Story of Linkosuo

A touch of ingenuity, a bucket of courage. This is how the unique story of Linkosuo and the most beloved tastes of Finns were born.

The story of Linkosuo originated from Bakery Emmaus. It was founded by Aarne and Elsa Linkosuo in the modest courtyard of a hotel in Tampere. The year was 1936. Although times were tough, the couple’s team worked. Aarne worked hard on the patisserie side, while Elsa focused on the store. This spirit of partnership is still visible in the Linkosuo family business even today.

The work paid off. The people of Tampere fell in love with Aarne and Elsa’s bakery, which grew in popularity like dough. The bakery expanded into a limited company in the 1950s, and soon the cafés in Linkosuo also opened their doors. Of course, they became breads and other flavors developed by Aarne, from his own bakery. 

Time to celebrate! Alongside the bakery and cafés, party service operations developed. Who else would know better about good food and atmosphere than Aarne and Elsa?   

Passion grew ideas. Aarne wondered what to do with the pieces of rye hole bread. It would be great to come up with a whole new purpose for them. This is how Väinämöinen’s Palttoonapit, the world’s first snack product made from rye bread waste, was born. From the crunchy and varied snacks, the journey to Linkosso to the international market began.

New ideas were born from the ideas. The sheet metal button was followed by the popular Rye Rips and Rye Chips, which are now crumbled even in China. The expanded Mannakorvi bakery in Linkosuo was also a pioneer of its time in Finland. In a modern and industrialized bakery, for example, torn fresh rye bread originated. The log boy and later Lunch Bread were soon tasted all over the country.

The story of Aarne and Elsa lives on. The courage to try something completely new is still one of the most significant core values for Linkosuo today. It determines the day-to-day operations of both Linkosuon Leipomo Oy, Linkosuon Kahvila Oy and the parent company Linkosuo Oy. When we design a new one together, we often think about what idea Aarne would bring to the table at this point. (Probably many!)