It is called Heinz 57 because of an old Heinz advertising slogan, “57 varieties,” that became closely associated with the brand and its sauces.
Origin of the number 57
The founder, Henry J. Heinz, created the “57 varieties” slogan in 1896 at a time when the company was already selling more than 60 different products. He said he picked 5 as his own lucky number and 7 as his wife’s lucky number and liked the way “57” sounded and its psychological impact.
From slogan to product name
Over time, “Heinz 57” became shorthand for the company itself and its range of foods. In the early 20th century Heinz used the phrase to name a specific steak sauce, which cemented “Heinz 57” as a product name rather than just an advertising line.
