In 1886, Alessandro Gonnella arrived in Chicago from Barga, Italy, with little more than a family recipe and a singular dream. He opened a tiny storefront on DeKoven Street, where he was the only employee—acting as baker, deliveryman, and accountant all at once. The neighborhood soon grew to love the scent of his wood-fired oven, and by 1896, the business had expanded enough for his wife, Marianna, to join him from Italy.

As the city of Chicago grew, so did Gonnella. By the 1910s, horse-drawn wagons made over 200 daily stops, delivering fresh loaves to homes and local beef stands. These wagons eventually became a fleet of motorized trucks, which became a familiar symbol of quality throughout the Midwest. Gonnella French Bread Same-Day Delivery or Pickup

The true turning point came in the 1970s. Facing a changing market, the family pivoted to . This innovation allowed grocery stores to bake Gonnella bread on-site, giving customers that "fresh-from-the-oven" experience across 35 states. Today, after 140 years, the company remains family-owned, still "baking to differ" and serving as the official bread of Chicago icons like Wrigley Field. Gonnella French Bread Same-Day Delivery or Pickup