Jack Link's
Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a privately held American company founded in 1985 by Jack Link in Minong, Wisconsin, specializing in high-protein meat snacks including beef jerky, meat sticks, and related products derived from lean cuts of beef, turkey, pork, and chicken.[1][2] The company's origins trace to the 1880s, when Jack Link's great-grandfather, Chris Link, an immigrant from Germany, settled in Wisconsin's Northwoods and developed sausage-making recipes that evolved into the modern jerky production methods employed today.[1] Family-operated across five generations, Jack Link's has grown from a regional butcher operation into the world's leading meat snack manufacturer, with operations spanning 11 countries, over 1,000 employees, and a focus on food safety, quality, and innovation in protein snacking.[1][2] Key to its expansion was the introduction of packaged, cowboy-style jerky in the late 1990s to meet retailer demands, alongside marketing emphasizing convenience and nutrition, positioning the brand as a go-to for on-the-go protein.[3] The company has achieved dominance in the category through vertical integration, including in-house meat processing and drying facilities.[1] Notable challenges include prolonged family litigation, particularly disputes between founder Jack Link, his son Troy, and ousted son Jay over shareholder agreements and executive roles, culminating in multimillion-dollar damage awards to Jay Link and his subsequent establishment of a competing venture.[4][5] Additional scrutiny arose from a 2022 class-action lawsuit alleging misleading labeling on snack products, though such consumer claims remain common in the food industry.[6]History
Founding and Early Development
The Jack Link's brand traces its origins to the Link family meat business, which began in 1885 when Chris Link, a German immigrant and master sausage maker, settled in northern Wisconsin and applied traditional European recipes to local game and livestock.[7] This foundational enterprise provided the culinary heritage that later informed the company's products, emphasizing smoked and cured meats suited to the region's hunting culture.[1] John "Jack" Link, a fifth-generation descendant raised in Minong, Wisconsin—a rural town with fewer than 1,000 residents—expanded the family tradition into a commercial snack venture in the mid-1980s.[8] Drawing from childhood experiences raising cattle and processing meat from age seven, Link developed his initial product, Kippered Beef Steak, inspired by family hunting trips where preserved meats proved essential.[9] In 1986, he formally launched Jack Link's, initially producing and distributing these smoked beef steaks to local Wisconsin convenience stores from a small facility.[10] [11] Early growth accelerated after Link acquired a specialized beef jerky packaging machine, enabling production of whole-muscle jerky using Chris Link's Old World recipes adapted for modern appeal.[12] This shift marked a pivotal innovation, as jerky offered longer shelf life and portability compared to fresh steaks, aligning with demand from outdoors enthusiasts.[13] By the late 1980s, operations remained family-run and localized, focusing on quality control through hand-trimming and slow-smoking to differentiate from mass-produced competitors, though sales volumes were modest and confined to regional markets.[1]Expansion and Milestones
In the years following its early regional distribution, Jack Link's achieved nationwide availability in the United States by investing in jerky packaging machinery, which enabled scaled production and broader retail penetration beyond Wisconsin convenience stores.[1] The company pursued facility acquisitions to bolster manufacturing capacity, beginning with the 2010 purchase of a packaged meat snack plant in Mankato, Minnesota, from Day's Foods, allowing for increased output amid rising category demand.[14][15] In 2012, it acquired a meat processing plant in Nebraska, further supporting domestic growth as meat snack sales rose nearly 13% that year.[16] A pivotal international expansion occurred in 2014 through the acquisition of Unilever's meat snacks division for an undisclosed sum, incorporating the BiFi brand and establishing a foothold in Europe, including markets in Germany, Benelux, and Austria; the deal, announced in February and finalized on April 1, diversified product lines and extended reach beyond North America.