Love and Quiches Desserts, Freeport, N.Y., celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The company is known for its gourmet desserts and quiches, which it sells to retailers and foodservice customers throughout the world.

“When I founded this business in 1973, as a humble enterprise based out of my own home kitchen, I never envisioned my ‘hobby’ would grow into what it is today—a multimillion dollar global brand,” says company founder and chairwoman Susan Axelrod (pictured). “It has been a wonderful journey, one filled with change and excitement and, above all, the extraordinary opportunity to share my passion for quality food with so many.”

Since its founding, the company has moved from a kitchen to its current 45,000-sq.-ft. facility; expanded its product line from quiche and pecan pie to a wide array of products, including Greek yogurt cheesecake and a Gourmet Grab & Go snack line; and grown its customer base from Manhattan restaurants to restaurants and retail stores in locations as far reaching as the Middle East and Asia.

Love and Quiches has always recognized the need to give back, too. The company actively supports the Wounded Warriors program, which assists active duty and veteran war fighters; created the Cakes for Kids program, which combats child hunger; and regularly gives to, and participates in, charitable causes, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes.

Forty years of success doesn’t mean Love and Quiches plans to rest on its laurels, though. The company intends to continue to innovate and advance, keeping ahead of trends and, in some cases, creating them. “We will remain on the cutting edge of quality and service by doing what we’ve always done—delivering trend-responsive product lines that speak to the needs of our customers,” says Andy Axelrod, president of the company and Susan’s son.