C. Cretors & Company

Place: Lebanon

Born: 1852

Death: 1934

Biography:

C. Cretors & Company is an American manufacturing company, specializing in popcorn machines and other concessions equipment. It was established in 1885 with the invention of the first large-scale commercial popcorn machine to pop corn in oil. The company is still owned by the Cretors family and is located in Wood Dale, Illinois. Charles Cretors, the founder of the company, was originally from Lebanon, Ohio and opened a bakery and eventually a confectionery shop. He purchased a peanut roaster for his shop to broaden his product line to include freshly roasted peanuts. Not satisfied with the new machine, he redesigned it for better function. He moved to Chicago seeking success by selling his new machine. He purchased a vendor's license to test his machine in front of his shop. The license, dated December 2, 1885, marks the inception of C. Cretors & Co. Charles Cretors not only invented the popcorn machine but have also invented many other food service machines. The company has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the popcorn industry, introducing innovations that have shaped the industry. The company has been owned and operated by the Cretors family for over 130 years.