Former felons help Dave's Killer Bread expand across the U.S.

MILWAUKIE, Ore.– (KGW) If you live on the West Coast, you’ve no doubt heard of Dave’s Killer Bread.

Soon, the rest of the country will know the name, too.

Dave’s is already in 25 states and plans to have nationwide distribution and baking plans in place by the end of 2014.

The company’s namesake and inspiration, Dave Dahl, is on a leave of absence.

In November of 2013 Dahl was arrested after allegedly ramming two police cars and earlier in the day punching out a cardboard cutout of himself at corporate headquarters and threatening employees.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and has publicly said he is bipolar and was off his medication. Dahl is still on the board of directors and is part-owner of the company.

Even without Dahl, the company spirit of giving people a second chance is alive and well and the company is thriving.

Roughly one third of plant workers are ex-cons.

Plant manager Ronnie Elwood says. “What we have found is that when people who have that background get an opportunity, whatever opportunity they get, they’re gonna seize it and run with it, you know” he said.

And there is plenty of opportunity. Since 2008 the company nearly tripled in size, growing from 100 employees to 280.