Country Smoke House

What Country Smoke House does

Country Smoke House is a family-owned specialty food manufacturer, retailer, and processor headquartered in Almont, Michigan, founded in 1988 by Steve and Suzanne Francis. Originally a deer processing operation run from a one-car garage, the business has grown into an integrated platform anchored by a 33,000 square foot retail, manufacturing, and processing facility rebuilt after a 2019 fire. The company self-describes as Michigan's largest deer processor and operates across six customer-facing revenue lines: DTC retail and e-commerce with nationwide shipping, wholesale distribution to Meijer and 20+ independent retailers across Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, custom deer and wild game processing for hunters, full-service catering for events, a seasonal BBQ restaurant (Smokey's BBQ & Bar), and a custom local beef program.

The core product portfolio comprises handcrafted snack sticks, jerky, salami, brats, dogs, bacon, kielbasa, and Southern-style BBQ, all made in-house using natural hardwood smoking techniques and recipes claimed to be six generations strong. Adjacent product lines include pre-ordered Butcher's Bundle fresh-cut frozen meat packages, curated and customizable gift boxes, gourmet grocery items (sauces, rubs, cheeses), summer salsas, pet treats, and digital gift cards. The wholesale program and gift box/catering services extend the brand into corporate gifting and event markets. Pricing is unit-based across product categories, ranging from $7-$14.50 for snack sticks and brats, $15-$30 for salami, $50-$475 for Butcher's Bundles, and $59-$95 for gift boxes, with refrigerated shipping zones spanning the continental United States.

The business model is fundamentally vertically integrated in production (own facility, own processing, own recipes) but multi-channel in distribution, leveraging heritage branding, state food competition awards, and Michigan destination status to drive consumer demand. The company employs 51-100 people and remains privately held with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and ownership concentrated in the founding family. Strategic positioning emphasizes category specialization in wild game processing, traditional smokehouse craftsmanship, and local ingredient sourcing as differentiated alternatives to commodity meat suppliers.

Name

Country Smoke House

Legal name

Country Smoke House

Website

https://countrysmokehouse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Country Smoke House is a family-owned Michigan specialty food manufacturer and retailer (founded 1988) producing handcrafted smoked meats, sausages, jerky, and wild game products for consumers, hunters, event caterers, and wholesale partners through DTC retail, e-commerce with nationwide shipping, deer processing services, catering, and a seasonal BBQ restaurant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Smoked Meats

NAICS

Meat Retailers (445240)

SIC

Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013)

akta.pro primary industry

Smoked Meats & Seafood (Hot/Cold Smoking) (AFANAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ground & Formed Meat Products Manufacturing (Burgers, Sausages, Meatballs) (AFAKALAE), Fermented & Air-Dried Charcuterie (Salami, Pepperoni, Prosciutto-Style) (AFANAEAE), Game & Specialty Meats Wholesale (Venison, Bison, etc.) (AFAIADAG)

Keywords

• Smoked meat products
• Wild game processing
• Gourmet sausages
• Specialty meat retailer
• Artisanal meat snacks

Headquarters

HQ city

Almont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Product Sales: Direct sales of smoked meats, sausages, jerky, snack stix, bacon, and gourmet grocery items through the company's retail store and e-commerce website with nationwide shipping capabilities.
2. Butcher's Bundle Program: Fresh-cut frozen meat bundles sold for in-store pickup, including Angus steaks, choice beef roasts, fresh ground beef, premium pork, and fresh chicken. Customers can build custom bundles with 10% discount on orders $150+.
3. Deer and Wild Game Processing Services: Custom processing of hunter-harvested deer and wild game into various products including snack stix, salami, sausages, and jerky. Minimum 8lb boneless trim requirement for walk-in processing orders.
4. Catering Services: Full-service catering for events large and small, offering Southern BBQ and charcuterie boards. Online ordering available with three days notice, seven days for online orders. Small trays feed 20-25 guests, large trays feed 40-45 guests.
5. Smokey's BBQ & Bar Restaurant: Seasonal outdoor BBQ restaurant and bar opened in 2008, featuring Southern-style BBQ, craft beers on tap, and cocktails. Located adjacent to the main retail store.
6. Wholesale Distribution: B2B sales to independent retailers, outdoor sporting goods stores, and specialty food retailers across Michigan and surrounding states. Products also available through Meijer grocery chain.
7. Custom Local Beef Program: Whole, half, and quarter cow purchases from local Michigan farms with custom cutting options. Deposits encouraged to reserve spot in line during busy seasons.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Country Smoke House manufactures and sells handcrafted smoked meats (snack stix, jerky, salami, brats, bacon, kielbasa, Southern BBQ) made with six-generation family recipes and slow-smoked over natural hardwoods. The company operates a 33,000 sq ft retail, manufacturing, and processing facility in Almont, MI, complemented by an e-commerce storefront with nationwide shipping, a seasonal outdoor BBQ restaurant (Smokey's BBQ & Bar), catering services, butcher's bundles, gift boxes, and Michigan's largest deer and wild game processing service.