[17][18] Subsequent deals included the 2016 purchase of Grass Run Farms' meat snacks division, which specialized in 100% grass-fed beef products, enhancing premium offerings.[19] In 2018, Jack Link's opened a 77,000-square-foot operational headquarters in Minneapolis' Mayo Clinic Square, consolidating office, retail, and R&D functions for approximately 200 employees with room for further scaling.[20][21] Facility investments accelerated in the early 2020s, with 2022 announcements for a $450 million greenfield manufacturing plant in Perry, Georgia—projected to create 800 jobs—alongside doubling the Alpena, South Dakota factory, expansions in Minong, Wisconsin, and a 109,000-square-foot addition to an Iowa distribution center featuring automated storage systems.[22][23] These moves supported global distribution to over 40 countries and positioned the company as the world's fastest-growing meat snack producer.[24] Most recently, in July 2025, Jack Link's acquired Kooee! Snack Foods, targeting further diversification in protein snacks.[25]Family Ownership and Leadership
Jack Link's Protein Snacks, Inc. traces its origins to family recipes developed by Chris Link, a German immigrant who settled in Wisconsin in the 1880s and established a sausage-making tradition passed down through subsequent generations, including Jack Link's grandfather Earl Link and father Wolf Link. John E. "Jack" Link formalized the modern company in Minong, Wisconsin, launching its signature beef snacks in 1985 using these ancestral methods before incorporating as Link Snacks, Inc. in 1986. Under Jack Link's leadership as founder and initial CEO, the business expanded from a small operation into the world's leading meat snack producer, emphasizing family involvement in operations and decision-making.[1] The company has maintained private, family ownership across five generations, with no public shares or external investors diluting control, allowing the Links to prioritize long-term growth over short-term shareholder pressures. Jack Link, who built the enterprise from a local jerky packer to a global brand, transitioned leadership to his son Troy Link in 2013, while retaining influence as a board member. Troy Link, who joined the business as a teenager and holds a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, has overseen international expansion, facility investments exceeding $450 million, and revenue growth amid rising demand for protein snacks. Father and son continue to collaborate closely on strategic direction, underscoring the company's ethos of generational continuity in a competitive industry dominated by conglomerates.[1][26][27][28] Family dynamics have not been without conflict, as evidenced by disputes involving Jack Link's other son, Jay Link, who held a one-third ownership stake and operational roles until his ouster in 2005 amid allegations of misconduct and competing ventures. This led to protracted litigation, including suits over fiduciary breaches, share valuation, and non-compete terms, culminating in a 2008 buyout of Jay's interest appraised at $19 million, later adjusted through appeals with mixed rulings on damages exceeding $5 million in some phases. Despite these challenges, which centered on succession and control rather than external threats, ownership consolidated under Jack and Troy Link, preserving the family's dominant position without disrupting core operations or market leadership.[4][29][30]Products and Manufacturing
Core Product Offerings
Jack Link's core product offerings center on jerky produced from lean cuts of beef, turkey, and pork, which undergoes marination and hardwood smoking.[31] Beef jerky constitutes the flagship line, formulated with 100% beef and available in flavors such as original, teriyaki, peppered, and hot & spicy, often in portion sizes like 1.25-ounce bags or larger packs.[32] [33] Beyond jerky, the company provides meat sticks, including beef and cheese combinations, as well as beef steaks, protein bars, and sausages, all designed as portable, high-protein snacks.[34] These items typically feature no added MSG and derive from premium meat sources, with variety packs combining popular options like original and teriyaki jerky for bulk purchasing.[35] [36]- Jerky Varieties: Original Beef Jerky, Teriyaki Beef Jerky, Peppered Beef Jerky, and flavored options like Jalapeño or Sweet & Hot.[32]
- Sticks and Combos: Original Beef & Cheese Sticks, providing paired meat and cheese for convenience.[35]
- Other Snacks: Beef Steak Bites (e.g., Teriyaki Tender Bites) and collaborative flavors such as Flamin' Hot or Doritos-infused variants.[37] [38]