Wolf Brand Chili began in 1895 when Lyman T. Davis started selling bowls for five cents from his wagon in Corsicana, Texas. Named after his pet wolf Kaiser Bill, the brand gained fame through creative marketing—including Model T trucks shaped like chili cans and traveling promotions with a live wolf.
After expanding under Quaker Oats in 1957, it became a Texas icon, with chili officially named the state dish in 1977. This flavorful journey tells much more than what’s in your bowl.
From Wagon to Wonder: Lyman Davis’s Corsicana Creation
While many food brands emerge from corporate kitchens, Wolf Brand Chili began with a young entrepreneur and his homemade recipe. In 1895, Lyman T. Davis launched his wagon business, selling chili for just five cents a bowl on Beaton Street in Corsicana, often parked outside the Blue Front Saloon.
Davis’s business quickly gained popularity as locals lined up for steaming bowls served with crackers. By the 1920s, he began canning his chili, first calling it “Lyman’s Famous Chili” before renaming it Wolf Brand Chili in honor of Kaiser Bill.
This humble start marked the birth of what would become a Texas culinary institution, much like how the Yellow Rose became an enduring state symbol.
The Wolf That Inspired a Culinary Icon
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As the chili business grew, the brand needed a memorable identity. Kaiser Bill, Davis’s pet wolf, became the inspiration behind the name and logo. This living mascot wasn’t just a companion—he became a central part of the brand’s story.
Kaiser Bill’s legacy continues today with a bronze statue in Corsicana and the familiar wolf image on every can. Early promotions sometimes featured the wolf in public appearances, traveling across Texas in custom vehicles.
Later owners embraced creative marketing traditions by using Model T Ford trucks shaped like chili cans to promote the brand throughout Texas, showing how Davis’s ingenuity helped make Wolf Brand unforgettable.
Roadside Attractions: Can-Shaped Trucks and Live Wolf Displays
To capture attention, Wolf Brand Chili used both giant can-shaped trucks and live wolf promotions. These moving advertisements created memorable impressions, especially at fairs and roadside stops.
Live wolf displays—sometimes featuring Kaiser Bill’s successors—connected audiences directly to the brand’s history. Today, visitors still stop at the Kaiser Bill statue in Corsicana, with some rubbing the paw for good luck.
The combination of mobile advertising and live mascots made Wolf Brand Chili stand out, helping cement its identity in the Lone Star State.
Their design philosophy mirrored how Farley boat builders created vessels perfectly suited to their environment.
Beyond Texas Borders: The National Expansion
Wolf Brand Chili’s expansion began when J.C. West and Fred Slauson bought the brand in 1924, increasing distribution with the famous can-shaped trucks.
During World War II, demand grew as cans were sent to servicemen overseas. By the early 1950s, Wolf Brand was selling outside Texas in neighboring states, offering both chili with beans and without to suit regional preferences.
Quaker Oats acquired the company in 1957, enabling true nationwide distribution. After later ownership changes, including ConAgra, Wolf Brand remained a fixture in supermarkets across America.
Chili’s Rise to State Food Status
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On May 11, 1977, Governor Dolph Briscoe signed House Concurrent Resolution No. 18, declaring chili the official state dish of Texas.
The move was the result of lobbying by chili supporters who promoted its deep Texas heritage as “the only real bowl of red.” This recognition reflected chili’s role in the state’s history—from cattle drives to community gatherings.
Cookoffs, including the famous Terlingua Championship, have continued to celebrate Texas chili traditions ever since.
Preserving the Original Flavor Through Ownership Changes
From Davis’s sale in 1924 to present-day ownership under ConAgra Brands, Wolf Brand Chili has navigated several corporate transitions. Davis sold the business after oil was discovered on his ranch, but the recipe’s core character was initially preserved.
Some changes came with Quaker Oats’ ownership, including adjustments to production that drew mixed reactions from longtime fans. Despite the closure of the Corsicana plant in 1985, marketing continued to emphasize the brand’s Texas roots and original-style flavor.
Wolf Brand still promotes its over 125-year heritage, keeping Kaiser Bill as the enduring symbol of authenticity.
A Steaming Bowl of Texas Heritage
Few foods embody Texas identity like Wolf Brand Chili—a tradition that started with a street wagon in 1895. From its designation as Texas’s official dish to its place in community history, it remains a cultural touchstone.
In Corsicana, the bronze statue of Kaiser Bill stands as a tribute to the chili’s legacy. When you open a can today, you’re taking part in a story that has connected Texans for generations.
