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Colorado Premium, a leading culinary-forward supplier of value-added proteins, has announced the acquisition of Old Hickory Smokehouse. The transaction brings together two established, family-founded organisations to create a specialised infrastructure capable of delivering a highly diversified range of premium cooked protein solutions across North America.
The move marks a significant expansion of Colorado Premium’s technical capabilities, specifically integrating natural smoking processes into its established "water-bath" sous-vide manufacturing model.
The acquisition is designed to address the increasing demand for "multi-modality" protein solutions in the foodservice and retail sectors. While Colorado Premium has built its market leadership on high-precision sous vide and portioned beef and chicken, Old Hickory Smokehouse provides the "artisanal" depth required to compete in the smoked category.
Zack Henderson, Chief Revenue Officer at Colorado Premium, noted that the combination of these two technologies creates a "truly compelling expanded offering." By pairing the scale and consistency of industrial sous vide with the flavour profile of authentic smoking, the organisation can offer a unique value proposition for high-volume customers seeking restaurant-quality, prepared proteins.
Cultural Alignment and Leadership Stability
A primary driver of the deal was the cultural compatibility between the two entities. Both firms were family-founded and have maintained a focus on craftsmanship and ingredient integrity throughout their respective growth cycles.
Dan LaFleur, CEO of Colorado Premium, emphasised that the acquisition is a "natural fit," stating that the shared heritage and commitment to customer service provide a strong foundation for future scaling. To ensure operational continuity, Old Hickory founder Wayne Wolf and his sons, Wayne and Brandon, will continue to play active roles in the business, preserving the technical expertise that defined the smokehouse brand.
Operational Investment and Regional Growth
The acquisition signals an immediate capital injection for Old Hickory’s manufacturing footprint. The partnership will facilitate additional investment in the Lewisburg, Tennessee, facility, enhancing its production capacity and technical infrastructure.
This investment is expected to:
Modernise Production Lines: Upgrading smoking and cooking equipment to meet Colorado Premium’s high-volume industrial requirements.
Expand Workforce Capabilities: Creating new opportunities for team members within the Tennessee region.
Optimise Supply Chain: Integrating Old Hickory into Colorado Premium’s broader distribution network to improve speed-to-market for smoked variants.
The acquisition arrives as the value-added protein market continues to expand, driven by labour shortages in professional kitchens and consumer demand for high-quality, convenient meal solutions.
