Walk down the sausage aisle at any grocery store and you’re bound to see the familiar Owens sausage packaging. Known for its signature bold and smoky flavor, Owens has been a popular pork sausage brand for almost a century. But who actually owns this iconic sausage maker today?
The history of Owens sausage is a fascinating story, spanning multiple generations and owners over the decades. Join me as I explore the evolution of this classic brand, from its humble beginnings at a family farm to its current place as a leading pork product line.
Humble Origins at a Texas Farm
The Owens sausage legacy begins back in 1928 at a family farm near Seguin Texas owned by Clifton and Lydia Owens. Using his own secret spice blend Clifton Owens hand-mixed and stuffed sausage to share with friends and family.
Word of this tasty homemade sausage spread quickly Soon, Clifton and his five sons were selling it at local markets under the name Owens Country Sausage Their flavors like Hot and Mild Pork Sausage were an instant hit.
Rapid Growth and Expansion
By 1946, the Owen brothers had expanded from farmer’s markets into full-scale production. They opened processing plants throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to supply grocery stores and markets.
Owens became one of the largest regional sausage brands in the Southwest. At its peak popularity in the 1970s, Owens was producing over 100 million pounds of sausage per year!
The company slogan “Owens Makes It Good” reflected their commitment to quality and authentic farm-fresh flavor.
Sale to Quest Capital and Decline
After decades of family ownership, Owens Sausage was sold in 1981 to Quest Capital Corporation. Under Quest’s management, production declined due to outdated facilities and lack of investment.
By the mid-1980s, Owens had fallen from its top spot as America’s #1 sausage brand. Several production plants closed, and sausage quality suffered from cost-cutting measures. Owens risked fading into obscurity.
Revitalization by Bob Evans
In 1987, Owens Sausage found a new home when it was acquired by Bob Evans Farms. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Bob Evans was looking to expand its breakfast meat offerings beyond sausage and bacon.
Bob Evans poured resources into modernizing Owens’ manufacturing operations and restoring original recipes. This revitalization returned Owens to its former glory as a leading sausage brand.
Distribution expanded into 10 new states throughout the Southwest and Midwest. Owens also diversified into new varieties like turkey and chicken sausage. Under Bob Evans’ ownership, the future looked bright again for Owens.
Bob Evans Sells Owens to Post Holdings
After owning Owens Sausage for over 25 years, Bob Evans Farms made the decision in 2014 to leave the sausage business. They sold their Bob Evans sausage brand and Owens Sausage to cereal giant Post Holdings for $870 million.
Post Holdings is a leading consumer packaged goods holding company, with a portfolio of diverse brands like Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles Cereal, and Egg Beaters.
The acquisition of Owens and Bob Evans meat products allowed Post to expand into the refrigerated and frozen foods categories. It also gave them an entry into food service channels like restaurants, a key growth area.
What the Future Holds for Owens
Today, Owens Sausage continues producing its signature bold and smoky flavored links and patties as part of Post’s refrigerated foods division. Owens retains its down-home, farm-inspired vibe, while benefitting from Post’s resources and distribution network.
Under Post’s ownership, Owens has launched new innovations like all-natural uncured sausage and gluten-free turkey options. Distribution has grown to retailers nationwide.
While ownership has changed many times, Owens Sausage retains its heritage of quality and authentic taste. As consumer demand grows for classic comfort foods, iconic brands like Owens are perfectly positioned for the future.
So the next time you bite into an Owens sausage patty or link, appreciate the long and storied history behind this beloved brand. With over 90 years of experience crafting quality pork sausage, they’ve certainly “made it good” for generations of sausage lovers.
A Texas Sausage Legacy Lives On
Tracing the ownership history of Owens Sausage was a fascinating journey. It’s incredible to see how a small family farm in Texas evolved into one of the nation’s largest sausage companies.
Key events shaped Owens’ growth trajectory:
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1928 – Founded by Clifton Owens in Seguin, TX
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1946 – Rapid expansion under ownership of Owens brothers
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1981 – Sold to Quest Capital, began period of decline
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1987 – Acquired by Bob Evans and revitalized
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2014 – Bob Evans sold Owens to Post Holdings
Despite changing hands multiple times, Owens Sausage never lost the values of authentic farm-fresh flavor instilled by the Owens family over 90 years ago. Today, Owens remains an iconic sausage brand under Post Holdings’ guidance.
The evolution of Owens is a testament to the power heritage brands can maintain, even through periods of ups and downs. For sausage lovers nationwide, Owens will continue delivering the bold, smoky flavor that makes it an enduring classic.
1988 Owens Country Sausage TV Commercial
FAQ
Who started Owens sausage?
Do they still make Owens Sausage?
Where is Jimmy Dean sausage manufactured?
Where is Williams Country sausage made?
Who owns the Owens sausage brand?
Bob Evans Farms, based in Ohio, bought the Owens brand in 1987. They owned it until 2013 when they closed the Richardson plant and farm. Since then, the area around the old sausage estate has boomed with State Farm Insurance’s huge new corporate campus and thousands of workers moving to the area.
Who owned the Owens farms?
In the early 1960s, the Owens family bought the tract of farmland along Spring Creek for their business. For years, the old farm hosted tours and hayrides with a petting zoo and holiday events. However, Ohio-based Bob Evans Farms bought the Owens brand in 1987 and later closed the Richardson plant and farm.
Is Owens meats a family business?
It is thought that Owens Meats is the oldest continuously operated family business in Kittitas County and perhaps one of the oldest in the state of Washington. Owens Meats opened its doors in 1887, two years before Washington became a state.
What is the history of Owens Spring Creek Farm?
The Owens Spring Creek Farm, once the home of Richardson’s Owens Country Sausage company, has changed hands. The almost 27 acres at the northeast corner of Plano and Lookout roads now stand as one of the few reminders of Richardson’s small-town past.