Turner Enterprises

What Turner Enterprises does

Turner Enterprises, Inc. is a privately held holding and operating company founded in 1976 to manage the business interests, land holdings, and investments of the late Ted Turner. The company oversees approximately 2 million acres across 13 ranches in six U.S. states (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota), including the world's largest private bison herd of ~45,000 animals. Core operating lines are Turner Ranches (sustainable bison ranching, commercial hunting and fishing outfitting), Ted Turner Reserves (a four-property hospitality and eco-tourism brand across 1+ million acres in New Mexico — Vermejo, Ladder, Armendaris, Sierra Grande), Ted's Montana Grill (a 38-location restaurant chain in 16 states featuring bison-centric menus, co-founded with George McKerrow Jr. in 2002), and Turner Renewable Energy (utility-scale solar development and storage investments, with projects in New Mexico, California, and a partnership stake in MERIT SI, LLC).

The revenue model is diversified across hardware/protein sales (bison meat wholesale and through Ted's Montana Grill), professional services (guided hunting and fishing packages through Turner Ranch Outfitting), and recurring hospitality subscriptions (multi-day stays and experiences at Ted Turner Reserves). Renewable energy returns flow primarily through project equity and partnership economics rather than top-line revenue capture. The company also incubates and operates a network of foundations — Turner Foundation (est. 1990, $380M+ given), Turner Endangered Species Fund (est. 1997), Captain Planet Foundation (est. 1991 with Barbara Pyle), United Nations Foundation (1998, seeded by Turner's $1 billion 1997 pledge), and Nuclear Threat Initiative (co-founded 2001 with Sam Nunn) — plus the Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture (ARO, est. 2019, led by Dr. Carter Kruse) structured to protect lands from development in perpetuity.

The company is organized under Co-Chairman Taylor Glover (former SVP, Merrill Lynch Private Client Group, ex-Vice Chairman of Cox Enterprises) and President David K. Withers, with Christine Hung as CFO and Phillip Evans as CCO. It is headquartered at the Turner Building, 133 Luckie Street, Atlanta. Following Ted Turner's death on May 6, 2026 at age 87, the enterprise continues operating under family stewardship. Turner Enterprises is explicitly independent of and unaffiliated with Turner Broadcasting System / Warner Bros. Discovery.

Name

Turner Enterprises

Legal name

Turner Enterprises, Inc.

Website

https://tedturner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Turner Enterprises is a private company managing Ted Turner's ~2 million acres of ranch land across 13 properties in six states, the world's largest private bison herd (~45,000 head), a 38-restaurant chain (Ted's Montana Grill), four luxury eco-tourism reserves, and utility-scale solar investments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diversified Land Management and Bison Ranching

NAICS

Cattle Ranching and Farming (1121), Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming (112111)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Bison Ranching (AFAEAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Livestock & Herd/Flock Operations Management Advisory (Nutrition, Housing, Performance) (AFACAJAL)

Keywords

• Bison ranching operations
• Land conservation services
• Nature tourism hospitality
• Guided hunting outfitting
• Renewable energy development

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Bison Ranching Operations: Commercial bison production across 13 ranches. Revenue generated from bison meat sales through Ted's Montana Grill restaurants and Turner Bison Exchange wholesale distribution to retailers and restaurants. The company operates the largest commercial bison herd in North America with approximately 45,000 animals.
2. Hunting and Fishing Outfitting: Turner Ranch Outfitting offers guided hunting and fishing experiences on Turner ranches across five states. Services include trophy deer, elk, bison, pronghorn hunts, and trout fishing guides.
3. Hospitality and Eco-Tourism: Ted Turner Reserves operates four hospitality properties (Vermejo, Ladder, Armendaris, Sierra Grande) offering nature-based tourism, conservation expeditions, and luxury accommodations across over 1 million acres.
4. Restaurant Operations: Ted's Montana Grill operates 38 restaurants across 16 states, featuring the largest bison menu in the world and sustainable restaurant practices.
5. Renewable Energy Investments: Turner Renewable Energy invests in solar and energy storage infrastructure companies and develops utility-scale solar projects in partnership with Southern Company and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Turner Enterprises manages approximately 2 million acres of ranch and conservation land across 13 ranches in six states, operating the world's largest private bison herd of 45,000 animals. Its commercial operations include bison meat production and distribution, the Ted Turner Reserves hospitality brand (four nature tourism properties), Ted's Montana Grill restaurant chain (38 locations), Turner Ranch Outfitting guided hunting and fishing, and Turner Renewable Energy solar and energy storage investments.

Product overview

Turner Enterprises is a private company managing the business interests, land holdings, and investments of Ted Turner. The portfolio consists of Turner Ranches (approximately 2 million acres of bison ranching and conservation land across 13 ranches), Ted Turner Reserves (hospitality brand with four nature tourism properties), Turner Renewable Energy (solar and clean energy development), and Ted's Montana Grill (restaurant chain with 38 locations). The company also oversees philanthropic foundations focused on environmental conservation, nuclear threat reduction, and youth environmental education. The business model centers on combining economic viability with ecological sustainability across all operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Turner Ranches Approximately 2 million acres of ranch land across 13 properties in six states (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota) managed for bison ranching, commercial hunting, fishing, and ecotourism, integrating economic viability with ecological sustainability.
• Ted Turner Reserves Hospitality brand grounded in conservation offering nature travel experiences across four properties (Vermejo, Ladder, Armendaris, Sierra Grande) totaling over one million acres, providing luxury accommodations and outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
• Ted's Montana Grill Classic American grill restaurant chain featuring bison and beef burgers, with eco-friendly practices and sustainable restaurant operations, operating 38 locations across 16 states.
• Turner Ranch Outfitting Commercial hunting and fishing division offering outfitting opportunities on Turner ranches, including guided hunts for bison, elk, deer, pronghorn, and turkey across multiple properties.
• Turner Renewable Energy Clean energy investment and development division focused on solar projects and renewable energy infrastructure, including investments in MERIT SI, LLC and development of the Luckie Street Solar Project in Atlanta.

