The famous “57 Varieties” slogan has been a part of Heinz ketchup bottles for over a century.
Many people wonder about its meaning and origin.
H.J. Heinz created the “57 Varieties” slogan as a marketing tactic in 1896, despite the company making more than 57 products at the time. Heinz picked the number 57 because he thought it sounded catchy.
The slogan helped make Heinz a household name in America.
Today, the “57” on Heinz ketchup bottles is more than just a number.
It’s become an iconic part of the brand that people recognize around the world.
The story behind this simple slogan shows how clever marketing can leave a lasting mark on popular culture.
The Origin Story of Heinz
The Heinz company started small but grew into a global brand.
It all began with one man’s vision and a catchy slogan that stuck.
Henry J. Heinz and the Founding of the Company
Henry J. Heinz started his food business in 1869.
He was just 25 years old.
Heinz sold horseradish in clear bottles to show its quality.
The company grew fast.
By 1888, Heinz moved operations to Pittsburgh.
This city became the heart of Heinz’s empire.
Heinz believed in making good food.
He wanted clean factories and happy workers.
These ideas were new at the time.
The company kept growing.
Soon, Heinz was selling many products.
Ketchup became a star item.
The Birth of ’57 Varieties’
The famous “57 Varieties” slogan came from a train ride.
In 1896, Heinz saw an ad for “21 styles of shoes” in New York.
He liked the idea.
Heinz counted his products.
He had over 60! But he thought 57 sounded better.
It was just for marketing.
But it worked.
People remembered it.
Heinz put “57 Varieties” on all his products.
It’s still on Heinz ketchup bottles today.
The slogan helped Heinz stand out.
It made people think Heinz had lots of choices.
Product Expansion Over Time
Heinz grew from a single product to a global food empire.
The company added new items and categories as it expanded over many decades.
Bottled Horseradish to Processed Foods
Heinz started with bottled horseradish in 1869.
This was their first product.
They soon added pickles, vinegar, and ketchup.
Ketchup became their most famous item.
By the early 1900s, Heinz made many processed foods.
These included baked beans, soups, and pasta sauces.
Canned spaghetti was a hit.
So were bottled olives and olive oil.
The company kept growing its product line.
They added new categories like baby food and boxed meals.
Heinz wanted to be in every part of the grocery store.
Diversifying the Heinz Product Line
Heinz added more variety to existing product types.
For ketchup, they made spicy and no-sugar versions.
They also created new condiments like mustard and mayo.
Peanut butter joined the Heinz family in the mid-1900s.
So did frozen foods and microwaveable meals.
Heinz bought other food brands too.
This gave them even more products.
By 1969, Heinz had over 1,100 products.
That was way more than the famous “57 varieties”.
But they kept the slogan anyway.
It was too well-known to change.
Evolution of Marketing and Advertising
Heinz’s “57 Varieties” slogan became a marketing sensation.
It stuck in people’s minds and helped make Heinz a household name.
The company used clever tactics to keep their brand popular over the years.
Catchiness of the ’57 Varieties’ Slogan
The “57 Varieties” phrase was easy to remember.
It cemented Heinz in American food culture.
People loved saying it, even though Heinz made more than 57 products.
The number 57 wasn’t picked by accident.
H.J. Heinz chose it after seeing an ad for “21 Styles of Shoes”.
He thought a number would make his brand stand out.
The slogan worked so well, Heinz kept using it for decades.
It’s still on ketchup bottles today.
This shows how a simple idea can become a big part of a company’s identity.
Endorsements and Cultural References
Heinz got creative with how they spread their message.
They used famous people to help sell their products.
Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio appeared in Heinz ads, making the brand seem All-American.
The “57 Varieties” phrase popped up in movies and songs too.
It was mentioned in “The Manchurian Candidate”, a popular film.
Jimmy Buffett sang about it in “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.
These references kept Heinz in people’s minds.
It wasn’t just about food anymore.
Heinz had become part of American culture.
This smart marketing helped Heinz stay popular for over a century.
