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The history of Lajkonik dates back to 1910 when Austrian Henryk Franck from Linz established Fabrykę Surogatów Kawowych (Coffee Surrogates Factory) Henryk Franck and Sons located in Skawina. At the beginning the production was focused on desiccating, grinding and roasting chicory. The production of ersatz coffee started in 1911. The plant developed fast. Before World War II the factory employed 658 people and the annual output of coffee products reached 8200 tons. The factory in Skawina was then the largest and unrivalled producer in this field. The factory limited the range of ersatz coffee during the war, but in spite of the circumstances production increased to almost 10,000 tons.

In 1948 the factory was nationalised, and its name changed to Fabryka Środków Kawowych (Coffee Products Factory). In the following years, alongside the basic production, the production of pastas, pickles, vanilla sugar, puddings, instant soups and seasonings started as well. Hence the name given in 1959 – Skawińskie Zakłady Koncentratów Spożywczych (Skawina Food Concentrate Plant).

Intensive development of the company took place in the 70’s. In 1970 salt stick technology was imported to Poland, in 1971 the technology for producing an instant extract of ersatz coffee called Inka was imported, and in 1975 a pastry hall was built together with production lines.

Extreme changes have occurred over the last 10 years. In 1991 the nationalised plant Skawińskie Zakłady Koncentratów Spożywczych was transformed into a company wholly owned by the State Treasury called Food Concentrate S.A. In 1993 the plant was purchased by Bahlsen KG Hanower. The new owner began an intensive capital expenditure. The halls were equipped with modern machinery as well as savoury baking and pastry production lines. A finished goods warehouse was set up as well as a modern hall where the salt sticks and crackers are still produced. There was a flow of know-how in technology, organization and management in parallel with the large investments. In 1998 the company, under the name of Lajkonik Snacks S.A., obtained an ISO 9001 Certificate. Nowadays, the plant works in accordance with European standards and in addition to ISO fulfills IFS norms (International Food Standard), BRC (Global Food Standard) and has a HACCP system.

In 1999 the part of the plant producing cookies was separated from Lajkonik Snacks S.A. Five years later Lajkonik Snacks S.A. was transformed into another form of commercial company, GmbH Limited Partnership. Currently Lajkonik produces 18,000 tons of salt sticks, pretzels and crackers annually. Lajkonik is the leader on the Polish market in each of these segments of savoury baking.