Meats by Linz,Inc.
Meats by Linz is a fourth-generation, family-owned premium meat distributor founded in 1963, serving steakhouses, restaurants, country clubs, resorts, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues via its proprietary Linz Heritage Angus genetics program, vertically integrated ranch-to-plate supply chain, and a national distribution network spanning the U.S. and international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersCalumet City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Meats by Linz,Inc. does
Meats by Linz, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned premium meat distributor and purveyor headquartered in Calumet City, Illinois, with a new 120,000 sq ft USDA- and SQF-certified processing facility opened in 2024 in Hammond, Indiana. Founded in 1963 when Martin Linz opened a local butcher shop, the business shifted to wholesale foodservice in 1986 and has grown to approximately 400 employees serving steakhouses, fine-dining restaurants, country clubs, resorts, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues across the U.S. and internationally. The company operates a vertically integrated supply chain anchored by the proprietary Linz Heritage Angus Black Angus genetics program (est. 2012), the 5,000-acre Blue Branch Ranch in Byars, Oklahoma, the 10,000-head Timpas Feedlot in Rocky Ford, Colorado, and one of the largest dry-age rooms in the country (20,000-muscle capacity).
The product portfolio spans beef (Linz Heritage Angus Prime/Reserve/Choice tiers, commodity Prime and Choice, and Wagyu from U.S., Australian, and Japanese A5 sources), pork, lamb, veal, poultry, wild game and exotics, and provisions (hot dogs, charcuterie, stocks and sauces), supported by the proprietary Chicago Trim Standard cutting specification and custom portion control and wet/dry aging (2 weeks to 85+ days). Distribution is hybrid: a direct enterprise field-sales force with regional account managers covering Chicago, Texas, Florida, the Southeast, the Southwest, the East Coast, and international markets, supplemented by five regional distribution centers (Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, Phoenix) and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront, The Linz Shop.
Revenue is generated through quote-based B2B transaction pricing for wholesale protein and a smaller DTC e-commerce line, with a long-tenured customer base that includes St. Elmo Steak House, Jeff Ruby's, Maple & Ash, Ruth's Chris Steak House, STK, Kinzie Chophouse (35-year partnership), and resort and casino operators. The company has remained privately held and self-funded across four generations of Linz family leadership, with Frederick Linz (CEO, 3rd generation) and Zac Linz (COO, 4th generation) at the helm alongside a professionalized C-suite including a Chief Sales Officer, CFO (joined 2018), and senior directors in production, logistics, quality, warehousing, HR, and marketing.
Meats by Linz,Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Meats by Linz,Inc.
- Legal name
- Meats By Linz, Inc.
- Website
- https://meatsbylinz.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Meats by Linz is a fourth-generation, family-owned premium meat distributor founded in 1963, serving steakhouses, restaurants, country clubs, resorts, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues via its proprietary Linz Heritage Angus genetics program, vertically integrated ranch-to-plate supply chain, and a national distribution network spanning the U.S. and international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Meats by Linz,Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Meat Distribution & Purveying
- NAICS
- Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (424470), Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116), Meat Retailers (44524)
- SIC
- Meat Packing Plants (2011), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beef Wholesale (Primal/Subprimal, Boxed Beef) (AFAIADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Game & Specialty Meats Wholesale (Venison, Bison, etc.) (AFAIADAG), Bulk Meat & Seafood Wholesale-to-Consumer (CRAHAMAI)
Keywords
Where Meats by Linz,Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Calumet City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
Meats by Linz,Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Wholesale Food Service: B2B wholesale distribution of premium beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry, and wild game to steakhouses, restaurants, resorts, country clubs, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues. Custom portion control and aging programs. Primary revenue driver.
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Retail sales through The Linz Shop (shop.linzheritageangus.com) for individual consumers to order steaks, ground beef, hot dogs, and gift packages for home delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Linz Heritage Angus Prime - Highest marbling grade |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Linz Heritage Angus Reserve - Upper 2/3rds Choice |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Linz Heritage Angus Choice - Standard Choice grade |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Commodity Prime and Choice |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Meats by Linz is a fourth-generation, family-owned premium meat distributor and purveyor that supplies center-of-the-plate proteins to leading steakhouses, restaurants, resorts, country clubs, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues. Its core offering centers on the proprietary Linz Heritage Angus Black Angus program (conception-to-plate control via 5,000-acre ranch, 10,000-head feedlot, and AI/embryo transfer genetics), supplemented by sourced beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry, wild game, and Wagyu products, with custom portion control, Chicago Trim Standard cutting, and wet/dry aging (up to 85+ days) as differentiators. A secondary direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel (The Linz Shop) sells individual cuts and gift packages to home consumers.
