Pilgrim's Pride
A U.S.-based multinational producer and marketer of poultry and prepared meat products.
Last updated October 28, 2026
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Overview
Pilgrim's Pride is a multinational food company centered on poultry production, processing, marketing, and distribution. The company traces its origins to a feed store opened in 1946 in Pittsburg, Texas, by brothers Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim and Aubrey Pilgrim. The business expanded from selling feed and chicks into an integrated poultry operation, using a vertically coordinated model that spans breeding, hatching, growing, processing, packaging, and distribution. Its early identity was closely associated with Bo Pilgrim, who appeared in advertising in traditional Pilgrim clothing with a chicken named Henrietta. The company became one of the largest chicken producers in the United States through organic expansion and acquisitions. It purchased Pierce Chicken in 2003, adding prepared-food products such as Wing Dings and Wing Zings, and completed the acquisition of Gold Kist in 2006. These transactions broadened its geographic footprint and increased its presence in foodservice and retail channels. Pilgrim's products have been supplied to restaurant, club, supermarket, and institutional customers, including Kentucky Fried Chicken, Walmart, Publix, Wendy's, and Costco. Its business has included fresh and frozen chicken, deli poultry, marinated and ready-to-cook products, cooked foods, and other prepared meat offerings. Rapid expansion was followed by severe financial pressure. In December 2008, Pilgrim's Pride filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after difficult market conditions and high feed costs. The company emerged from bankruptcy in December 2009 after JBS USA Holdings acquired a controlling interest. JBS initially purchased 64 percent of the shares and later increased its ownership. Following the transaction, Pilgrim's Pride relocated its U.S. headquarters from Texas to Greeley, Colorado, in 2011. It operates as a publicly traded company while remaining majority-controlled by JBS S.A., the Brazilian meat-processing group. The company has also faced significant operational, regulatory, labor, food-safety, animal-welfare, and antitrust controversies. A 2002 recall involving sliced deli poultry contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes was associated with deaths and illnesses and became one of the largest U.S. food recalls at the time. In 2004, an animal-welfare investigation at a West Virginia facility led to employee dismissals and additional training. The company later encountered an immigration enforcement action at several facilities, disease-control measures related to avian influenza, and major workplace outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Pilgrim's Pride agreed to pay a substantial criminal fine in a U.S. bid-rigging and price-fixing case involving poultry products. Pilgrim's current business remains focused on supplying poultry and prepared foods through retail, foodservice, and industrial customers. Its international scope expanded further through the 2021 purchase of Kerry Group's consumer-meats and meals business, which included brands such as Henry Denny & Sons, Wall's, and Lawsons. The company is therefore both a consumer-facing brand owner and a large-scale protein supplier whose products are often sold through other brands, restaurants, and foodservice operators.
