SML Group

The SML Group (**S**amuel **M**ichael Issac **L**ester Ernie Group) is a fictional packaged food company in the 5476 Universe. It is most known for producing Aluminum Toast Crunch.

## History

The SML Group was founded in 1902 by Samuel Issac and Michael Ernie Lester in New York City.

In June 1891, the brothers moved into the city from their upstate farming town, where they worked on their parents' farm. They opened up a small food stand in order to make money. After collecting enough money, they were able to buy a small warehouse in February 1899. This is where they based their company. After a few years of preparations, the company was established in September 1902. Originally called Sam & Mike Food Distributers, the company was completly different from what it is today. Instead of producing and marketing their own food products, Sam & Mike Food Distributers instead helped rural farmers with distributing their foods to markets within the city, distributing meat and vegetable products. In 1914, when World War I started, the company packaged food for the U.S Military.

After the war, Sam and Mike learned about how they can produce their own food products and make tons of money, instead of their current system where most of the money was given back to the farmers. So in May 1918, Sam and Mike completly changed their system, ending deals with their current suppliers and signing off deals with new ones. The warehouse was renovated into a food packaging plant, and Sam & Mike Food Distrubuters started distributing packaged products under their own names. Their first lines of food consisted of canned meats, canned vegetables, and other packaged products. One of the biggest things done during this time was the company's production of Aluminum Toast Crunch, which Sam and Mike started producing in July 1918. The brothers changed the name to Samuel Michael Issac Lester Ernie Group in August, what it still is today. In October 1929, the company took a worrying dive during the onslaught of the Great Depression. They produced food for soup kitchens, and with what seems to be a grim future ahead, got diverted due to America's involvement in World War II, where the company produced military food rations, just like in World War I. The company was saved by government funding, and by the end of the War, the SML Group, as it was now commonly refered to, rose up higher than where it was before the depression.

During the 1950's, the company expanded greatly. New production facilities were built across New York State and the old warehouse was reconstructed into a headquarters office building. A new line of prepared meals, both frozen and room temperature, began production in October 1954. Meals were both made in family sizes requiring separate plates and single serving TV Dinner style trays. Products included Burgers and Fries, Salbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes, Spaghetti and Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, and Pork Riblets. A new line of drinks and candy were created, mostly based off of existing products made from competitors. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, new facilities were built across the United States. New lines of products were produced and sold, now more based on foreign foods. Part of the new lineup included east asian style noodles and south asian style curry. In the 1980's, the company started to expand on microwave foods. In March 1982, they launched a series of microwave meals in a cup. During the 1990s and 2000s, other companies started to struggle with the quality of their frozen meals. However, the SML Group stood strong, and continues to hold up strong today.

## Current Day

The SML Group currently has production facilities set up across the United States. The current food lineup consists of:

* Canned Meats, Vegetables, and Fruits
* Frozen Dinners (Family Size and Individual TV Dinner Trays)
* Microwave Foods (Many in a cup)
* Candy
* Soft Drinks (Including Soda)
* Packaged Foods (Aluminum Toast Crunch)

## Trivia

* William was hired to be an actor in an Aluminum Toast Crunch Commercial, with Link as a "Taste Tester".
* Lawrence likes the orange soda.