Product overview
Meats by Linz is a premium meat distributor and purveyor offering a comprehensive portfolio of center-of-the-plate proteins to foodservice operators including steakhouses, restaurants, resorts, country clubs, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues. The company operates as a single unified offering centered on its proprietary Linz Heritage Angus Black Angus genetics program, complemented by sourced proteins (pork, lamb, veal, poultry, wild game), specialty provisions, and value-added services including custom portion control and wet/dry aging programs. The product line includes signature beef cuts (Tenderloin, Strip, Ribeye, Top Butt, Top Blade, Short Rib), Wagyu offerings, and consumer-ready items like burger blends and all-beef hot dogs. The company differentiates through its conception-to-plate control model, USDA-inspected and SQF-certified facilities, and the Chicago Trim Standard for custom specifications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Linz Heritage Angus: The company's proprietary Black Angus genetics and beef program, established in 2012, controlling every aspect from conception to plate with verified genetics, ranching operations, and feedlot management.
Products and services
- Beef Premium wholesale beef including the proprietary Linz Heritage Angus Black Angus program, commodity beef, and Wagyu offerings, featuring custom portion control and wet/dry aging programs for foodservice operators.
- Pork High-quality pork sourced from trusted partners including Compart Family Farms, Red Top Farms, Campo Grande, and Berkridge Berkshire, offering commodity and heritage breed programs with custom portion control.
- Lamb
- Veal
- Poultry
- Wild Game & Exotics
- Provisions
- Linz Heritage Angus The company's signature Black Angus genetics program established in 2012, controlling every aspect from conception to plate with verified genetics, AI and embryo transfer, Blue Branch Ranch in Oklahoma, and Timpas Feedlot in Colorado.
- Wagyu Beef
- Signature Burger Blends
- Linz Heritage Angus All Beef Franks
- Steakhouse Preferred Custom Specification & Aging Program
- Beef Aging Programs (Wet and Dry Aging)
- Custom Portion Control
- The Linz Shop Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce Direct-to-consumer retail site for ordering steaks, ground beef, hot dogs, and gift packages for home delivery.
Quantifiable outcome
- One of the largest dry age rooms in the country holding up to 20,000 muscles at one time
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Meats by Linz,Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers24 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Anthony Randall - Timpas FeederscoreIn 2022, Fred Linz and Anthony Randall (Cattle Procurement Manager) acquired Timpas Feeders in Rocky Ford, Colorado. This 10,000-head capacity feedlot allows Linz Heritage Angus to track calves' progress including daily gains, consumption, and carcass scanning data, continuing to improve the program's genomics on the registered Angus side.
- Compart Family FarmscorePork partner supplying commodity and heritage breed programs. Provides high-quality pork cuts including ribs, chops, loin, tenderloins, racks, and shanks portion cut at Meats by Linz facility.
- Red Top FarmscorePork partner supplying Berkshire pork and additional protein options. Also provides grass-fed beef, bison, and Berkshire pork products.
- Campo GrandecorePork partner supplying Iberian pork products including Campo Grande Iberico offerings.
- Berkridge BerkshireminorPork partner supplying Berkshire breed pork products known for superior marbling and flavor.
- Superior FarmscoreLamb partner supplying domestic lamb options. Leading lamb provider with quality-focused operations.
- FletchercoreLamb partner supplying domestic and international lamb options to accompany Meats by Linz beef offerings.
- Provimi FoodscoreVeal partner supplying custom portion controlled veal from like-minded producers following industry best practices.
- Bell & EvanscorePoultry partner supplying premium chicken that is hand trimmed, tender, flavorful, high yield, and 100% air chilled. Also supplies turkey products.
- Gerber's Amish FarmminorPoultry partner supplying Amish farm-raised poultry products with focus on quality and traditional farming practices.
- Manchester FarmsminorPoultry partner supplying specialty poultry products.
- Miller PoultryminorPoultry partner supplying quality poultry products to round out center of plate offerings.
- Aladora ArtisanminorDuck partner supplying whole duck, breast, confit, foie gras, and duck fat products.
- Snake River FarmscoreWagyu partner supplying American Wagyu beef products known for excellent marbling and quality.
- Westholme WagyucoreWagyu partner supplying Australian Wagyu beef products with exceptional marbling standards.
- A5 Wagyu (Tohoku, Miyazaki, Kagoshima)coreJapanese Wagyu partners supplying premium A5 BMS 10+ Japanese beef from Tohoku, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima regions.
- BroadleafminorWild game and exotic protein partner supplying unique and hard-to-find proteins for specialty menu offerings.
- Nueske'scoreProvisions partner supplying applewood smoked meats including bacon and other smoked products.
- Stock Shop Co.minorProvisions partner supplying stocks, glaces, and sauces to complement center of plate proteins.
- FontaniniminorProvisions partner supplying Italian-style meats and charcuterie products.
- TempestaminorProvisions partner supplying specialty charcuterie and salumi products.
- Fremantle OctopusminorProvisions partner supplying octopus products including whole octopus, arms, and切片.
- ICON XB WagyucoreWagyu partner supplying Australian Wagyu that blends finest Japanese bloodlines with Australian landscape purity.
