If you grew up in the United States, chances are you’ve heard of Hickory Farms. The company was known for its delicious beef sticks, which were a popular snack during the holiday season.
This article will talk about the history of Hickory Farms and try to figure out what happened to their famous beef sticks.
For many Americans, the holiday season just wasn’t complete without a Hickory Farms beef stick. The popular snack became a staple in households across the country. But in recent years, fans have noticed that Hickory Farms beef sticks seem to have vanished from store shelves. What happened to this iconic snack? Let’s unravel the mystery.
A Brief History of Hickory Farms
To understand what happened to Hickory Farms beef stick, we first need to know a bit about the company’s origins. Hickory Farms was founded in 1951 by Richard Ransom in Ohio. The company started out selling artisanal cheese at local fairs before opening its first retail store in 1959.
By the 1960s, Hickory Farms had begun selling their now-famous beef stick – a 4-pound smoked sausage. It quickly became one of their most popular items. Throughout the 70s and 80s, Hickory Farms continued to expand, with hundreds of stores and kiosks popping up in malls across America. The beef stick remained a staple product during this time.
The Rise and Fall of the Beef Stick
In the 90s and 2000s, things began to change for Hickory Farms As mall traffic declined, the company shifted strategies, focusing more on online and catalog sales Many retail locations closed as a result. The product lineup also began evolving, moving away from the original cheese and smoked meats.
Despite these changes, the Hickory Farms beef stick remained a strong seller, especially during the holidays. But over time, even this iconic snack started disappearing from the lineup. By the late 2000s into the 2010s, the beef sticks were gone for good.
Why Did Hickory Farms Get Rid of the Beef Stick?
So what exactly happened that caused Hickory Farms to ax their legendary beef stick? There are a few leading theories
Changing consumer preferences: As trends shifted toward healthier snacks, the indulgent beef stick may have fallen out of favor. Hickory Farms may have decided to discontinue it due to declining demand.
Food allergy concerns: With rising rates of food allergies, Hickory Farms may have faced concerns over allergen labeling and safety. The liabilities may have convinced them to nix the beef stick.
New company direction: In 2010, Hickory Farms was acquired by Modjule LLC. This change in ownership and management may have come with a new vision that didn’t include the classic beef stick.
Supply chain issues: Manufacturing and sourcing issues may have made it difficult for Hickory Farms to keep producing the labor-intensive, handmade beef stick profitably.
While the exact reason is uncertain, it seems some combination of these factors likely sealed the beef stick’s fate.
What Happened to Hickory Farms After the Beef Stick?
The disappearance of the beef stick didn’t spell the end for Hickory Farms. Today, the company continues to sell an assortment of gift baskets, gourmet foods, chocolates, wines, cheeses, and sausages through its online store and holiday mall kiosks.
However, many fans still pine for the original Hickory Farms beef stick. A quick search online reveals no shortage of people longing for its return. There’s even a Facebook group called “Bring Back Hickory Farms Beef Sticks!”
While it’s unlikely the iconic snack will ever return, the nostalgia and love for it remain strong. For many, Hickory Farms just isn’t the same without the beef stick.
The Legacy of Hickory Farms Beef Stick
Though no longer sold by Hickory Farms, the influence and memories of the beef stick persist. It remains one of the company’s most famous and beloved products. For older generations who grew up with it, the beef stick still conjures nostalgic feelings of the holidays.
The Hickory Farms beef stick also helped shape consumer expectations for smoked and summer sausages. Its popularity certainly contributed to the demand for meat snacks and charcuterie that exists today.
While its glory days have passed, the legacy of this tasty snack continues to be felt. The Hickory Farms beef stick remains an iconic product, as well as a piece of Americana from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It may be gone, but for many fans, it won’t be forgotten.
Where to Find Hickory Farms Beef Sticks Today
So where can beef stick lovers get their fix today now that Hickory Farms no longer makes them? There are a few options:
-
Nostalgic online sellers – Some ecommerce sites specialize in bringing back discontinued foods. A few offer vintage Hickory Farms beef sticks for sale.
-
Copycat recipes – A quick online search yields dozens of recipe hacks by fans trying to recreate the Hickory Farms beef stick at home.
-
Similar products – Many brands like Publix, Duke’s, and Bridgford make beef sticks that aim to mimic the Hickory Farms taste and texture.
