January 2026: Roll that Beautiful Bean Footage – Visiting Bush’s Baked Beans

Have you ever watched the Bush’s Baked Beans commercials and thought about how charming they are—and how much you’d love to meet Duke and the Bush family? Did you know that Bush’s Baked Beans started right here in East Tennessee, about an hour outside Knoxville and just 30 minutes from Pigeon Forge? That’s right—not only is East Tennessee home to Dolly Parton, but it’s also home to the famous baked beans. But the company didn’t start out in the baked beans business.

Bush’s Baked Beans actually began as a cannery in 1908, producing canned tomatoes. From there, it grew into a vegetable canning company with facilities around the United States, including the original plant in Chestnut Hill, TN, and another local plant in Clinton, TN. But in 1969, the company turned its focus entirely to baked beans, officially becoming Bush’s Baked Beans.

Today, the company still operates the Chestnut Hill facility, along with other plants across the country. Visitors can explore a general store, enjoy a cafe, tour the museum, and dive into the history of the Bush family and their humble beginnings in the Smoky Mountains foothills. On occasion, Duke himself will be on site for meet-and-greets, and the original home of founder A.J. Bush is open for tours—check the website for details and dates.

The museum is packed with fascinating details about the Bush family and the company’s evolution—from its early days as a canning business to its leap into baked beans. Knowledgeable tour guides and docents are on hand to answer questions, and it’s worth your time to engage with them. One docent we spoke with had worked for the company for 40 years! Rumor has it that the company is now led by the fourth generation of Bush family members. While not all of them live locally, the headquarters and offices remain in the heart of Knoxville.

And yes, Jay from the commercials is the great-grandson of founder A.J. Bush. Jay and his dog, Duke, became household names thanks to the iconic phrase: “Roll that Beautiful Bean Footage.” The recipe itself remains a closely guarded family secret—you won’t find it in the store, museum, or cafe.

Bush’s Baked Beans also takes sustainability seriously. The company reuses water, uses steel cans, sources U.S.-grown beans, and manufactures all products domestically. They also operate a facility in Canada, using Canadian maple syrup for products made there. You can learn more about their sustainability initiatives on the company’s website.

While visiting, don’t miss the cafe. You’ll get a sample of the day’s bean selection (ours was the Bluey’s Bean special). We tried the Tennessee Pimento Cheese sandwich with their twist on curly fries—the seasoned, thick cut twisted fries—and we were not disappointed. The cafe is sprinkled with memorabilia, so take a moment to enjoy that, too. And don’t skip dessert! Old-fashioned milkshakes, pies, and more await.

Visiting Bush’s Baked Beans is a quirky, fun, and delicious little detour in East Tennessee—especially if you’ve ever wanted to roll that beautiful bean footage yourself. Oh and did we mention that the museum is FREE?

Did you visit Bush’s Baked Beans? Know of some place we should visit? Send us a message or tag us on Instagram @destinationtnvalley! We’re always on the hunt for new spots to feature in our Tennessee Valley Guide series.

About the Author:

Kristin is the creative behind Chicken Librarian where she shares real-life stories, seasonal living inspiration, and her love for all things local. A freelance blogger and storyteller, she’s been chronicling her journey since 2017 at chickenlibrarian.com. Through her writing, Kristin celebrates slower living, community, and the simple beauty found in everyday moments — from small-town bakeries to life on her own farmstead.