In 1945, Ralph F. and Alice Stayer opened a butcher shop in the quaint town of Johnsonville, Wisconsin. Named after this town, the company became known as the producer of the sausage with “big taste” and its products quickly took over breakfast tables and backyard grills across the Midwest. You may have some of their products sitting in your refrigerator right now—Johnsonville Sausage.

After years of growth, in 2000, Johnsonville began a deliberate transition from a strong regio