–The West Bend company famous for their braided pastries is celebrating a special anniversary in 2026 by honoring their past and looking to the future. CEO Darin Massner tells KLGA News that Country Maid Inc. brings in workers from nearly 30 communities across the area to help make an impact around the country.
Today, Country Maid has over 90 full-time employees working at their state-of-the-art facility in West Bend. Massner says it’s a far cry from where the company started in 1991.
Massner was one of only 4 full-time employees at Country Maid when he joined the company in 2000, as most of the company’s work was on a seasonal basis for a number of years.
While Country Maid distributes products in over 45 states today, many of the items produced in West Bend are only available through local fundraisers, a tradition started by Ken and Marlene Banwart. The company was recently recognized nationally for their family-friendly workplace practices, and they have some special activities planned for their employees to celebrate this latest milestone.
