About Us
Where Tradition Meets Timeless Taste
History tastes better with crackers—discover OTC’s story.
Discover the Flavors of OTC Crackers!
At OTC Crackers, we believe that great taste never goes out of style. That’s why, for over a century and a half, we’ve stayed true to what makes our crackers special—quality ingredients, a carefully perfected slow-baking process, and a commitment to crunch.
Our story began in 1847, when Adam Exton, an English immigrant, introduced the first OTC® Oyster Crackers in Trenton, New Jersey. A year later, in 1848, Ezekiel Pullen began baking his own version, the Original Trenton Cracker, selling them from the back of his wagon as he made his way through Trenton’s streets.
As America’s love for oysters grew in the 1860s and 1870s, so did the demand for OTC Crackers. They became a staple in seafood restaurants and local stores, where they were sold from wooden barrels. During the Civil War, the Exton company supplied its crackers to the Union army, further cementing their place in American food history.
The two rival cracker businesses merged in 1962, officially uniting under the Original Trenton Cracker (OTC) name. Over the years, ownership changed hands, but the commitment to quality remained. After a brief production halt in 2019, OTC Crackers returned stronger than ever in 2023, ensuring that generations to come can continue to enjoy their signature crunch
The OTC History
A Legacy of Crunch Since 1847
The story of OTC Crackers dates back to 1847, when Adam Exton founded A. Exton & Co. in Trenton, New Jersey, introducing the first oyster crackers made specifically for oyster stews. Just a year later, Ezekiel Pullen launched the Pullen Cracker Co., baking his own version of the Original Trenton Cracker in his home kitchen and selling them from his wagon.
As oyster houses flourished in the mid-1800s, both companies became wildly popular, with OTC Crackers becoming a seafood staple. During the Civil War, Exton’s crackers were even supplied to Union soldiers, making them part of American history.
In 1887, Christopher Cartlidge acquired the Pullen Cracker Co. and renamed it the Original Trenton Cracker Company (OTC). Decades later, in 1962, the Cartlidge family bought A. Exton & Co., officially bringing the two legendary brands together as one.
Ownership of OTC Crackers has changed over the years:
- 1993 – Acquired by Specialty Brands
- 2010 – Purchased by Panorama Foods
- 2019 – Production temporarily halted
- 2022 – Acquired by Continuum Foods
- 2025 – OTC Crackers were relaunched, bringing back the classic, slow-baked crunch that has been loved for generations.
Generations change. Our crunch doesn’t.