History
Pilgrim's Pride began in 1946 when brothers Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim and Aubrey Pilgrim opened a feed store in Pittsburg, Texas. The brothers reportedly encouraged poultry sales by giving customers chicks with feed purchases. This small agricultural-retail operation developed into a vertically integrated poultry company, with control over much of the chain from breeding and hatching to growing, processing, packaging, and distribution. The Pilgrim family shaped the company's public identity for decades. Bo Pilgrim became president after Aubrey died in 1966 and was featured in advertising wearing traditional Pilgrim clothing while carrying a chicken named Henrietta. Under his leadership, the company expanded its processing and distribution network and developed a broad customer base across supermarkets, restaurants, foodservice distributors, and institutional buyers. Pilgrim's Pride became a major supplier to Kentucky Fried Chicken and was recognized by that chain as a supplier of the year in 1997. It also supplied customers including Walmart, Publix, Wendy's, and Costco. Expansion through acquisitions was an important part of the company's growth. In 2003, Pilgrim's Pride acquired Pierce Chicken, bringing in prepared-food lines including Wing Dings and Wing Zings. In 2006, it completed the acquisition of Gold Kist, formerly one of the largest U.S. chicken companies. The combined business had a substantial production footprint and sold fresh, frozen, cooked, marinated, and deli poultry through retail and foodservice channels. The company experienced serious financial difficulties in the late 2000s. It filed for bankruptcy protection on December 1, 2008, after unfavorable market conditions and high feed costs placed pressure on its operations. JBS USA Holdings announced the purchase of 64 percent of Pilgrim's Pride in September 2009. The company emerged from bankruptcy in December of that year under JBS control. It subsequently consolidated parts of its corporate structure and moved its U.S. headquarters from Texas to Greeley, Colorado, in 2011. Pilgrim's Pride's history also includes repeated scrutiny over food safety, animal welfare, labor practices, immigration, disease control, and competition. A 2002 Listeria recall affected tens of millions of pounds of deli poultry and was associated with a deadly outbreak. In 2004, an avian-influenza incident in Texas resulted in the destruction of breeder hens. That same year, animal-welfare footage from a West Virginia plant led to the dismissal of employees and strengthened training requirements. In 2008, federal immigration authorities raided several facilities and arrested workers suspected of identity theft. During the COVID-19 pandemic, infections were reported at multiple Pilgrim's Pride facilities, including plants in Texas, West Virginia, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Virginia. Workers and community advocates raised concerns about workplace safety and called for temporary closures or stronger protections. In 2020, CEO Jayson Penn went on leave after an indictment related to alleged poultry price fixing and bid rigging, and Fabio Sandri was appointed CEO. In 2021, Pilgrim's Pride agreed to a $107 million criminal penalty in the antitrust matter. The company continued to expand internationally. In 2021, it agreed to acquire Kerry Group's consumer meats and meals business, adding European brands and operations. Pilgrim's Pride remains a publicly traded poultry producer majority-owned by JBS S.A., with business spanning U.S. retail and foodservice markets and operations in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and parts of Europe.
- 2021
Kerry consumer-foods acquisition
[1]The company acquired Kerry Group's consumer meats and meals business, including several established European brands.
- 2016
Gold'n Plump acquisition
[1]Pilgrim's Pride acquired Gold'n Plump, expanding its U.S. poultry operations.
- 2011
U.S. headquarters relocates to Greeley
[1]The company moved its U.S. headquarters from Texas to Greeley, Colorado.
- 2009
JBS becomes controlling shareholder
[1]JBS USA Holdings acquired a controlling interest, and Pilgrim's Pride later exited bankruptcy.
- 2008
Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
[1]The company filed for bankruptcy protection in December during a period of severe financial stress.
- 2006
Acquisition of Gold Kist
[1]Pilgrim's Pride completed the acquisition of Gold Kist, significantly increasing its poultry scale.
- 2003
Acquisition of Pierce Chicken
[1]The purchase expanded the company's prepared-food portfolio.
- 1997
Named a Kentucky Fried Chicken supplier of the year
[1]Pilgrim's Pride received supplier recognition from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
- 1966
Bo Pilgrim takes company leadership
[1]After Aubrey Pilgrim's death, Bo Pilgrim became president and continued the company's expansion.
- 1946
Founding feed-store business
[1]Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim and Aubrey Pilgrim opened a feed store in Pittsburg, Texas, establishing the business that became Pilgrim's Pride.
Products and positioning
A large-scale, vertically integrated poultry and prepared-food supplier serving mainstream retail, foodservice, restaurant, and institutional markets.
Poultry
Fresh chicken
Fresh poultry is a core Pilgrim's Pride business, supplied through retail and foodservice channels in cuts and formats designed for household cooking, restaurant preparation, and institutional use. The company's vertically integrated model supports production from breeding and growing through processing and packaging.
Poultry
Frozen chicken
Frozen chicken products extend shelf life and support distribution to supermarkets, foodservice operators, restaurant chains, and institutional customers. The range includes conventional portions and products prepared for further cooking or incorporation into meals.
