January 20th, 2018

Delivery Trucks for Byrd Cookie Company

It is a wonder when a company survives a lifetime but when a company is about to enter a fifth generation it is an elite company. That would be the description of the Byrd Cookie Company founded in 1924 and still going strong. Ninety-three years ago Ben T. Byrd, Sr. began baking cookies in Savannah. He would pack them in wood crates and deliver them to markets across Savannah in a Model T Ford truck. People of Savannah and visitors would see him and his cookies coming and would stop and have a taste of what became called “Byrd’s Famous Cookies”.
The business grew and Byrd’s son BT Byrd, Jr took over from his father. Byrd Jr. would earn his nickname “Cookie Byrd” as he took the company to a new level. He started the practice of packing in what would become the signature packaging in tins. Then came the Benne Wafer and the Benne Seed and the business began to ship all over the Unite States.
When it came time for Byrd Jr. to pass the business on it went to his daughter and son-in- law Kay and Benny Curl. The company continued to grow and they were responsible for the company’s all-time best seller and my favorite: Key Lime Coolers. Nothing says Savannah like Key Lime. Its fame, besides being the best seller, won the Dessert of the Year Award at the NASFT Fancy Food Show.
Benny Curl was named by Southern Living Magazine “Outstanding Southerner”. He was also inducted into the Specialty Food Association’s Hall of Fame for his service in the industry.
Today under Stephanie Lindley’s (fourth generation) leadership the company makes 58,000 cookies an hour or 143 million cookies a year. That is a mountain of cookies made at their warehouse on Waters Avenue. They supply a wide range of major retailers with their delights including LL Bean, Bergdorf Goodman and Delta Airlines. The company also creates private label items for companies including Neiman-Marcus, Ritz-Carlton and Cumberland Farms. International sales are in six continents. They have even received the kosher seal of approval from the largest kosher certification agency.
But never being satisfied with a Byrd in hand, the company is currently undergoing a four million dollar expansion. They are preparing for increased sales and the future. Jamie Lindley, the fifth generation, has graduated from the University of Georgia with a business degree. He has also worked in every department in the company as he prepares to become the CEO. You University of Georgia football fans might recognize him. He is a former UGA kicker where he did not miss an extra point.
 
So people line up for the Famous Byrd Cookie Companies offerings of Scotch Oatmeal, Key Lime Coolers, Ginger Snaps, Lemon & Butter, Peach, Chocolate and Chocolate Chip and the list goes on. And that (wait for it) is the way the cookie crumbles for five generations and ninety-three years.

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Inside a Byrd Cookie Company Store

A Tin Box of Lime Cooler Cookies