About Us
OUR SUCCESS STORY
Whenever you rip open a bag of Jack Link’s meat snacks, you get a taste of American tradition: a family-owned business that grew from hard work, high-quality products, a sense of community and a little fun.
That’s the recipe that put us on the map long ago. That’s the recipe that drives us today.
Family-owned and operated for generations
The foundation for Jack Link’s was set in the 1880s when Chris Link came to America from the old country and settled in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. He didn’t bring much with him, but he did bring his family’s sausage recipes. Talk about applaudable priorities.
Soon his sausages and smoked meats became legend. It was all anyone could talk about (or so we hear).
Then came Earl
Continuing the family tradition of taking meat very, very seriously, Chris’ son, Earl Link, later opened Minong’s first general store and butcher shop.
… And a boy called Wolf
In 1916, Earl had a son named Wolf Link who lived in the meat business from day one. Despite his predative name, Wolf grew to be a successful cattleman, raising the finest beef in all the land.
Raising cattle was one thing, but his greatest accomplishment was raising his son, a boy named Jack Link.
The man behind the name
While hunting one day with his boys, Jack had the idea to make jerky with his great-grandfather’s old-world recipes (because, let’s be honest, they were better than anything found in stores). Together, he and his sons worked to create our inaugural product: Jack Link’s original kippered beef steak, an instant classic enjoyed by friends, neighbours and eventually the region.
In 1986, Jack shook up the meat snacks category, selling his namesake beef steaks to convenience stores across Wisconsin.Things escalated quickly when Jack purchased a jerky packaging machine — that’s when Jack Link started selling nationwide, in the stores you can find it in today.
The family tradition continues
Jack Link and his son Troy, CEO, reflect on the history of Jack Link’s meat snacks.
Like the generations before, Troy Link followed in the footsteps of his forefathers. There was no escaping the “meat” in his veins. 130 years and five generations later, Jack and Troy work side by side each day with an unwavering commitment to crafting high-quality, delicious protein snacks.