Prepared foods
Prepared chicken and deli poultry
Pilgrim's Pride sells cooked, deli, marinated, and ready-to-cook poultry products. These offerings serve consumers seeking convenience and commercial customers requiring standardized products for restaurants, club stores, catering, and prepared-food counters.
Prepared poultry · 2003
Pierce Chicken products
Acquired in 2003, Pierce Chicken is associated with prepared poultry products including Wing Dings and Wing Zings. The division broadened Pilgrim's Pride's presence in foodservice and convenience-oriented chicken products.
Prepared meat · 2021
European consumer meats and meals
The 2021 Kerry Group transaction added consumer meat and meal activities and brands including Henry Denny & Sons, Wall's, and Lawsons. These products expanded the company beyond its traditional U.S.-centered poultry portfolio.
Controversies
2021
Antitrust criminal penalty
Pilgrim's Pride agreed to pay a $107 million criminal fine in connection with bid-rigging and price-fixing charges.
2020
Poultry antitrust indictment
Former CEO Jayson Penn was indicted in a case involving alleged price fixing and bid rigging in the poultry industry. He went on leave, and Fabio Sandri became CEO.
2020
Workers walk out at Pilgrim's Pride over COVID-19 safety concerns
Workers walked out of Pilgrim's Pride's Cold Spring facility in protest of how the facility was handling worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pilgrim's Pride said it had taken extensive preventive measures and that the brief disruption did not affect operations.
2020
Boston Market files broiler price-fixing lawsuit
Boston Market filed a federal lawsuit against poultry companies, alleging that they conspired to manipulate broiler prices from 2008 to 2017 and that this caused it hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges. The allegations are presented as claims in the lawsuit, not as a court determination.
2020
Chick-fil-A sues poultry suppliers over alleged price-fixing
In a federal court lawsuit, Chick-fil-A sued poultry suppliers, alleging that they coordinated meat-supply pricing and reduced production in order to raise prices. The filing places Pilgrim's Pride among the poultry suppliers named in the litigation. The allegations are claims asserted in the lawsuit and do not constitute a determination of wrongdoing. The suit concerns alleged coordination of pricing and production cuts in the meat-supply market.
2020
Pilgrim’s Pride agrees to $110.5 million price-fixing settlement
JBS-controlled Pilgrim’s Pride said it would pay $110.5 million to settle federal charges that it helped fix chicken prices and passed higher costs on to consumers.
2004
Animal-welfare allegations at West Virginia plant
PETA-released footage showed workers abusing live chickens. The company dismissed 11 employees, including managers, and expanded animal-welfare training.
2002
Listeria poultry recall
Pilgrim's Pride recalled approximately 27.4 million pounds of sliced deli poultry after Listeria monocytogenes was found at a facility. The associated outbreak was linked to seven deaths, dozens of illnesses, and miscarriages.
Marketing campaigns
- Pilgrim character advertising
United States
Company advertising used co-founder Bo Pilgrim's traditional Pilgrim attire and his pet chicken Henrietta to create a distinctive brand identity.
Outcome. Helped establish the public-facing Pilgrim's Pride identity.
Brand decisions
2021
Kerry consumer-foods acquisitionM&ABackground
Pilgrim's Pride sought to expand its prepared-food and international consumer portfolio.
Action taken
The company agreed to buy Kerry Group's consumer meats and meals business.
Aftermath
The transaction added European brands and broadened the company's prepared-food activities.
2014
Withdrawal from Hillshire Brands bidM&ABackground
Pilgrim's Pride sought to acquire Hillshire Brands in a contested takeover process.
Action taken
It withdrew its proposal after Tyson Foods increased its competing offer.
Aftermath
Tyson Foods prevailed in the bidding process.
- Tyson Foods — Tyson Foods made a higher competing offer for Hillshire Brands.
2009
JBS control transactionM&ABackground
Pilgrim's Pride was restructuring under bankruptcy protection.