Product overview

Country Smoke House is a family-owned gourmet meat and specialty food company operating as a single integrated platform with multiple product lines. The core offerings include handcrafted Snack Stix, Jerky, Salami, Brats & Dogs, Bacon, Kielbasa, and Southern Style BBQ—all made fresh in-house with six-generation recipes and slow-smoked over natural hardwoods. The business extends through add-on modules including Butcher's Bundles (fresh-cut frozen meat boxes for pre-order pickup), Gourmet Grocery Items (artisanal cheeses, rubs, sauces), Gift Boxes (curated and customizable), Summer Salsas (new product line), Pet Shop treats, and a seasonal BBQ restaurant (Smokey's BBQ & Bar). Additional services encompass deer/wild game processing (Michigan's largest), catering for events, local beef programs, nationwide shipping, and wholesale distribution. The company operates 33,000 sq ft retail and manufacturing facility in Almont, MI, founded in 1988, with recipes six generations strong.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smokey's BBQ & Bar: Outdoor BBQ restaurant and bar located at the Country Smoke House location, open seasonally with craft beers, cocktails, and Southern BBQ.

Products and services

• Snack Stix Handcrafted meat snack sticks made fresh in-house using venison, elk, buffalo, beef, and cheddar varieties; high-protein, naturally smoked snacks priced $12-$14.50.
• Jerky Hand-sliced jerky made from beef, venison, elk, turkey, and buffalo, slowly smoked over natural hardwoods; priced $7.50-$8.99.
• Salami Slow-cured salami chubs made in-house in venison, elk, buffalo, and cheddar varieties; priced $15-$30.
• Brats & Dogs In-house made bratwurst, hot dogs, and viennas including cheddar, bacon cheddar, and kosher varieties; State Grand Champion award-winning sausages for grilling and game day.
• Bacon Premium sugar-cured smoked bacon varieties including State Champion, Double Smoked, Peppered, Maple, Cajun, and Apple Cinnamon flavors; priced $9.50-$11.00.
• Kielbasa Polish-style kielbasa and international varieties including Polish, European, Holiday, Roasted, Andouille, Romanian, Chicken, Venison, and Alligator; priced $7.99-$12.99.
• Southern Style BBQ Southern-style BBQ products including Shredded Beef Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Hand Pulled Chicken, slow-cooked with traditional Southern spices.
• Butcher's Bundles Fresh-cut frozen meat bundles for in-store pickup only, including Everyday Bundle ($105), Family Bundle ($145), Griller Bundle ($175), Twenty Five Bundle ($250), Fill Your Freezer Bundle ($475), and Campfire Breakfast ($50); 10% off orders of $150 or more.
• Gourmet Grocery Items Gourmet pantry items including Williams' smoked cheeses, Steve's BBQ rubs and seasonings, sauces (Ole Smokey BBQ, Chicago Sweet BBQ, Sweet Heat BBQ), crackers, pierogi, and jams.
• Gift Boxes Pre-curated and customizable gift boxes featuring smoked meats and gourmet products; Armed Forces Feast ($95), Farm Raised Delight ($59), Hunter's Delight, Wild Game Collection, Best Seller Snack Stix varieties.
• Cheddar Jalapeno Summer Sausage New summer sausage variety featuring premium pork, beef, cheddar cheese, and jalapeno pepper; fermented, slow smoked, and available in Mild, Medium, and Hot heat levels.
• Pet Shop Smoked pet treats including Smoked Dog Bones (Whole Pipe and 1lb Cut Pipes), Smoked Pig Ears, and Country Smoke House Cow Dog Toy; priced $3.50-$14.99.
• Smokey's BBQ & Bar Seasonal outdoor BBQ restaurant and bar featuring Southern BBQ, craft beers on tap, cocktails, and smoked meats; located adjacent to the Country Smoke House facility in Almont, MI.
• Deer & Wild Game Processing Michigan's largest deer processor offering wild game processing services for hunters; minimum 8lb boneless trim required; converts venison into snack stix, salami, sausages, and jerky.
• Catering Services Gourmet catering for events large and small with menu including Award-Winning Southern BBQ and Charcuterie Boards; small trays feed 20-25 guests, large trays feed 40-45 guests; online ordering with 3-day minimum notice.
• Gourmet Burger Box Pre-assembled burger boxes with multiple patty varieties; options include Quarter Pound Box (16 patties), Half Pound Box (10 patties), and Variety Box with multiple gourmet burger varieties.
• Online Gift Cards Digital gift cards redeemable online only; available in $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, and $200 denominations; iPhone users can add to Apple Wallet.
• Local Beef Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 246+ products available for online ordering with nationwide shipping
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• MeijermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional grocery chain carrying Country Smoke House products at multiple store locations, providing retail distribution visibility for the brand.
• Ben's Great OutdoorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent outdoor sporting goods retailer in Marlette, MI carrying Country Smoke House products.
• Jay's Sporting GoodsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutdoor sporting goods retailer with Clare and Gaylord, MI locations, serving the hunting and outdoor enthusiast community.
• Frank's Great OutdoorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutdoor sporting goods retailer in Linwood, MI with Country Smoke House products available.
• Northwoods Wholesale OutletminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale outlet in Pinconning, MI carrying Country Smoke House products.
• Williams Gun Sight & OutfitterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGun shop and outfitter retailer in Davison, MI serving hunters and outdoor enthusiasts with Country Smoke House products.
• Red Barn MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChain of convenience stores/gas stations across Michigan (Casco, North Branch, Pinckney, Sterling Heights, Fenton, Kimball locations) carrying Country Smoke House products.
• K&W CycleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMotorcycle and power sports retailer in Shelby Township, MI carrying Country Smoke House products.
• Detroit City DistilleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Detroit distillery whose Butchers Cut Bourbon is used as an ingredient in the Venison Whiskey Snack Stix product, demonstrating local ingredient sourcing partnership.
• Ole Smokey DistilleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennessee distillery whose Ole Smokey BBQ Sauce and moonshine are featured products in Country Smoke House's gourmet grocery line.
• Michigan DNRminorOthersMichigan Department of Natural Resources partnership enabling on-site sales of hunting licenses, tags, and permits at the retail location during deer season.
• Family Tradition TreestandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Family Tradition Treestand products, offered both in-store and online, complementing the deer processing services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Boar's Head: National deli meat and specialty sausage brand sold through grocery deli counters. Competes with Country Smoke House's bacon, viennas, and smoked sausages at the deli and grocery interface.
• Jack Link's: Largest US jerky and protein snack brand with national CPG distribution. Competes across Country Smoke House's jerky and snack stix lines from a mass-market position, defining the ceiling for category scale.
• Niman Ranch: Premium, sustainably raised pork, beef, and prepared meats brand distributed through specialty grocers, foodservice, and DTC. Comparable premium-and-heritage positioning across smoked meats, hams, and sausages at broader scale.

