Colorado Premium Acquires Old Hickory Smokehouse to Add Smoked Protein Capabilities

Why It Matters

The acquisition broadens Colorado Premium’s product range, positioning it to meet growing demand for smoked proteins alongside its sous‑vide offerings. This expanded capability enhances its competitive edge in the fast‑growing value‑added protein market.

Key Takeaways

• Colorado Premium acquires Old Hickory Smokehouse, adding smoked proteins.
• Acquisition expands Colorado Premium’s portfolio beyond sous‑vide to smoked products.
• Old Hickory’s Tennessee facility will receive investment and retain family leadership.
• Combined capabilities create a larger, diversified protein platform for foodservice.

Pulse Analysis

The U.S. protein sector is evolving as consumers seek convenience without sacrificing flavor or quality. Sous‑vide cooking has gained traction for its precise temperature control, while smoked proteins appeal to taste‑driven, ready‑to‑eat markets. By merging these complementary technologies, Colorado Premium taps into two high‑growth trends, positioning itself to capture a larger share of foodservice distributors, institutional kitchens, and retail chains that prioritize premium, shelf‑stable proteins.

Old Hickory Smokehouse brings a legacy of handcrafted smoking processes and a fully equipped Tennessee plant capable of producing sliced, shredded, and whole‑muscle products. The acquisition not only adds a new product line but also introduces operational synergies: Colorado Premium’s scale in sous‑vide production can be leveraged to optimize supply chain logistics, while Old Hickory’s expertise accelerates time‑to‑market for smoked offerings. The founders’ decision to keep their sons in leadership ensures continuity of brand reputation and preserves the family‑centric culture that both companies value.

Industry analysts view the move as a strategic response to rising demand for protein variety and clean‑label options. With the combined portfolio, Colorado Premium can offer bundled solutions—such as smoked‑then‑sous‑vide items—that simplify procurement for chefs and reduce inventory complexity. This integrated approach is likely to drive higher margin sales and open doors to new contracts with national restaurant groups, further solidifying the company’s position as a diversified protein powerhouse.

Deal Summary

Colorado Premium, a value‑added protein manufacturer, announced the acquisition of Old Hickory Smokehouse, a family‑owned smoked and cooked protein producer. The deal expands Colorado Premium’s portfolio by adding naturally smoked proteins to its sous‑vide offerings and will bring additional investment to Old Hickory’s Lewisburg, Tennessee facility.