JIMMY’S DRESSING & DIPS BRANDING

Jimmy’s Dressings & Dips is a Minnesota-based company with nearly 50 years of family tradition in crafting fresh, refrig­er­ated dressings and dips. Known for their small-batch food quality and hometown roots, Jimmy’s turned to Compass Design to refresh their brand identity and packaging design. The goal was to expand their market presence while staying true to the strong loyalty and trust they have built over generations.

Jimmy’s is a well-loved local brand with deep roots in Minnesota. But as the food packaging landscape evolved, their labels began to blend in with larger national com­peti­tors. Our brand design team faced the challenge of creating a brand refresh that honored the legacy and famil­iar­ity of Jimmy’s while mod­ern­iz­ing its appeal. The previous packaging lacked dis­tinc­tion on crowded shelves, so we set out to elevate the brand with more clarity, shelf impact, and premium cues while keeping its approach­able, small-batch authenticity.

As one of the few remaining family-owned refrig­er­ated dressing brands in the U.S., Jimmy’s rep­re­sents crafts­man­ship, authen­tic­ity, and Midwest pride. Our team saw an oppor­tu­nity to highlight that story through thought­ful brand sto­ry­telling and CPG design. By cel­e­brat­ing their Minnesota roots and com­mit­ment to small-batch food branding, we posi­tioned Jimmy’s as both a beloved legacy brand and a fresh, relevant choice for today’s shopper.

Working side by side with the Jimmy’s family, Compass Design took a deep dive into the brand’s history, values, and future goals. We explored how the new food packaging design could enhance shelf presence, improve read­abil­ity, and create con­sis­tency across the entire lineup. Every step of the process was built around pre­serv­ing the soul of the brand while giving it room to grow

Our local brand packaging approach focused on evolution, not rein­ven­tion. We refined the typog­ra­phy, color palette, and structure to feel modern yet familiar, creating a visual refresh that captured Jimmy’s Midwest brand identity while keeping it instantly rec­og­niz­able. The updated packaging system balances clean design with character, resulting in a timeless look that is true to Jimmy’s story.

The new packaging design gave Jimmy’s a stronger retail presence and helped drive vis­i­bil­ity in both local and regional markets. The brand refresh rein­forced what customers already love about Jimmy’s: authen­tic­ity, quality, and a family-owned story that continues to resonate. The update has posi­tioned Jimmy’s to thrive for the next gen­er­a­tion while staying grounded in its Minnesota roots.

A LOOK BACK: THE JIMMY’S HISTORY

Jimmy’s story began in the 1950s and 60s during Minnesota’s supper club era. Grandpa Jimmy first created his signature dressing for guests at the family’s restau­rant, where it quickly became a favorite. He began bottling it so customers could take a bit of that quality home. That same tradition of care and craft lives on today as the next gen­er­a­tion leads the brand forward, a true example of enduring Midwest brand identity and pride.

1958 — 2013

2013 — 2024

2024 — PRESENT

DESIGN INSPIRATION

Drawing inspi­ra­tion from Jimmy’s supper club roots, we incor­po­rated subtle vintage cues into the modern CPG design system. The refreshed look pays tribute to their heritage while posi­tion­ing the brand for continued growth in the com­pet­i­tive food packaging category. It is a design that honors where they came from and builds excite­ment for where they are headed.

SEE NEXT PROJECT