making life's moments sweeter
Our Story
1945
In October 1945, Bill and Rose McLain opened McLain’s in the neighborhood of Waldo, with their son Jack.
1945-2000s
Becoming KC's Bakery
McLain’s became a neighborhood bakery for many people in Kansas City. With items like the chocolate cupcookie, German chocolate coffee cakes, butter rolls, cookies, and more–McLain’s was becoming part of many Kansas Citians' lives. Along with pastries and cookies, cakes were also a quintessential item at McLain’s. For weddings, birthdays, holidays, and all the celebrations in between, McLain’s would be there to help make moments sweeter.
2011
Relocation
After operating on Wornall Road for over 65 years, McLain’s Bakery moved to the corner of Gregory and Grand in September 2011.
2014
New Ownership
The Hirleman family learned about the opportunity of acquiring McLain’s in late December 2013. Mollie wanted to open a bakery, and Jeff wanted to open a coffee shop, so they decided to pursue ownership with the help of their parents, aunt and uncle. The McLain family had built a legacy over 60 years, and it felt like a remarkable opportunity to continue it. In March 2014, the purchase was complete, and the journey of growing McLain’s brand began.
2016-2022
Expansion + Growth
McLain’s expanded beyond its original Waldo bakery, growing into a multi-location bakery and café brand across the Kansas City metro and beyond. New “McLain’s Market” locations opened in Overland Park, Shawnee, Lawrence, South Overland Park (Stanley), and North Kansas City, allowing the business to reach new neighborhoods while maintaining its classic recipes and community-focused feel.
2019
Sway Coffee Roasters
In 2019 we launched our coffee brand Sway Coffee Roasters. We purchased a small roaster and the operation lived in the back of whichever McLain’s location had the space. In 2022, we found a spot in Rosedale, KS, that would serve as our roasting space and Sway’s first retail coffee shop.
2020-2025
Continued Growth
We continued opening stores across the KC Metro area: Shawnee (2020) Lawrence #2 (2022) Stanley (2023), NKC (2024), in late 2025 we sold our Lawrence store to two longtime employees of McLain’s to start their own adventure!
2025-Present
The Future of McLain's
Our highest priority is our staff, who are the faces and hearts of McLain’s. They are the heart of our business, and we are committed to giving back for their hard work. We strive to be a work environment with great culture, compensation, and opportunities.
Our highest priorities
Staff
First, and our highest priority, is our staff who are the faces and hearts of McLain's. They are the heart of our business, and we are committed to extending our enjoyments and benefits to all that work with us. We strive to provide conversations regarding operations for our employees and a work environment with culture, compensation, and opportunities.
Guests
Second, are our guests. Whether enjoying a meal, picking up a wedding cake, or stopping in for a sweet treat, we hope we can make your day sweeter. Personal interactions are priceless, which is why we strive to provide an exceptional guest experience to all who visit McLain’s.
Gathering
Finally, we want to be a place for the community to gather. When we took ownership, this was one of the first goals we envisioned for the future of McLain’s. We wanted to figure out how McLain’s could be a place for everyone to enjoy. Whether it’s someone stopping by for coffee on the way to work, first outing with a new baby, meeting with family and friends, or hosting celebrations, McLain’s is a place for bringing people together.