AUSTIN, Minn. – Hormel Foods Corp. acquired Henderson, Texas-based Sadler’s Smokehouse, a business that specializes in premium and pit-smoked meats for retail and foodservice customers. 

The company has been a customer of Sadler’s for more than two decades.

“Sadler’s Smokehouse is a great company with an impressive history, talented team and an outstanding portfolio of on-trend products that resonate with consumers, customers and operators,” said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and CEO at Hormel. “This is a very strategic acquisition for our foodservice business and it gives us another successful brand to expand into the retail and deli channels.”

"Authentic barbecue is on trend and continues to show excellent growth on restaurant menus across the nation," Snee said in 2020 Hormel Q1 earnings call. "This acquisition perfectly aligns with our strategic initiative of strengthening our position in foodservice and gives us another highly differentiated branded product line, similar to what we have with Burke pizza toppings and Fontanini Italian meats and sausages. We also see a unique opportunity to further extend the Sadler's product line into the retail and deli channels.” 

Hormel Foods said Sadler’s Smokehouse will keep its operations at a Henderson, Texas, facility and will report to the Refrigerated Foods segment. The transaction was structured as an asset sale and is expected to close by March 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

“Hormel Foods has an excellent reputation as one of the best food companies in the world,” said Harold J. Sadler, owner of Sadler’s Smokehouse. “We are excited for our employees and family knowing Hormel Foods will continue the Sadler family legacy.”