TV series
The fascinating stories of the families behind the food that built America, those who used brains, muscle, blood, sweat and tears to get to America's heart through its stomach, those who invented new technologies and helped win wars.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
The Food That Built America is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Disney+, Hulu, Philo, Prime Video, Hoopla, Spectrum On Demand, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
The fascinating stories of the families behind the food that built America, those who used brains, muscle, blood, sweat and tears to get to America's heart through its stomach, those who invented new technologies and helped win wars.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
High School friends see an alternative to fast food with the "submarine" sandwich. But they are quickly met with the fierce competition of a new submarine joint, started by a physicist, that is trying to perfect the art of the franchise, and will go on to be the biggest restaurant chain in the world.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 2
In the late 1800s, German immigrants Joseph Schlitz and Captain Frederick Pabst find themselves in a battle for beer dominance. In their fight for one upmanship they will help create the most popular alcoholic beverage on the planet, introduce lager beer to the nation, and become two of the biggest companies on Earth for half a century.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 3
When a commercial caterer realizes his two best selling items are donuts and coffee, he joins forces with his brother-in-law to create a revolutionary donut chain; soon a rivalry starts with a beloved Southern-based donut shop.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 4
When his ice cream truck breaks down, Tom Carvel discovers that half-melted ice cream is a surefire hit with customers.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 5
In a quest to dominate the growing commercial bread industry, Lee Marshall bets on a new kind of white loaf, unwittingly inspiring a homemaker named Margaret Rudkin to come up with a healthier alternative.
Guest stars Liz Tancredi
Episode 6
Hollywood agent Wally Amos transforms his professional life when he decides to make and sell his own gourmet chocolate chip cookies, and opens America's first cookie store; housewife Debbi Fields opens her homestyle cookie shop in a mall.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 7
When Col. Sanders sells his company to investors in 1964, the new owners identify a rising star within the organization: Dave Thomas.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 8
Small town farmer Orville Redenbacher has a lifelong dream of creating the perfect popcorn kernel, leading to the first significant development of popcorn in thousands of years which he sells nationwide, eventually pitting him against industry rivals for supremacy of America’s oldest snack.
Guest stars Justin Andrew Davis
Episode 9
Restaurateur Glen Bell works to create a burger alternative for the fast-food market and after several setbacks goes on to help introduce the taco to America; two brothers look to beat the burger by betting that a roast beef sandwich can compete.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 10
Former wrestler Rocky Aoki and a perfume salesman become the unlikely fathers of a casual dining revolution when they open different establishments in the heart of New York City: one of America's first Japanese restaurants and a swinging singles bar.
Guest stars Nobuaki Shimamoto
Episode 11
Martha Entenmann takes the reins of her late husband's baking company and grows it into a national powerhouse; a married couple bankrupt one bakery, but succeed their second time around with a revolutionary way to sell snack cakes.
Where to watch The Food That Built America
Episode 12
Hector and Mario Boiardi open an Italian restaurant in Cleveland in 1924 and soon introduce Italian food to Americans; the brothers eventually find themselves in competition with James Kraft and his newest offering, macaroni and cheese.
Where to watch The Food That Built AmericaEpisode information updated Jul 23, 2026
Jon LevineDick McDonald
Campbell ScottNarrator (voice)
Adam RichmanSelf - Tv Host
Jason LiebigSelf - Brand Historian
Carlos MorrowTourist 3
Brandon FoxJim Monoghan
Justin Andrew DavisAd Exec
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