Significance of the Number 57
The number 57 has a special place in Heinz history.
It’s not just a random digit, but a carefully chosen figure with marketing genius behind it.
The Lucky Number and Psychological Influence
H.J. Heinz picked 57 as his company’s magic number.
He thought it sounded catchy and would stick in people’s minds.
Heinz was right – the number has become iconic.
The company wasn’t actually making 57 products when they started using this slogan.
They had more! But 57 felt lucky to Heinz.
He believed 7 was a powerful digit.
It shows up in many cultures as a lucky number.
The 5 added a nice ring to it.
This combo created a memorable brand identity.
It’s still on Heinz bottles today, over 100 years later.
The Debate Over Literal Accuracy
Some folks wonder if “57 varieties” was ever true. Heinz had over 60 products when they started using the slogan in 1896.
Today, Heinz makes hundreds of items.
Yet the 57 stays put.
It’s more about tradition now than counting products.
Fact-checking website Snopes looked into this.
They found the number was always more about marketing than math.
So while not literally accurate, 57 remains a key part of Heinz branding.
It’s a perfect example of how a catchy slogan can outlive its original meaning.
Cultural and Historical Impact
Heinz’s “57 Varieties” slogan left a lasting mark on American food culture.
The company’s products and marketing became closely tied to U.S. history and traditions.
Heinz in American Food Culture
Heinz ketchup became a staple of American cuisine.
The iconic glass bottle and familiar logo were present at family dinners and picnics across the country.
Heinz products played a role in changing eating habits.
They made preserved foods more accessible and popular.
The company’s advertising campaigns, like the “57 Varieties” slogan, became part of everyday language.
Sports fans might recognize Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This naming partnership shows how deeply Heinz is woven into local culture.
Representation in Museums and History Centers
The Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh celebrates the company’s impact.
Visitors can see vintage ads, packaging, and learn about Heinz’s innovations.
The museum showcases how Heinz shaped food production and marketing.
Exhibits highlight the company’s role in Western Pennsylvania‘s growth.
Curator Emily Ruby helps preserve Heinz’s legacy.
Her work ensures future generations understand the company’s importance in American history.
Design and Packaging Innovations
Heinz has always been at the forefront of packaging design.
The company’s innovative approach has shaped how we use and think about condiments today.
The Iconic Heinz Ketchup Bottle
The Heinz ketchup bottle is a true design classic.
Its shape is instantly recognizable to people around the world.
The glass bottle has a unique octagonal design.
This shape makes it easy to grip and pour.
The narrow neck helps control the flow of ketchup.
Heinz has kept the “57 varieties” slogan on its bottles for over a century.
This shows how important brand identity is to the company.
In recent years, Heinz has updated its packaging while keeping the classic look.
They’ve introduced squeezable plastic bottles for easier use.
Innovations in Food Packaging
Heinz hasn’t stopped innovating with just ketchup bottles.
They’ve made improvements across their product line.
The company has focused on making packaging more user-friendly.
They’ve created easy-open lids and resealable containers.
Heinz has also worked on making their packaging more eco-friendly.
They’ve reduced the amount of plastic used in their bottles.
Heinz spent years redesigning their ketchup bottle cap.
The new cap makes it easier to control how much ketchup comes out.
These changes show how Heinz keeps improving their products.
They focus on making things better for customers and the environment.
Global Expansion and Factories
Heinz grew from a small Pittsburgh business into a worldwide brand.
The company built factories across the globe and showed off its products at international exhibitions.
From Pittsburgh to the World
H.J. Heinz Company started in Pittsburgh but didn’t stay there for long.
In 1886, Heinz opened its first sales office outside of Pittsburgh in New York City.
This move helped the company reach more customers.
Heinz then set its sights on Europe.
The company opened its first foreign factory in England in 1905.
This factory helped Heinz serve the British market better.
Over time, Heinz built more factories in other countries.
Each factory made products that fit local tastes.
For example, the ketchup sold in the Netherlands might taste a bit different from the U.S. version.