Action taken
JBS USA Holdings announced the purchase of 64 percent of Pilgrim's Pride's shares.
Aftermath
Pilgrim's Pride became a JBS-controlled public company and later moved its U.S. headquarters to Colorado.
2008
Chapter 11 restructuringOtherBackground
High feed costs and difficult poultry-market conditions placed significant pressure on the company.
Action taken
Pilgrim's Pride filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Aftermath
The company emerged in December 2009 after JBS USA acquired a controlling stake.
Recent events
Pilgrim’s Pride to acquire Kerry Consumer Foods’ meats and meals business[8]
Pilgrim’s Pride said it would acquire Kerry Consumer Foods’ meats and meals business in the U.K. and Ireland. The acquisition was expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Reported
Kerry Group agrees to sell Meats and Meals business to Pilgrim’s Pride[9]
Kerry Group agreed to sell its Consumer Foods’ Meats and Meals business in the UK and Ireland to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation for €819 million (£704 million), subject to routine closing adjustments. The transaction was expected to close in the final quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Reported
Pilgrim’s to fund picnic tables at Kurth Primary School[10]
Pilgrim’s announced that it will provide $30,000 in partnership with Kurth Primary School and the Lufkin Independent School District to purchase 25 picnic tables for outdoor eating areas.
Reported
Chick-fil-A sues poultry suppliers over alleged price-fixing[6]
Chick-fil-A sued poultry suppliers in federal court, alleging they coordinated meat-supply pricing and reduced production to raise prices. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a determination of wrongdoing.
Reported
JBS agrees to pay $26.8 million to settle SEC charges[7]
JBS said it would pay the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission $26.8 million in a related agreement concerning accounting irregularities at its U.S. subsidiary Pilgrim’s Pride.
Reported
Pilgrim’s Pride agrees to $110.5 million price-fixing settlement[7]
JBS-controlled Pilgrim’s Pride said it would pay $110.5 million to settle federal charges that it helped fix chicken prices and passed higher costs on to consumers.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Boston Market files broiler price-fixing lawsuit[5]
Boston Market filed a federal lawsuit against poultry companies, alleging they conspired to manipulate broiler prices from 2008 to 2017 and caused it hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges. The allegations are presented as claims in the lawsuit, not as a court determination.
Reported
Workers walk out at Pilgrim's Pride over COVID-19 safety concerns[4]
Workers walked out of Pilgrim's Pride's Cold Spring facility in protest of how the facility was handling worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pilgrim's Pride said it had taken extensive preventive measures and that the brief disruption did not affect operations.
Sources14 sources
- 1Pilgrim's Prideen.wikipedia.org
- 2Pilgrim's Pride agrees to pay $107 million criminal penaltyjustice.gov
- 3Pilgrim's Pride investor relationsir.pilgrims.com
- 4Workers walk out at Pilgrim's Pride over COVID-19 safety concernssctimes.com
- 5Boston Market files broiler price-fixing lawsuitdtnpf.com
- 6Chick-fil-A sues poultry suppliers over alleged price-fixingfoxbusiness.com
- 7Pilgrim’s Pride agrees to $110.5 million price-fixing settlementnews4jax.com
- 8Pilgrim’s Pride 将收购 Kerry Consumer Foods 的肉类及餐食业务specialtyfood.com
- 9Kerry Group同意将Meats and Meals业务出售给Pilgrim’s Prideagriland.ie
- 10Pilgrim’s 将资助 Kurth Primary School 购买野餐桌kicks105.com
- 11Brazilian meatpacker fined $256 million in US for bribesbaynews9.com
- 12Chick-fil-A sues chicken producers for price-fixingruralradio.com
- 13Chick-fil-A sues chicken producers, alleging price fixing on billions of dollars of poultrynbcnews.com
- 14Chick-fil-A sues chicken producers, claims collusion and price-fixingnydailynews.com
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