If you’re a fan of beef jerky, chances are you’ve heard of Slim Jims. These flat, skinny sticks of deliciousness have been a popular snack for decades.
But have you noticed that the original Slim Jim beef jerky seems to have disappeared from store shelves? What happened to it?
In this article, we’ll explore the history of Slim Jims, their current ownership, and why the original flat beef jerky may no longer be available.
So grab a snack (maybe not a Slim Jim if you have a furry friend nearby) and let’s dive in.
What Happened To Slim Jim Flat Beef Jerky?
Slim Jim flat beef jerky was a beloved snack for many years, but it seems to have disappeared from store shelves in recent times. So what happened?
To understand the disappearance of the original Slim Jim beef jerky, we need to look at the history of the brand. Slim Jims were originally produced by Cherry-Levis Food Company before being sold to General Mills for around 20 million dollars. The brand then moved to GoodMark before being acquired by ConAgra in 1998 for a whopping 225 million dollars.
ConAgra is now the owner of Slim Jims and its brand, and they continue to produce the cylindrical meat sticks in at least 21 varieties. However, it seems that the original flat beef jerky may no longer be in production.
There are a few possible reasons for this. One is that the demand for the original flat beef jerky may have decreased over time, leading ConAgra to discontinue its production. Another possibility is that there may have been issues with production or distribution that led to its discontinuation.
Regardless of the reason, many fans of Slim Jim beef jerky are disappointed that they can no longer find the original flat version in stores. In fact, there have been petitions circulating online calling for its return.
The History Of Slim Jims: From Humble Beginnings To National Phenomenon
Slim Jim is a brand of meat-based products that has become synonymous with road trips and snacking. The brand was invented in the 1940s in Philadelphia by Adolph Levis, an American businessman and philanthropist. Levis noticed the popularity of snacks made from dried meat products like pepperoni that were sausage-shaped, and he hired a meat-packer to create a beef stick snack that was smaller and easier for people to eat than normally sized sausages. The original Slim Jims were put in jars of vinegar and sold primarily to local bars for consumption.
To help market the product, a mascot was born, a man with a top hat and a cane, to create a high-class image of the product. Both the mascot and the beef stick snack were called Slim Jim. The brand gained popularity over time, and it was eventually sold to General Mills for around 20 million dollars. The brand then moved to GoodMark before being acquired by ConAgra in 1998 for a whopping 225 million dollars.
Today, Slim Jim is an American snack brand sold globally and manufactured by ConAgra Brands. They are widely available and popular in the United States, with 2015 revenues of $575 million. About 569 million of the cylindrical meat sticks are produced annually in at least 21 varieties.
Despite its success, the original flat beef jerky may no longer be in production. There are petitions circulating online calling for its return, but it remains to be seen if ConAgra will bring back this beloved snack.
The Acquisition Of Slim Jims: Who Owns Them Now?
As mentioned earlier, ConAgra is currently the owner of Slim Jims and its brand. The company acquired the brand in 1998 for a staggering 225 million dollars, and has been producing the popular meat sticks ever since. In fact, the home of Slim Jim snacks in Troy has been recognized for its efficiency in producing about a billion Slim Jim meat sticks every year.
However, ConAgra is not the only company to recognize the potential in the meat snack market. Hershey bought the jerky upstart Krave for over 200 million dollars in 2015, and other companies such as Chef’s Cut, Country Archer, and Stryve have also found success with their own meat snack products. The meat snack market is expected to become a 6 billion dollar industry in the United States by 2027, with smaller companies thriving in the “better for you” market that focuses on healthier alternatives to traditional snacks.
Despite the competition, Slim Jim has enjoyed a long history of successful marketing programs and slow but steady growth over the years. As of now, ConAgra continues to manufacture and sell Slim Jims worldwide, with no indication of slowing down anytime soon.
The Rise Of New Slim Jim Products: Why The Original Flat Beef Jerky May Have Been Discontinued
Despite the discontinuation of the original flat beef jerky, ConAgra has continued to innovate and introduce new Slim Jim products to the market. In recent years, they have expanded their product line to include items such as Slim Jim meat sticks with cheese, Slim Jim smoked snack sticks, and even Slim Jim pork rinds.
This rise of new Slim Jim products may have contributed to the discontinuation of the original flat beef jerky. As consumer tastes and preferences change over time, companies like ConAgra must adapt and introduce new products to keep up with demand. It’s possible that the popularity of these new products may have overshadowed the original flat beef jerky, leading to its eventual discontinuation.
Another factor that may have played a role in the discontinuation of the original flat beef jerky is production costs. As demand for the product decreased over time, it may have become less financially viable for ConAgra to continue producing it. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as changes in ingredient prices or shifts in consumer preferences.
Regardless of the reasons behind its discontinuation, fans of Slim Jim beef jerky can take comfort in knowing that there are still plenty of other options available on store shelves. While they may not be able to enjoy the original flat version anymore, they can still indulge in a variety of other tasty meat snacks from the Slim Jim brand.