Factories and World’s Fairs
Heinz didn’t just build factories.
The company also used big events to show off its products.
World’s fairs were perfect for this.
At the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, Heinz had a big display.
Visitors could see how the company made its famous pickles.
This helped people trust Heinz products more.
Heinz kept going to world’s fairs after that.
These events let people from all over try Heinz foods.
It was a smart way to get new customers in different countries.
The company’s factories and fair displays worked together.
Heinz could make products locally and then show them off to the world.
The Journey of Heinz Ketchup
Heinz ketchup has become a beloved condiment worldwide.
Its story spans over a century of innovation and quality.
From Vinegar and Tomatoes to the Kitchen Staple
H.J. Heinz started making ketchup in 1876.
He used ripe tomatoes, vinegar, and spices to create a unique flavor.
The recipe was a hit with customers.
Heinz made his ketchup stand out by using clear glass bottles.
This showed off the product’s quality and purity.
He also added the iconic keystone label to make it easy to spot on shelves.
The company kept improving its ketchup.
They made it thicker and added more tomato solids.
This gave it a richer taste that people loved.
Ketchup as a Quintessential Heinz Product
Ketchup became Heinz’s flagship product.
It was so popular that it helped the company grow rapidly.
The famous “57 varieties” slogan appeared on ketchup bottles in 1896.
But this was just clever marketing.
Heinz actually made over 60 products at the time!
Heinz ketchup is now sold in over 140 countries.
It’s loved for its thick texture and tangy-sweet taste.
The recipe has stayed mostly the same for over 140 years.
Today, Heinz ketchup is more than just a condiment.
It’s a cultural icon that brings back memories of family meals and backyard barbecues.
Mergers and Current Brand Status
Heinz has changed a lot over the years.
It joined with Kraft to make a big food company.
People still love Heinz ketchup and other products.
Kraft Heinz and Industry Position
In 2015, Heinz merged with Kraft Foods.
This made a huge food and drink company called Kraft Heinz.
It’s now one of the biggest food companies in the world.
Kraft Heinz sells lots of popular brands.
These include:
- Oscar Mayer meats
- Kraft cheese
- Jell-O desserts
- Maxwell House coffee
The merger helped Heinz grow even bigger.
But it also faced some challenges.
Food trends are changing.
Many people want healthier options now.
Heinz Today: Brand and Consumer Relationship
Heinz keeps a strong bond with shoppers.
Its ketchup is still a favorite in many homes.
The company tries new things to stay popular.
Some ways Heinz connects with people:
- Fun bottle designs
- New flavors of ketchup
- Eco-friendly packaging
Heinz also uses its history to appeal to customers.
The “57 varieties” slogan is still on bottles.
This reminds people of the brand’s long history.
Social media helps Heinz talk to fans.
They share recipes and fun posts.
This keeps the brand feeling fresh and friendly.
Engagement with Communities and Fans
Heinz has built strong connections with communities and fans through local ties and creative campaigns.
The company’s presence extends beyond food products into sports and interactive marketing efforts.
Pittsburgh, Sports, and the Heinz Field
Heinz has deep roots in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The city is home to Heinz Field, where the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers play.
This stadium opened in 2001, cementing Heinz’s link to sports culture.
The field showcases giant Heinz ketchup bottles.
These light up when the Steelers score.
Fans love this unique feature.
It makes the game experience more fun and memorable.
Heinz also supports local events in Pittsburgh.
They sponsor food festivals and community programs.
This helps them stay connected to their hometown.
Interactive Campaigns and Calls to Action
Heinz engages fans through clever marketing.
They create fun challenges and contests on social media.
For example, one popular campaign asked people to find “57” hidden in everyday objects.
The company also uses holidays to connect with customers.
On National Pickle Day, they share pickle recipes and trivia.
This gets people excited about Heinz products in new ways.
Heinz also encourages fans to share photos of their food creations.
They might ask people to show off their best hot dog toppings.
This builds a sense of community around their brand.