Unmasking the Ownership Behind Matador Beef Jerky

With its bold flavors and sponsorship of extreme sports, Matador Beef Jerky has carved out a niche market amongst thrill-seeking millennials. But who actually owns this edgy meat snack brand? In this article, we’ll peel back the layers and get to the core of Matador Beef Jerky’s ownership.

Jack Link’s is the Parent Company

Matador Beef Jerky is owned by Jack Link’s, the family-owned meat snack giant Founded in 1986 by John “Jack” Link, Jack Link’s produces the #1 selling beef jerky in America The Wisconsin-based company prides itself on using premium cuts of lean meat with no added nitrates or MSG.

In addition to its famousOriginal Beef Jerky Jack Link’s is known for its innovative meat snack varieties like Sweet & Hot Beef Jerky, Turkey Jerky, Beef Sticks and Protein Snacks. The Jack Link’s brand name first appeared on packaging in 1990 and has grown into an iconic presence in the convenience store aisles.

Matador Born from Frito-Lay Partnership

In 2009, Jack Link’s entered into an agreement with snack food titan Frito-Lay to create a new line of meat snacks. This partnership gave birth to Matador Beef Jerky, aiming to capture the attention of young adults with action sports lifestyles.

Frito-Lay brought its immense distribution and sales power to deliver Matador nationwide. Jack Link’s contributed its expertise in meat snack production and quality. It was a perfect marriage to launch Matador as a bold new player in the $2.5 billion meat snack market.

Targeting Younger Consumers

Compared to Jack Link’s more traditional brand image, Matador Beef Jerky positioned itself as edgy and modern. Its name alone conjures up visions of the daring matador taming raging bulls in the ring.

Matador’s packaging features bright colors graffiti-style fonts and extreme sports photography. Flavors like Sizzling Sweet and Smokin’ BBQ evoke a spicy, daring taste. This “cool factor” aims squarely at teens and twenty-somethings looking for an intense snack to fuel their high-octane lifestyles.

Sponsoring Action Sports Stars

To organically grow its street cred with the millennial crowd, Matador signed endorsement deals with top athletes like snowboarder Scotty Lago, BMX rider Dennis Enarson and skateboarder Adam Taylor.

The brand also sponsors major youth events like the Dew Tour, an action sports competition broadcast on NBC. This tight pairing of Matador Beef Jerky with the world of extreme sports helps drive awareness and loyalty with the risk-taking, adventurous 18-28 year old demographic.

Still Part of the Jack Link’s Family

Despite its distinct brand positioning, Matador Beef Jerky remains connected to its parent company Jack Link’s. The Matador logo includes the words “by Jack Link’s” below it to retain that association with an established meat snack maker.

Matador’s website also resides under the JackLink’s.com domain. And Matador’s social media channels frequently cross-promote and collaborate with Jack Link’s to maximize reach. So while Matador has its own spunky personality, Jack Link’s powerful meat snack credibility and resources help boost it along.

What About the Jerky Itself?

Beyond the slick marketing and sports sponsorships, the most important factor is the taste and quality of the jerky itself. Here Matador checks all the boxes.

Matador Beef Jerky starts with prime lean cuts of beef. Generous seasoning and marinating creates robust flavors like Teriyaki, Peppered and the appropriately named “Sizzling Sweet.” The meat then gets slowly smoked to tender, chewy perfection.

Convenient, lightweight bags are perfect for tossing in a backpack or gym bag to power through hikes, skate sessions, road trips and more. A tasty source of protein, Matador Beef Jerky provides satisfying energy to live life to the fullest.

Distribution by the Snack Food King

Leveraging the distribution might of Frito-Lay has allowed Matador Beef Jerky to reach stores nationwide since its 2009 launch. From giant supermarket chains to tiny convenience stores, Matador can be found on shelves across America thanks to Frito-Lay’s snack food dominance.

In-store displays featuring Matador and Jack Link’s together create a meat snack destination for shoppers. Customers can choose between Matador’s bold new flavors or Jack Link’s old school classics to satisfy their jerky cravings.

What Does the Future Hold?

Over a decade since its founding, Matador Beef Jerky continues growing in popularity and expanding its product lineup. While keeping its cool, youthful edge, it also appeals to older customers looking for bolder jerky flavors.

As part of the powerful Jack Link’s family, the future looks bright for Matador Beef Jerky. Its brave matador mascot has already helped conquer the meat snack arena. This brave little brand appears ready to thrive for years to come on the back of quality products and savvy marketing.

The origins of Matador Beef Jerky began with a smart partnership between snack food titans Frito-Lay and Jack Link’s. With Jack Link’s continued nurturing, Matador sausage has carved out its niche as the cool, edgy choice in the meat snack aisle.