Pilgrim's

The journey of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation began in 1946, not in a boardroom, but in a modest feed and seed store in Pittsburg, Texas. Founded by the enterprising brothers Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim and his older sibling, Aubrey, the initial business model was simple yet ingenious. To foster loyalty and grow their customer base, they started giving away free chicks with each bag of feed sold. This strategy proved remarkably successful, laying the groundwork for what would become a global poultry powerhouse. The early days were characterized by a hands-on approach, with Bo Pilgrim himself becoming the face of the company. Often seen in traditional Pilgrim attire, accompanied by his pet chicken 'Henrietta,' he became a familiar and trusted figure in the company's advertising, personifying the brand's commitment to quality and its roots in American agriculture.

The company's trajectory was one of consistent growth and strategic evolution. After Aubrey's passing in 1966, Bo Pilgrim took the helm as president, steering the company towards vertical integration. This meant taking control of every stage of the production process, from the egg to the final product on the consumer's table. This model ensured quality control and efficiency, allowing Pilgrim's Pride to expand its operations significantly. The company went public in 1986, listing on the New York Stock Exchange, which fueled a series of major acquisitions in the subsequent decades, including notable names like Green Acre Foods Inc., WLR Foods Inc., and the chicken division of ConAgra. A pivotal moment in the company's history came in 2009 when it was acquired by the Brazilian multinational JBS S.A., the world's largest protein company. This acquisition marked a new chapter for Pilgrim's Pride, leading to the relocation of its U.S. headquarters to Greeley, Colorado, in 2011. Today, as a majority-owned subsidiary of JBS S.A., Pilgrim's Pride stands as one of the largest chicken producers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, a testament to its humble beginnings and its relentless pursuit of growth and excellence in the food industry.