Old Folks

What Old Folks does

F.B. Purnell Sausage Co., Inc., doing business as Purnell's and under the "Old Folks" brand, is a privately held, family-owned pork sausage manufacturer founded in 1932 and headquartered at 6931 Shelbyville Rd, Simpsonville, Kentucky. The company produces a portfolio of premium country sausage and related meat products under a family recipe that has been in continuous use for over 90 years, anchored by the signature Original Country Sausage and extended across spicy variants (Spicy Medium, Hot Country), specialty flavors (Sage, Italian, Chorizo, Cheddar Smoked, Smokehouse), clean-label options (All Natural), adjacent proteins (Old Fashioned Franks, Cooked Bratwurst, Bologna, Souse/Head Cheese), and convenience formats (Heat N' Eat, Sausage Biscuits, Sausage Gravy). Manufacturing operates from a single Kentucky facility with no disclosed automation platform or proprietary technology stack beyond the family recipe itself.

The company operates a three-channel go-to-market model: (1) direct-to-consumer e-commerce through its own storefront at itsgooo-od.com, with phone-supported ordering (1-800-626-1512) and nationwide cooler shipping at unit prices ranging from $60 to $95; (2) retail distribution through third-party stores discoverable via a store locator tool; and (3) a dedicated food service division targeting institutional buyers (restaurants, schools, hospitals) with bulk ordering and downloadable spec sheets. Marketing is conducted through recipe content marketing, an extensive video and audio media archive, social media (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram), community event sponsorships (Kentucky Derby Festival, Gravy Cup, Kentucky State Fair), and earned media coverage in outlets such as TheKitchn, Pioneer Woman, and Kentucky Living Magazine.

Ownership remains concentrated within the Purnell family across multiple generations, with no private equity, venture capital, or external institutional investment indicated. Current leadership includes company president Fred "Todd" Purnell, with co-owner Allen Purnell ("Al" or "the Sausage Man") as the public face of the brand. Co-owner Robert Earl Purnell, Sr. died in October 2025 at age 91, creating an ongoing succession event. The company holds no disclosed patents but maintains registered brand identity in "Old Folks" and the "It's Gooo-od!" tagline. Customer base spans individual home consumers, institutional food service buyers, and charitable organizations (including Dare-to-Care Food Bank and Boys & Girls Haven partnerships), with the company recognized as a regional Kentucky heritage brand rather than a national category leader.

Name

Old Folks

Legal name

F.B. Purnell Sausage Co., Inc.

Website

https://itsgooo-od.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Old Folks (F.B. Purnell Sausage Company) is a family-owned Kentucky pork sausage manufacturer founded in 1932 that sells premium country sausage and related meat products directly to consumers via e-commerce, through third-party retail stores, and to institutional food service buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Country Sausage Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Food Manufacturing (3119), Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (42447), Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (424470)

SIC

Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Sausage Manufacturing (Fresh, Cooked, Fermented, Emulsified) (AFANAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hot Dogs, Frankfurters & Bologna (Emulsified/Comminuted Meats) (AFANAEAG), Ethnic & Regional Specialty Meats Processing (Traditional/Regional Variety-Meat Products) (AFANAJAJ), Specialty & Regional Processed Meats (Ethnic/Traditional Sausages, Regional Cures) (AFANAEAK)

Keywords

• Country sausage manufacturing
• Premium pork sausage
• Food service products
• Artisan meat products
• Institutional sausage supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Simpsonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales (Retail Consumer): One-time purchase of sausage products through online store. Prices range from $60-$95 per product. Includes shipping and handling in stated prices.
2. Food Service / Institutional Sales: Bulk product sales to restaurants, institutions, schools, and hospitals through dedicated food service division. Products include breakfast sausage patties, chub/roll sausage, links, bratwurst, and biscuits in institutional quantities.
3. Retail Distribution: Products sold through third-party retail stores identified via store locator tool. Products available at various retail locations across the region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Old Folks (F.B. Purnell Sausage Co., Inc.) manufactures and sells premium country sausage and meat products under the Purnell's "Old Folks" brand using the Purnell family recipe established in 1932. The company offers a broad portfolio including Original Country Sausage, Spicy Medium, Hot Country, Smokehouse, Sage, Italian, Chorizo, All Natural, Cheddar Smoked, Old Fashioned Franks, Cooked Bratwurst, Bologna, Souse/Head Cheese, Sausage Gravy, Heat N' Eat, and Sausage Biscuits, sold through direct e-commerce, third-party retail, and a dedicated Food Service division for institutional buyers.

Product overview

Old Folks (Purnell's) is a pork sausage and meat products company offering a diversified portfolio centered around their signature "Old Folks" country sausage brand established in 1932. The core product line includes Original Country Sausage, Spicy Medium, Hot Country, Smokehouse, Sage, Italian, Chorizo, and All Natural varieties in both patty and roll formats. Extended offerings encompass smoked sausages (Cheddar Smoked), frankfurters (Old Fashioned Franks), bratwurst (Cooked Bratwurst), bologna, souse/head cheese, and value-added products including Heat N' Eat prepared dishes, Sausage Gravy, and Sausage Biscuits. The company also operates a Food Service division supplying bulk institutional products to restaurants and food service operators, along with a General Store merchandise line. The products are available through retail stores, online ordering with direct shipping, and food service channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Old Folks General Store: Merchandise line featuring branded apparel and novelty items.