Direct peers

• Country Archer Provisions: DTC-focused grass-fed beef jerky, stick, and protein snack brand sold through natural/grocery channels and online. Overlaps Country Smoke House in jerky and snack stix categories with a sharper DTC and CPG orientation.
• Kiolbassa Smoked Sausage: San Antonio-based craft smokehouse specializing in smoked sausages, bratwurst, and snack sticks sold regionally and online. Closest direct analog to Country Smoke House in size, craft sausage focus, and brick-and-mortar-plus-DTC model.
• Burgers' Smokehouse: Missouri-based smokehouse specializing in hams, bacon, sausages, and smoked turkeys with strong direct-mail and DTC heritage. Comparable specialty smokehouse operator with national DTC shipping and gift-focused merchandising.
• Nueske's Applewood Smoked Meats: Wisconsin-based family-owned premium smokehouse producing applewood smoked bacon, ham, sausages, and snack sticks sold through specialty retailers, mail order, and wholesale. Comparable craft positioning, Midwest heritage, and channel mix.
• Pederson's Natural Farms: Family-run producer of uncured bacon, hams, sausages, and snack sticks positioned as clean-ingredient alternatives sold through natural and grocery channels. Comparable premium-ingredient, craft sausage/smoked meat manufacturer.

Emerging players

• Chomps: Cape Cod-based DTC meat stick brand with rapid grocery expansion and strong digital marketing. Direct overlap in the snack stix category but with national brand reach and venture-backed scale that Country Smoke House lacks.
• Wild Zora: Small DTC brand specializing in wild game, lamb, and beef meat snacks for paleo and high-protein consumers. Direct overlap with Country Smoke House's wild game (venison/elk/buffalo) positioning at a smaller, more digitally native scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/countrysmokehouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/CountrySmokeHouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecountrysmokehouse
• TikToktiktok.com/@countrysmokehouse
• Xx.com/CSHSmokeHouse

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 Country Smoke House