The Food That Built America

In 1919, Milton Hershey is king of the chocolate business, but everything changes after World War I when in a rush of competitors spring up -- including his former employee H.B. Reese who will go on to create the best-selling candy on the planet.

In the 1950s, Ray Kroc franchises McDonald's nationwide, but two visionaries looking to cash in on the fast food craze soon become his biggest rival. The two iconic restaurants battle it out to turn their signature sandwiches into a global phenomenon.

At the turn of the 20th century, James Kraft challenges thousands of years of cheese-making tradition with his new cheese innovation. Meanwhile, the Pabst brothers try to keep their beer empire through Prohibition with a shelf-stable cheese of their own.

In the 1950's, two enterprising brothers from Wichita, Kansas aim tor build their restaurant, Pizza Hut, into a franchise empire by boldly introducing America to a little-known Italian dish-pizza. [HISTORY Channel]

In the 1970s, a major cola brand launches a blind taste test marketing plan that takes aim at their biggest competitor. The behemoth brands each select a new leader in a rivalry that will birth countless iconic products and memorable marketing stunts.

Herman Lay takes a regional, small-time chips business to a national scale with his cutting-edge sales techniques and world-changing packaging technology. Meanwhile, a rival innovator invents a new kind of snack chip that challenges Lay's crown.

A business partnership gone wrong leads Adolphus Green to create one of the most-iconic cookie companies in history. When his former partners strike back with a chocolate sandwich cookie, Green retaliates with the help of chocolate titan Milton Hershey.

When a chemist begins working at the Joseph A. Campbell Preserve Company, he invents a condensed soup that brings this luxury to the nation for the first time. Soon after, Henry Heinz becomes a bitter competitor in a race for nationwide soup dominance.

A short-order chef invents the hamburger bun and engineers a new way of making a burger faster than ever before. Meanwhile, Nathan Handwerker invests his life savings into a hot dog stand at Coney Island.

Gilbert Swanson inherits his father's frozen turkey company and partners with a food chemist to create a revolutionary dinner that Americans can heat up at home. Then, Vernon Stouffer innovates frozen food by harnessing a new microwave technology.

A young boy who accidentally discovers a frozen treat on a stick brings an endearing classic to the world, while a candy store owner launches the first-ever ice cream truck. When both men own the patent to the same thing, a massive legal battle ensues.

For generations of Americans, food titans like Henry Heinz, Milton Hershey, James Kraft, Ray Kroc and HB Reese have literally been household names, but you don’t know their stories. [HISTORY Channel]

In the 1970s, Ray Kroc is far ahead of the competition, but when a rival burger chain poaches executive Don Smith, it's war. While Don uses his former franchise to modernize his new brand, Ray brings on a renowned chef to develop the chicken nugget.

As C. E. Doolin and Herman Lay prove the potential of the chips business in the 1950s, their success inspires a chemist to begin work on a secret project. He designs a strong, saddle-shaped chip, and the companies go head-to-head for market dominance.

When candy company president Charles Guth gets shafted by a cola salesman, he buys a rival company. Then, he goes to war with the supplier who wronged him and its new CEO, Robert Woodruff, in a battle that will shape the world of soda for decades to come.

William Wrigley stumbles upon a new product that will kickstart a revolution across industries, but not before he sparks a life-long rivalry.

Dr. John Kellogg and his brother start a breakfast revolution, but creation of an iconic food comes at a cost when the brothers' relationship falters under the weight of their success. Meanwhile, rival C.W. Post takes direct aim at an empire of his own.