Butterball turkey has become synonymous with Thanksgiving and is a staple on dinner tables across America during the holidays. But do you know the story behind the famous brand? Who actually owns Butterball and how did it become so popular? Let’s take a closer look at the history and ownership behind Butterball turkey.
A Humble Beginning
The Butterball brand traces its origins back to the 1940s, when an Ohio woman first obtained a trademark for the name. In the early 1950s, Leo Peters, an employee at the Chicago meat company Swift and Co., acquired the rights to the Butterball trademark from her. Peters developed a method to produce trimmed, dressed, and frozen turkeys under the Butterball brand name.
In the 1960s, Peters licensed the Butterball name to Swift for 10 years before finally selling them the full rights. Swift continued producing Butterball turkeys until 1990, when the company was acquired by ConAgra.
The Maxwell Connection
In 2006, ConAgra sold its Butterball business to Carolina Turkeys, a privately held North Carolina company Carolina Turkeys subsequently renamed itself to Butterball LLC.
Here’s where it gets interesting – Carolina Turkeys was actually a joint venture between two other companies: Smithfield Foods and Maxwell Farms. Maxwell Farms, based in Goldsboro, NC, is an affiliate of the Goldsboro Milling Company.
So while Butterball LLC was the public face of the Butterball brand, Maxwell Farms owned 50% of the company behind the scenes. The other 50% was owned by Smithfield Foods.
Butterball Today
The Maxwell Farms – Smithfield Foods joint ownership of Butterball continued until 2010, when Smithfield decided to sell its stake.
- Maxwell Farms bought 25% of Smithfield’s share, boosting its ownership to 75%
- The remaining 25% was sold to Seaboard Corporation, a diverse food production and shipping company.
- Butterball LLC is the company that owns and produces Butterball turkey products.
- Butterball LLC is majority owned by Maxwell Farms (75%).
- The remaining 25% is owned by Seaboard Corporation.
Butterball continues to be the #1 brand of turkey in America, producing over 1 billion pounds annually from multiple processing facilities around the country.
While the ownership has changed hands a few times, Butterball turkey remains a tasty tradition for families across America. The familiar blue and yellow Butterball packaging is a staple in grocery stores every holiday season
Fun Facts About Butterball
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Since 1981, Butterball has operated a Turkey Talk-Line every November/December to answer turkey cooking questions from home chefs. In 2021, the talk-line employed 50 staff members to handle over 200,000 calls and emails.
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Butterball produces around 5 million turkeys just for Thanksgiving every year.
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Butterball turkeys are raised without any hormones or steroids, in accordance with USDA regulations.
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Butterball opened a $12 million corporate headquarters in Garner, NC in 2008, including a test kitchen for recipes and product demonstrations.
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Butterball produces many products besides whole turkeys, including deli meats, burgers, roasts, sausages, salads, and more.
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Butterball operates 6 processing plants located in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Missouri.
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The familiar Butterball Turkey Talk-Line number is 1-800-BUTTERBALL.
So there you have it – the complete history and ownership breakdown of the famous Butterball turkey brand! While the company has changed hands over the decades, Butterball continues to produce juicy, delicious turkeys that Americans love serving for the holidays.
Estimated Revenue & Valuation
- Butterball s estimated annual revenue is currently $1.3B per year.(i)
- Butterball s estimated revenue per employee is $ 351,400
- Butterball has 3709 Employees.(i)
- Butterball grew their employee count by 6% last year.
PETA accuse Butterball of sexually abusing TURKEYS
FAQ
What company owns Butterball turkey?
Headquartered in Garner, North Carolina, Butterball LLC is a vertically integrated turkey company owned by Seaboard Corporation and Goldsboro Milling Co.Dec 5, 2024
Where is Butterball turkey located?
Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball is one of the largest producers of turkey products in the U.S. – producing approximately 1 billion pounds of turkey each year. For more than 60 years, the company has provided foodservice and retail products to customers and consumers around the world.
What is the deal with Butterball turkeys?
- Freshness: Butterball offers fresh turkeys that are never frozen.
- Gluten free: Butterball turkeys are gluten free.
- Processing: Butterball turkeys are minimally processed and have no artificial ingredients.
- Brining: Butterball fresh turkeys are pre-brined before packaging.
- Basted: Butterball turkeys are deep basted for flavor and juiciness.
How much money is Butterball losing?
Seaboard Corporation, which owns a 52.5 stake in Butterball, reported a $6 million in net income for its investment in the turkey company during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. That is a 70% decline from the income it received in its investment during the third quarter of the previous year.
Who makes Butterball turkeys?
By 1954, Peters was producing dressed whole turkeys under the Butterball brand name, with a focus on broad-breasted birds known for rich flavor. Peters licensed the famous brand to Swift for the first 10 years. Then in the 1960s he sold the full rights to Swift, which was later acquired by the large food corporation ConAgra in 1990.
Who owns Butterball?
Maxwell Farms will sell 50 percent of Butterball to Seaboard Corp. Walter “Gator” Pelletier, past chairman of the National Turkey Federation, is Butterball LLC’s corporate secretary—managing all operating activities from turkey production and directing Maxwell Farms, the managing partner of Butterball.
Does Butterball turkey company own Sweetwater foods?
No, in addition to Butterball, Seaboard Corporation also owns the Daily’s Premium Meats and Sweetwater Foods brands. These brands offer a wide range of pork products. 7. Does Butterball Turkey Company solely focus on turkey products?
How much Turkey does Butterball sell a year?
The company sells over one billion pounds of turkey a year. [citation needed] Though the Butterball brand has been formally recognized since 1940, Butterball LLC was formed in 2006. In Canada, the rights to Butterball are owned by Exceldor Foods Ltd. According to Butterball, the following products are sold under the Butterball name:
Why did seaboard acquire Butterball turkey company?
Seaboard Corporation saw an opportunity in the turkey market and recognized the value and strong reputation of the Butterball brand. The acquisition allowed Seaboard to enter the turkey industry and benefit from Butterball’s established customer base. 5. Has Butterball Turkey Company always been owned by Seaboard Corporation?
What is Butterball turkey?
Butterball is a brand of turkey and other poultry products produced by Butterball LLC. The company manufactures food products in the United States and internationally—specializing in turkey, cured deli meats, raw roasts and specialty products such as soups and salads, sandwiches, and entrées.