While many things have changed in recent years in the meat industry, there has remained at least one constant. Namely, consumers just can’t get enough bacon. As a sandwich filler, as a pizza topping, as a breakfast side or just by itself, bacon is in high demand in restaurants or retail channels. As the bacon sector has boomed, discerning consumers have been willing to spend a little more to buy just the right product – the brand with the best flavor, the best packaging, the best attributes, etc. That demand for something different — a little higher-end product — has turned consumers on to Pederson’s Natural Farms more and more often. The small Texas company caused a big stir several years ago when it introduced a sugar-free bacon to the market. Pederson’s continues to use every tool at its disposal to maintain that strong relationship with its consumers.
Last year, as consumers were forced to cook at home more often, they indulged in high-quality bacon, and Pederson’s enjoyed record sales of $70 million as a result. It’s no overnight success story, though. Twenty years ago, the company had a handful of employees and no real identity. Its steady growth of the last few years has been the result of advancements in branding and product development — not to mention considerable sweat equity.