In 1911, Wilfrid Gadoua purchased the bakery where he worked, in Napierville. It was more than just a transaction; it would quickly become a family vocation, destined to shape the future of four generations of Gadoua family members over the next 100 years.

In 1930, Wilfrid’s son, Jean A. Gadoua, took over the bakery and managed it until his death in the 60’s. For the Gadoua family, baking and client services are things you have to learn for yourself… one day at a time. One great example happened in the 50s when, at the request of his clients, Jean A. Gadoua made the decision to purchase a slicing and bagging machine to offer something that had never been seen before in Napierville: sliced bread in a bag! This was the first of a long tradition of innovations that would mark Gadoua and its product line.

When John A. Gadoua passed away, his wife, Thérèse took control of the company up until the end of the 70’s, managing it in true Gadoua fashion. As young children, her boys Marcel and Robert didn’t amuse themselves with play dough like the other kids. They had their hands in real dough, kneading it and baking it like with pride and passion, just like their parents. Their experience soon paid off, and they took their rightful place in the company in the mid-70’s, and began leading Gadoua into the future.

In the 80’s, the fourth generation of Gadouas joined the company (Pascal, Philippe, Jean and Marc). The family had a clear vision: to bake and distribute bread throughout the entire province of Québec.

To make their dream come true, several major transactions would have to take place. First, the 1985 purchase of the Boulangerie de Saint-Thomas, located near Joliette. Then in 1990, a second purchase: that of the Boulangerie Saint-Augustin, in a suburb of Québec City. With these two acquisitions, Gadoua became the third largest baker in Québec. In 1991, the bakery in Napierville underwent major renovations and later the same year, Gadoua purchased the Boulangerie de Saint-Hyacinthe.

The 90s were a period of consolidations and fusions in the baking industry. With speed and vision, Gadoua soon became the single-largest Québec-owned bakery. Consistency, quality products, a feeling of belonging and ownership on the part of the employees and impeccable client services are key ingredients in this incredible, ongoing family success story.

Gadoua was the first baker to advertise its products with radio and television ads. Who can forget those first ads with Lise Dion? Seizing upon a wave of popularity, Gadoua continued to touch the hearts of Quebeckers, building brand awareness and appreciation throughout the province.

Today, one hundred years young, Gadoua offers a wide variety of breads, bagels, rolls and other fresh bakery products across Québec and Ontario.