Quantifiable outcome

• World's largest private bison herd with 45,000 animals
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Turner Institute of EcoagriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Agricultural research organization (ARO) created by Turner to ensure his lands continue to be protected from development and parcellation after his passing. Operates exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes. Dr. Carter Kruse serves as Executive Director overseeing science and conservation programs.
• New Mexico State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Vermejo Park Ranch extended a grant to New Mexico State University to help fund its Youth Ranch Management Camp, a week-long program educating youth on beef production industry and natural resource management.
• MERIT SI, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Turner Renewable Energy invested in MERIT SI, LLC in January 2018. MERIT SI is a national sustainable infrastructure company with offices in Austin and Houston, Texas and New Jersey. The company develops and delivers innovative solar and energy storage solutions to industrial operators of critical infrastructure across North America. Projects include the nation's first solar power plant for an interstate natural gas pipeline compressor station in New Jersey, owned by Enbridge Energy.
• Southern CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Turner Renewable Energy partnered with Southern Company through Turner Enterprises and Turner Renewable Energy to develop several utility-scale solar projects, including Cimarron Solar in New Mexico, Campo Verde Solar, and Morelos del Sol Solar in California. These collaborations helped Southern Company establish its first utility-scale solar operations and expand its generation portfolio. Additional projects include Macho Springs Solar (New Mexico's largest solar facility at 50 MW) and Calipatria Solar Facility acquisition.
• Nuclear Threat InitiativeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Co-founded by Ted Turner and former Senator Sam Nunn in 2001 with the core objective of eliminating nuclear, biological, radiological, chemical and cyber weapons. Turner served as co-chairman. Turner Enterprises works closely with NTI on this mission.
• United Nations FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Ted Turner pledged $1 billion to the United Nations in 1997, leading to the founding of the United Nations Foundation the following year. The foundation operates offices in New York and D.C. focusing on women and children, disease, energy and climate issues. Turner served as founder and chairman, and Turner Enterprises continues to work closely with the foundation.
• Turner Endangered Species FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Founded by Turner in June 1997, TESF works to conserve biodiversity by emphasizing restoration efforts of endangered or imperiled species on Turner properties. Works with all Turner ranches on species including Desert Bighorn Sheep, Aplomado Falcon, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, black-footed ferrets, and bison. Beau Turner serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
• Captain Planet FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Co-created with Barbara Pyle in 1991 to empower youth to protect and improve the environment through hands-on education and projects. Chaired by Laura Turner Seydel, Ted's eldest daughter. Turner Enterprises collaborates on environmental education initiatives.
• Turner FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Founded by Turner in 1990, the Turner Foundation focuses on safeguarding habitats, bettering communities, sustainable living, and environmental protection. Has given more than $380 million to hundreds of organizations. Manages Turner Community Youth Development Initiative (TCYDI). Turner Enterprises works closely with the foundation on community and conservation programs.
• Montana Hunting CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMontana Hunting Company provides guided elk and deer hunts on Turner ranches in Montana, including Snowcrest and Flying D ranches. Also offers guided bison harvests on Flying D ranch. Longstanding relationship with Turner Ranch Outfitting for Montana-based outfitting services.
• The Field InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTurner Community Youth Development Initiative (TCYDI) awarded funds to The Field Institute in Taos, NM to support and expand nature-based, outdoor education programming, Mountain Camps, and community outreach programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Bison Association members (e.g., North American Bison Cooperative): Industry cooperative representing commercial bison producers and processors in North America — directly comparable in the bison ranching and meat distribution segment where Turner is the largest private producer.
• The Ranch at Rock Creek: Forbes five-star luxury guest ranch in Montana (where Ted Turner Reserves President Jade McBride previously served) — direct comparable in high-end nature-based ranch hospitality.
• Wagonhound Land & Livestock: Wyoming-based ranching operation combining cattle ranching, guest ranching, and outfitting — closely mirrors Turner's mix of commercial ranching, Ted Turner Reserves hospitality, and Turner Ranch Outfitting.
• Babbitt Ranches: Family-owned Arizona ranching operation managing over 700,000 acres of commercial cattle ranching with conservation co-management — comparable to Turner Ranches' integrated livestock + land stewardship model.
• Aman Resorts (Amangiri): Ultra-luxury resort operator where McBride helped open Amangiri — comparable to Ted Turner Reserves' positioning of immersive, low-density luxury nature experiences on large private landscapes.
• King Ranch: One of the largest ranches in the world (~825,000 acres in Texas), operating cattle ranching, agriculture, and wildlife management — the closest direct comparable to Turner Enterprises' integrated bison ranching and conservation model.

Others

• Yellowstone Club: Private ultra-high-net-worth resort community in Montana — adjacent comparable in the exclusive Western US nature/recreation real estate category where Turner Reserves competes for affluent travelers.

Broad incumbents

• Southern Company: Major US utility partner on Turner Renewable Energy's utility-scale solar projects (Cimarron, Macho Springs, etc.) — comparable as the demand-side counterparty in Turner's renewable energy revenue stream.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest broadline foodservice distributor in the US and a key channel for bison meat distribution; comparable as the wholesale distribution backbone that Turner Bison Exchange sells into.

Emerging players

• Roam Artisan Burgers: Multi-unit restaurant concept featuring bison burgers and sustainable sourcing — comparable to Ted's Montana Grill's positioning of bison-forward casual dining, though at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/turner-enterprises

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries10 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 Turner Enterprises