- Grass Run FarmsminorBeef partner supplying 100% Grass Fed & Finished American Angus Beef for customers seeking grass-fed options.
- Mishima ReserveminorWagyu partner supplying American Wagyu Beef under Mishima Reserve brand.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Greater Omaha Packing Co. Produces premium boxed beef and custom portion-cut programs for high-end foodservice operators in the US. Highly comparable to Meats by Linz as they also supply premium steakhouse and white-tablecloth clients with portion-controlled, aged beef.
- Allen Brothers: Chicago-based premium steakhouse beef purveyor offering custom-cut, dry-aged beef to fine-dining establishments. Highly comparable to Meats by Linz with shared Chicago heritage, steakhouse customer base, custom portion control, and dry-aging programs.
- Snake River Farms: Supplies American Wagyu and premium dry-aged beef to fine-dining restaurants and via DTC channels. Highly comparable to Meats by Linz as they compete in the same premium steakhouse supply market and are even a current Linz Wagyu partner.
- Creekstone Farms: Produces premium Black Angus beef, including natural and antibiotic-free programs, for foodservice operators and retailers. Comparable to Meats by Linz for premium Black Angus positioning, dry aging, and supply to white-tablecloth restaurants.
- Lobel's of New York: Sixth-generation, family-owned premium meat purveyor in NYC specializing in dry-aged steaks and custom cuts for steakhouses and high-end retailers. Highly comparable to Meats by Linz with its multi-generation family heritage, dry-aging expertise, and premium steakhouse customer mix.
- Omaha Steaks: Multi-generation family business specializing in direct-to-consumer premium beef, pork, and seafood. Comparable to Meats by Linz due to family ownership, multi-protein offering, and premium positioning; differs in being primarily DTC vs. foodservice-focused.
Broad incumbents
- Certified Angus Beef: Largest branded beef program in the US, licensing the Angus brand to many packers and producers for foodservice and retail distribution. Comparable to Meats by Linz for premium Black Angus positioning but operates as a broader industry-wide licensing program rather than a vertically integrated purveyor.
- JBS USA: Largest US protein producer, providing beef, pork, and poultry across broadline foodservice and retail channels. Comparable to Meats by Linz only in broad category terms (premium beef purveying) but operates at a vastly larger scale across multiple proteins.
- National Beef Packing Company: One of the largest US beef packers, supplying boxed beef and value-added products to retail and foodservice. Comparable to Meats by Linz in being a major beef supplier to foodservice but operates at vastly larger commodity-focused scale rather than premium steakhouse specialty purveying.
- Sysco: Largest broadline foodservice distributor in North America, supplying restaurants, hotels, and country clubs with full protein portfolios including Allen Brothers post-acquisition. Comparable to Meats by Linz due to overlapping steakhouse and country club customers, though Sysco operates a broadline portfolio rather than premium-specialist purveyor model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Meats by Linz,Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceMeats by Linz,Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Meats by Linz,Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Meats by Linz,Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Meats by Linz,Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Meats by Linz,Inc.
What does Meats by Linz,Inc. do?
Meats by Linz is a fourth-generation, family-owned premium meat distributor and purveyor that supplies center-of-the-plate proteins to leading steakhouses, restaurants, resorts, country clubs, casinos, cruise lines, and sporting venues. Its core offering centers on the proprietary Linz Heritage Angus Black Angus program (conception-to-plate control via 5,000-acre ranch, 10,000-head feedlot, and AI/embryo transfer genetics), supplemented by sourced beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry, wild game, and Wagyu products, with custom portion control, Chicago Trim Standard cutting, and wet/dry aging (up to 85+ days) as differentiators. A secondary direct-to-consumer e-commerce channel (The Linz Shop) sells individual cuts and gift packages to home consumers.
Is Meats by Linz,Inc. a public or private company?
Meats by Linz,Inc. is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Meats by Linz,Inc. founded?
Meats by Linz,Inc. was founded in 1963. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Meats by Linz,Inc. based?
Meats by Linz,Inc. is headquartered in Calumet City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Meats by Linz,Inc. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wholesale Food Service is the primary driver. The others are direct-to-Consumer E-commerce.
Who are Meats by Linz,Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Greater Omaha Packing Co., Allen Brothers, Snake River Farms, Creekstone Farms, Lobel's of New York and Omaha Steaks. Broad incumbents are Certified Angus Beef, JBS USA, National Beef Packing Company and Sysco.
Does Meats by Linz,Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Meats by Linz,Inc..
What industry is Meats by Linz,Inc. in?
Meats by Linz,Inc.'s product category is Premium Meat Distribution & Purveying. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIADAA, Beef Wholesale (Primal/Subprimal, Boxed Beef), with a secondary code of AFAIADAG, Game & Specialty Meats Wholesale (Venison, Bison, etc.). Its NAICS code is 424470 and its SIC code is 2011.