Turkey Hill is a beloved brand known for its refreshing iced teas, rich ice creams, and convenient gas station markets across Pennsylvania and beyond But over its 90+ year history, the ownership of Turkey Hill has changed hands several times Here, I’ll walk through the key events and owners that have shaped this iconic Pennsylvania company.
The Early Family Ownership
Turkey Hill’s origins date back to 1931 when a Lancaster County farmer named Armor Frey started bottling and delivering milk to neighbors during the Great Depression. The Turkey Hill name comes from the hill and land parcel where Armor’s farm was located.
In 1947, Armor passed the fledgling dairy business to his three sons – Glen, Emerson, and Charles. The brothers grew the business over the next few decades, eventually expanding into ice cream production in 1954.
Turkey Hill ice cream quickly became popular in Pennsylvania, especially in the brothers’ home turf of Lancaster County. The Frey family continued to run and expand Turkey Hill Dairy until 1985.
Acquisition by Kroger
In 1985, Turkey Hill Dairy was acquired by the national grocery chain Kroger. This gave Turkey Hill the resources to expand distribution of its ice cream and teas nationally.
Even after the acquisition, the Frey family remained involved in Turkey Hill’s operations. Charles Frey stayed on as company president until 1991 when his nephew Quintin Frey took over the role. Quintin led Turkey Hill until 2013, providing decades of family leadership despite the Kroger ownership.
Convenience Store Expansion
In addition to the dairy production side, Turkey Hill also operated a small chain of convenience stores in Pennsylvania. After the Kroger purchase these Turkey Hill Minit Markets blossomed into a 260+ store chain with locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
The convenience stores were operated as a separate business from the Turkey Hill dairy even under Kroger. This allowed each side of Turkey Hill to focus on their specialties – ice cream and iced tea manufacturing for the dairy, and gas stations and convenience stores for the markets.
Sale to European Owners
In 2018, Kroger made the decision to exit the crowded and low-margin convenience store business. The company struck a deal to sell Turkey Hill Minit Markets and its other convenience store chains to the British company EG Group for $2.15 billion.
Notably, the sale did not include the Turkey Hill dairy business, which Kroger kept operational. So for the first time in 30+ years, the Turkey Hill name was split between two owners – EG Group for the convenience stores, and Kroger for the dairy.
Peak Rock Capital Purchase of Dairy Business
Kroger’s ownership of the Turkey Hill dairy side would prove short-lived. In March 2019, the company announced the sale of Turkey Hill Dairy to the private equity firm Peak Rock Capital.
The sale marked the end of Kroger’s 34-year ownership of Turkey Hill. While terms were not disclosed, Peak Rock has a strong portfolio of consumer product companies like Turkey Hill.
So as of 2019, the Turkey Hill brand remains divided. EG Group owns the Turkey Hill Minit Markets convenience stores. Peak Rock Capital owns the Turkey Hill Dairy business and manufacturers the ice cream, teas, and other Turkey Hill branded goods.
What Does the Future Hold?
For now, it appears this “divided brand” structure will remain in place. EG Group is expanding Turkey Hill Minit Markets across the Midwest and adding food service options. Peak Rock is focused on expanding distribution of Turkey Hill products into new markets nationally.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if someday, the two halves of Turkey Hill are united under a single owner again. Turkey Hill is an iconic Pennsylvania brand with a loyal customer base. The convenience stores provide great retail visibility and distribution for the ice creams and teas.
Reuniting the manufacturing and retail sides could provide major synergies in marketing, branding, and cross-selling opportunities. For now, I’ll be eagerly watching this heritage Pennsylvania brand as the next chapters of its ownership story unfold!
A long time ago…
More than 85 years ago, in the southern end of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Armor Frey started each day by watching the sunrise from the top of Turkey Hill. Then hed toss a few bottles of milk into the back of his touring sedan and set off to sell them to his neighbors. It was the Great Depression, and every penny helped.
Slowly, Armors route grew. Until one day his “extra milk” business became his only business.
In 1947, Glenn, Emerson, and Charles Frey bought their fathers business. All the dairys customers still lived within a few miles. Milking the cows and running home delivery routes provided enough of a living for the young men to raise their families. Over the years, the little dairy thrived on their hard work.
Not so long ago…
In 1980, the Frey brothers took the biggest step in the life of the dairy by expanding its ice cream production. Turkey Hill Ice Cream quickly became a favorite in local Lancaster County stores.
In 1981, they persuaded a few independent stores in the Philadelphia area to give “Turkey Who?” a try. Philadelphians loved it. The ice cream was always good, but priced so everyone could enjoy it. Light ice cream soon followed. Then frozen yogurt.
Little by little, this tiny dairy became a favorite in some of the countrys biggest markets.
Turkey Hill Ice Cream, why does it cost more at Turkey Hill?
FAQ
Who is Turkey Hill owned by?
Who bought Turkey Hill from Kroger?
How much did Turkey Hill sell for?
Is Turkey Hill owned by Hershey?
Who owns Turkey Hill?
The company is operated independently from Turkey Hill Minit Markets, a chain of more than 260 gas station convenience stores that carry Turkey Hill products in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana.
Who owns Turkey Hill Minit markets?
Turkey Hill Minit Markets is owned by EG Group and operated independently from Turkey Hill, a separate Peak Rock Capital-owned brand of iced tea, ice cream and other beverages and frozen desserts.
Who owns Turkey Hill ice cream?
Turkey Hill is the eighth food-and-beverage company in Peak Rock’s portfolio. The dairy was founded by dairy farmer Armor Frey in 1931. The dairy diversified into convenience stores in 1967 and into ice cream in 1980. Kroger acquired both the dairy and the Minit Markets in 1985.
Where are Turkey Hill Minit markets located?
Turkey Hill Minit Markets is an American chain of convenience stores founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1966. As of October 2017, Turkey Hill Minit Markets had over 260 locations across Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.