-
eBay & secondhand – Vintage Hickory Farms beef sticks sometimes pop up on online auction sites, often selling for exorbitant prices due to demand.
For hardcore devotees, it is still possible to get your hands on the discontinued snack through these channels. But there’s no denying the original remains the ultimate beef stick experience for many.
The Takeaway
Changing tastes and business decisions change the face of the snack aisle. For nostalgic snackers, discontinued favorites like the Hickory Farms beef stick leave a void. While the exact reason for its demise remains uncertain, this snack’s enduring fanbase proves its enduring legacy. Even if they can’t bring back the original, for those who remember this holiday treat fondly, the memories live on.
The Rise Of Hickory Farms And Their Beef Sticks
Hickory Farms started out as a produce market in Sandusky, Ohio, founded by cousins Richard and Earl Ransom. Seeking a business to even out their highly seasonal work, the cousins casted around for new opportunities. They put their idea to the test in a small booth at a 1950 home show in Toledo because they thought people would want old-fashioned wheels of Swiss and cheddar cheeses like the ones they remembered from their childhood. Because the first booth did so well, the partners started giving two-person crews permission to set up kiosks at fairs across the country.
In 1956, Hickory Farms introduced their now-famous beef stick, which was a four-pound, two-foot-long smoked summer sausage. The beef stick quickly became a hit, and by 1959, Hickory Farms was selling 1. 5 million pounds of beef stick via over 250 temporary booths as well as mail order. The business kept getting bigger and bigger. By 1964, they said they had booked more booth space at trade shows and fairs than any other company in the world.
Over the years, Hickory Farms beef sticks have become more and more popular, and they are now a must-have holiday snack. Because the company now focuses on gift baskets and boxes, wine gifts, chocolates, and charcuterie gifts instead of beef sticks, they are no longer selling those items. Many people still remember and love Hickory Farms and their famous beef sticks, even though it’s not clear why the company switched from making those snacks.
What Happened To Hickory Farms Beef Stick?
Hickory Farms was a popular American food gift retailer that was founded in 1951 by Richard Ransom. At first, the company sold hand-made cheese at local fairs. By 1959, they had added summer sausage to their products and opened their first store in Maumee, Ohio.
Hickory Farms became famous over the years for their tasty beef sticks, which were a popular holiday snack. But, the company has changed a lot in the last few years, and their famous beef sticks are no longer available.
In 2000, Hickory Farms shifted away from year-round mall-based locations and focused on internet and catalog sales. As a result, the company closed its remaining year-round mall stores. These companies still have holiday pop-up shops and kiosks in malls, but they no longer sell beef sticks. Instead, they sell gift baskets and boxes with wine, chocolates, and charcuterie.
In addition to these changes, Hickory Farms was acquired by Modjule, LLC, a Chicago-based private investment firm. Modjule’s strategy is based on years of running and investing in different businesses, but it’s not clear if this purchase had anything to do with the beef sticks going away.
Unbiased Review Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage 10 Ounce
FAQ
Who owns Hickory Farms now?
Can you eat the casing on hickory farm summer sausage?
What’s the best summer sausage?
Does Hickory Farms have beef summer sausage?
Complement any savory cheese and cracker platter with the rich flavor of the award-winning Beef Summer Sausage from Hickory Farms. Order our delicious Beef Summer Sausages and taste why it has been rated the #1 Summer Sausage in America by the American Masters of Taste since 2011. Buy More & Save!* Buy More & Save!* Buy More & Save!*
Does Hickory Farms have smoked meat?
There’s nothing quite like the fine taste and smoked flavor of this renowned meat product. Great for cooking or just plain snacking, it’s found only at Hickory Farms of Ohio. DON’T MISS: Charming classic Christmas treats to give: Vintage holiday recipes from the 1960s
What size is Hickory Farms summer sausage?
Hickory Farms summer sausage comes in a 26 oz size that’s perfect for parties, beef snack sticks that are easy to grab and go, and spicy summer sausage if you prefer your beef snacks with a little kick. Summer sausage and cheese makes a great hearty snack or party appetizer because all our beef summer sausages are ready to eat.
Why should you buy a food gift Pak at Hickory Farms?
The food gift paks feature quality specialty foods including the exclusive Beef Stick Summer Sausage and a number of fine cheeses for which Hickory Farms of Ohio is famous. Such gifts are appreciated for quality goods appeal to everyone. ALSO SEE: 12 abandoned malls & the history of their heartbreaking decline