Who Owns Jennie O Turkey? Uncovering the History Behind This Iconic Brand

If you’ve cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving or grabbed a pack of ground turkey from the grocery store, chances are you’ve heard of Jennie O Turkey With their wide range of turkey products from whole birds to deli meats, Jennie O is one of the largest and most ubiquitous turkey brands in America But who actually owns and operates this iconic company?

The history of Jennie O Turkey is a fascinating story of family businesses that grew to become industry leaders Let’s take a closer look at the origins and evolution of this major turkey producer,

The Early Days: 1940s-1960s

Jennie O Turkey began humbly in 1940 as an operation raising and selling turkeys started by Earl B. Olson in Minnesota In 1949, Olson took a major step forward by purchasing the Farmer’s Produce Company, a turkey processing plant in Willmar, MN

By 1950, Olson had focused his company’s efforts solely on turkey, discontinuing other poultry and dairy products. Then in 1953 came a landmark moment when Olson converted the plant to USDA inspection, renamed the company Jennie-O after his daughter Jennifer, and began selling branded Jennie-O turkey products.

During the 1950s and 60s, Jennie-O expanded by acquiring more processing plants and increasing distribution across the United States and internationally. Earl Olson’s forward-thinking leadership propelled Jennie-O to become a major player in the burgeoning turkey industry.

Merging Two Turkey Titans: The Turkey Store Company

While Earl Olson was building Jennie-O in Minnesota, Wallace Jerome was establishing his own turkey empire in Wisconsin. In 1941, Jerome founded The Turkey Store Company which grew to include processing plants, hatcheries, and feed mills.

In 2001, The Turkey Store Company was acquired by Hormel Foods. That same year, The Turkey Store and Jennie-O merged under the Hormel banner to create the Jennie-O Turkey Store we know today.

By combining forces, Jennie-O and The Turkey Store consolidated their resources and market share to dominate turkey production. The merger also allowed them to streamline operations and unify their brand identities under the widely recognizable Jennie-O name.

Acquisition by Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods entered the turkey business in 1986 when they acquired Jennie-O, adding it to their protein portfolio alongside Spam, bacon, and other meat products.

Under Hormel’s ownership, Jennie-O continued expanding production with new facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Hormel also invested in marketing to grow the Jennie-O brand into the #1 retail turkey brand in America.

The additional capital and operational resources from Hormel enabled Jennie-O to enhance product innovation, food safety, sustainability, and other aspects of the business.

Today, Jennie-O remains an important subsidiary within the Hormel Foods family of brands. But it retains the independent, family-business spirit upon which it was founded over 80 years ago.

By the Numbers: Scale of Operations

So just how big is Jennie-O Turkey Store today? Let’s break it down:

• 1500+ products – From whole turkeys and deli meat to ground turkey and sausages, Jennie-O’s product portfolio is vast.

• 6 plants – Jennie-O owns a total of six processing facilities located in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

• 7000+ employees – With so many products and plants, Jennie-O employs thousands of workers between its corporate office and production facilities.

• 240 million turkeys – The number of turkeys processed annually by Jennie-O, making them one of the largest turkey companies on the planet.

Looking to the Future

In 2022 and beyond, Jennie-O Turkey Store remains well-positioned for continued success under Hormel’s guidance. By upholding the family-oriented values and tireless innovation of its founders, Jennie-O is sure to keep America’s Thanksgiving tables stocked with delicious turkey for generations to come.

So there you have it – the complete story behind the iconic Jennie O turkey brand. A family startup that grew into a turkey titan, got a boost from a merger, and became part of a major food corporation, all while retaining its name, legacy, and leadership in quality turkey products. Now you know exactly who owns Jennie O!