Products and services

• Original Country Sausage (Medium) The signature medium-spiced pork sausage, considered the company's flagship product since 1932, made with premium cuts of meat and the Purnell family recipe. Sold in patty and roll formats for retail and food service customers.
• Spicy Medium Country Sausage A hotter variant of the classic country sausage with increased spice level, for consumers wanting more heat than the Original Medium. Made with premium cuts of pork and the Purnell family recipe.
• Hot Country Sausage A bold, hot-flavored pork sausage for those who prefer significant heat, made with the Purnell family recipe and premium cuts of meat.
• Smokehouse Sausage Smoked sausage with a distinct smoky flavor profile, made with premium cuts of pork and the Purnell family seasoning.
• Sage Sausage Pork sausage seasoned with sage, ideal for breakfast and stuffing applications. Made with premium cuts of pork and the Purnell family recipe tradition.
• Italian Sausage Italian-style pork sausage with traditional seasonings, suitable for pasta, sandwiches, and grilling. Made with premium cuts of pork.
• Chorizo Mexican-style pork sausage seasoned with chili peppers and spices, for use in tacos, eggs, and other Latin-inspired dishes.
• All Natural Country Sausage Sausage made with no artificial ingredients or MSG, using natural pork, addressing consumer demand for clean-label meat products.
• Cheddar Smoked Sausage Smoked sausage filled with cheddar cheese for a creamy, smoky flavor profile, suited for grilling and snacking applications.
• Old Fashioned Franks Classic hot dog frankfurters with traditional flavor, made with premium cuts of pork and the Purnell family tradition.
• Cooked Bratwurst Pre-cooked bratwurst sausages, ready to heat and serve, suited for grilling and food service applications.
• Old Fashioned Style Bologna Traditional bologna made with classic recipes, expanding the company's processed meat portfolio.
• Souse / Head Cheese Traditional pork-based processed meat product available in mild and hot varieties, sold as a specialty item alongside the core sausage line.
• Purnell's Old Folks Country Sausage Gravy Ready-to-use sausage gravy made with the company's signature sausage, for biscuits and gravy breakfast occasions.
• Heat N' Eat Pre-prepared sausage dishes that can be quickly heated and served, providing convenience for time-pressed households and food service operators.
• Sausage Biscuits Pre-made sausage and biscuit products for quick breakfast service, targeting both household and institutional buyers.
• "Old Folks" General Store Branded merchandise line featuring apparel and novelty items ($6.00–$40.00) carrying the Old Folks character and brand identity.
• Food Service / Institutional Products Bulk institutional product line including various sausage patties, rolls, links, cooked items, and specialty products designed for restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other food service operations. Downloadable institutional spec sheets and sample ordering available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted #1 Best Frozen Breakfast Sausage Pattie by TheKitchn
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Dare-to-Care Food BankminorOthersPurnell's helps Dare-to-Care by processing 10,000 pounds of meat that was donated to the food bank by local area farmers. This is a charitable giving partnership supporting local food security initiatives.
• Boys & Girls HavenminorOthersPurnell's sponsors The Gravy Cup, a biscuits and gravy competition. All proceeds from the event benefit foster children at Boys & Girls Haven.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tennessee Pride: Country sausage brand owned by ConAgra with regional roots in the South. Most direct competitor to Purnell's in the country-style breakfast sausage segment, with overlapping flavor profiles and food service penetration in the same Southern geographies.
• Hatfield Quality Meats: Family-rooted Pennsylvania sausage manufacturer with similar heritage brand positioning, multi-category product line (sausage, bacon, deli meats), and food service distribution. Most directly comparable to Purnell's in heritage narrative and product breadth.
• Williams Sausage Company: Tennessee-based family-owned sausage manufacturer with similar scale, regional heritage positioning, and food service distribution model. Closely comparable to Purnell's in operating geographies, product portfolio, and target customer base.
• Kunzler & Company: Family-owned regional sausage and meat products manufacturer based in Pennsylvania, approaching its own centenary. Closely comparable to Purnell's in scale, family ownership structure, multi-generational heritage, and regional CPG positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Eckrich (Smithfield Foods): National sausage brand offering smoked sausage, breakfast links, and deli meats. Competes with Purnell's Smoked Sausage, Old Fashioned Franks, and Cheddar Smoked varieties across retail and food service channels.
• Johnsonville: Largest US sausage brand with broad portfolio including breakfast sausage, brats, and smoked varieties. Competes with Purnell's across retail and food service channels, particularly relevant to product extensions like Cooked Bratwurst and Cheddar Smoked Sausage.
• Bob Evans Farms: National breakfast sausage brand with strong food service presence in restaurants and grocery. Pursues a similar heritage/Americana positioning to Purnell's and competes directly in the breakfast sausage category, including food service channels Purnell's targets.
• Jimmy Dean Foods (Hillshire Brands / Tyson Foods): National breakfast sausage leader owned by Tyson Foods. Directly competes with Purnell's in the frozen breakfast sausage category, with vastly broader distribution and marketing scale. TheKitchn ranking of Purnell's #1 implicitly positions it against Jimmy Dean as the category benchmark.
• Gwaltney (Smithfield Foods): Regional Virginia-based sausage brand now owned by Smithfield. Competes with Purnell's in the Southeast US with country sausage, bologna, and hot dog products that overlap Purnell's SKU portfolio.

Regional players

• Spartan Specialty Foods: Regional sausage and meat products manufacturer with similar institutional/food service focus and Southern US distribution. Comparable to Purnell's in scale, channel strategy, and customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/purnells.old.folks.sausage
• Instagraminstagram.com/purnellsoldfolkssausage/?hl=en
• Pinterestpinterest.com/purnellssausage
• Xx.com/OldFolksSausage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/f.-b.-purnell-sausage-co.-inc.

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Old Folks