Brakebush - North America Outlook - issue 36

CHICKEN TO

IMPRESS

BRAKEBUSH FOOD & BEVERAGE

CHICKEN TO

IMPRESS Celebrating over 100 years of excellence, familyowned poultry processor and distributor Brakebush combines innovation, responsible sourcing, and customer-focused solutions to deliver premium products to customers across North America Writer: Lily Sawyer | Project Manager: Harry Thurlow

A

s consumer demand for convenient, high-quality protein continues to evolve in North America, food manufacturers and operators are under increasing pressure to deliver products that balance taste, consistency, sustainability, and value.

Meeting these expectations requires a reliable supply partner with the relevant expertise, scale, and innovation to help customers stay ahead of changing market demands.

For more than 100 years, Brakebush has built its reputation on doing just that.

Reimagining what it means to be family-owned since its founding in 1925 by brothers Bill and Otto Brakebush, the company has grown 2 | North America Outlook Issue 36

from a single Chevrolet delivery truck service in Wisconsin (WI) to one of North America’s leading producers of value-added chicken products.

Today, Brakebush serves restaurants, fast-food franchises, distributors, retailers, and industrial customers from its multiple production facilities across the US, employing more than 2,500 people while remaining committed to the values that have shaped its first 100 years in business.

Dedicated to producing highquality chicken products through responsible sourcing, state-of-theart manufacturing, and exceptional customer service, the company has established itself as a trusted longterm partner to customers seeking

innovative poultry solutions.

As it celebrates its recent centennial, Brakebush continues to build on its legacy by investing in the people, technologies, and sustainable practices that have positioned the business for continued success.

LEADING THE FLOCK From its fully cooked, ready-to-eat products to raw, marinated, grilled, roasted, breaded, and specialty chicken offerings, Brakebush provides an extensive portfolio designed to meet the evolving needs of the modern food industry.

The company’s diverse product range enables it to respond quickly to changing consumer preferences while maintaining the quality and

consistency its customers have come to expect.

Whether supplying quick-service restaurants, causal dining chains, healthcare providers, education facilities, convenience stores, or industrial manufacturers, Brakebush develops products that simplify kitchen operations without compromising on flavor or performance.

Product innovation remains central to this approach, with the company continuously developing new formats and recipes that reflect emerging menu trends, changing dietary preferences, and the growing operational efficiencies demanded by today’s commercial kitchens.

From premium grilled fillets and crispy breaded offerings to products

tailored to meet specialty dietary requirements, Brakebush focuses on delivering solutions that create value throughout the supply chain.

Supporting this diverse portfolio is a sophisticated manufacturing network featuring cutting-edge processing technologies, rigorous quality assurance programs, and advanced food safety systems.

Automated production equipment, precise portioning capabilities, advanced inspection technologies, and comprehensive laboratory testing help ensure every product consistently meets the highest standards of quality and safety.

Combined with Brakebush’s nationwide distribution network and strategic sourcing capabilities,

these investments have allowed the company to deliver dependable service while maintaining the flexibility required to support its customers across the region.

BUILT ON TRUST Brakebush celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, which represents far more than longevity – it reflects a business that has remained true to its founding principles while continually adapting to meet the challenging needs of today’s food industry.

As a fourth-generation, familyowned company, Brakebush continues to place significant emphasis on the values of faith, unity, empathy, legacy, and success – principals that influence North America Outlook Issue 36 | 3

BRAKEBUSH FOOD & BEVERAGE

BRAKEBUSH – A TIMELINE 1925 – Brakebush is founded by brothers Otto and William Brakebush, beginning with one truck delivering poultry, eggs, and sugar to Madison and Milwaukee, WI. 1930s – The brothers begin to pick up local live poultry – dressing, freezing, and delivering to customers in Southern WI. 1940s – Brakebush’s first poultry dressing and freezing facility is built in Westfield, WI. 1960s – The company begins to move into processing pre-cooked chicken and perfects its breading techniques.

1970s – The business takes off as it begins to sell tenders, filets, and nuggets.

2010s – Brakebush expands and scales across North America, acquiring a state-of-the-art portioning facility in 2013 in Irving, Texas, alongside a processing facility in 2016 in Wells, Minnesota and an additional processing facility in 2018 in Mocksville, North Carolina.

2024 – The company opens its newest facility in Hartwell, Georgia.

2025 – Brakebush marks a century of growth, dedication, and success.

Today, Brakebush proudly maintains its roots as a familyowned foodservice chicken processor while delivering its products on a national scale to customers across North America.

4 | North America Outlook Issue 36

every aspect of the organization, from employee development and customer relationships to supplier partnerships and long-term strategic decision-making.

This culture has helped the company establish long-standing relationships across the poultry supply chain built on collaboration, transparency, and mutual trust.

It also saw Brakebush named on Deloitte’s Wisconsin 75 list for 2025, which recognizes the 75 largest privately held companies headquartered in WI and celebrates their significant socioeconomic contributions.

Rather than focusing solely on individual transactions, Brakebush seeks to become a long-term partner by understanding customers’ operational challenges and delivering tailored solutions that support their continued growth.

Equally important is the company’s commitment to responsible animal welfare, sourcing chickens from suppliers that follow stringent animal care standards and industryrecognized welfare guidelines, supported by regular third-party audits and continuous monitoring throughout the production process.

For example, all Brakebush facilities are Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Safe Quality Food (SQF)certified with the highest rating of excellence, while its microbiology food testing laboratory in Westfield, WI has attained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation.

In addition, multiple technologies – including X-ray bone detection equipment – ensure its products are among the safest in the industry, resulting in finished products and raw materials that are traceable from supplier to customer.

This responsible approach not only reflects the company’s values but also contributes directly to product quality. By prioritizing healthy birds, consistent farming practices, and responsible stewardship throughout the supply chain, Brakebush maintains the consistent quality, safety, and reliability its customers have come to expect.

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business practices benefit employees, customers, communities, and the environment alike, the company continues to invest in initiatives that reduce its environmental footprint while strengthening social impact.

Across its manufacturing operations, Brakebush works to improve energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, minimize waste, and increase recycling efforts.

Continuous investment in modern processing equipment enables greater operational efficiency while supporting responsible resource management throughout production.

Food safety remains another cornerstone of the company’s sustainability journey, with comprehensive quality management systems, microbiological testing, product traceability, and continuous process monitoring ensuring Brakebush consistently delivers safe, reliable products to customers nationwide.

Beyond its facilities, the company remains actively engaged within the communities where it operates.

Through charitable giving, employee volunteering, food donations, scholarship initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations, Brakebush supports programs that strengthen education, address food insecurity, and improve community well-being.

By combining environmental stewardship with community engagement and responsible governance, Brakebush continues to demonstrate that long-term business success and corporate responsibility go hand in hand.

THE NEXT 100 YEARS Having successfully navigated over a century of industry change, Brakebush remains focused on preparing for the opportunities ahead.

As consumer expectations evolve, the company is investing in product

innovation, advanced manufacturing technologies, supply chain resilience, and consumer collaborations to remain at the forefront of the poultry industry.

At the same time, Brakebush remains committed to preserving the family values that have underpinned its success since 1925.

By balancing innovation with tradition, it continues to build lasting partnerships while providing highquality poultry solutions that help customers succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Celebrating over 100 years of service represents both a significant milestone and the beginning of the company’s next chapter.

Guided by its enduring values and supported by continued investment in its people, products, and operations, Brakebush is ideally positioned to continue serving North America’s food industry for generations to come.

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