in the late 1970s, pete and laura wakeman, college students and founders of great harvest, set up a roadside stand and began baking fresh-ground whole wheat bread in durham, connecticut. after graduation, they opened the first great harvest company in great falls, montana in 1976. in 1978, the second bakery opened near kalispell, montana, then jacque sanchez opened a third in spokane, washington, which is still in business. following this, a franchise office was established in 1983. great harvest became the nation's first whole grain bread franchise. great harvest is led today by president and ceo mike ferretti.