrate the big and little things in life. We keep it fun and don’t take ourselves too seriously. #notstuffy