Omaha Steaks facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Mail order Retail Gourmet food |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Headquarters | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Products | Food |
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Number of employees
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1,500 (2022) |
Omaha Steaks is a well-known American company. It makes, sells, and delivers steaks, other meats, seafood, and prepared meals. The company is named after Omaha, Nebraska, where it was started and is still based today.
Contents
The Story of Omaha Steaks
How Omaha Steaks Began
The story of Omaha Steaks began in 1850 in a city called Riga, which is now in Latvia. A man named Lazar Shames started a meat business there. Later, in 1898, his son J.J. Simon and his family moved to the United States. They came through Ellis Island and settled in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha was growing fast because of its meat packing industry.
J.J. and his son B.A. worked as butchers for many years. Then, in 1917, their family started their own meat-cutting business. It was located in downtown Omaha. They named their new company Table Supply Meat Co.
Growing the Business
In 1924, the Simons moved their business to a new spot in Omaha's Old Market area. They began selling their beef to local grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants.
In 1929, B.A. Simon's son, Lester, joined the company. He helped the business grow even more. In the 1940s, Lester made a special deal with the Union Pacific Railroad. This meant Omaha Steaks would be served in the dining cars of their trains. These trains traveled between Omaha, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Mail-Order Meats
The company started its mail-order business in 1952. Orders were packed with dry ice in cardboard boxes lined with wax paper. These packages were shipped by train. In the early 1960s, new ways of shipping helped Omaha Steaks. They started using insulated coolers and vacuum packaging. This made it easier to send products directly to customers.
In 1963, Omaha Steaks sent out its first catalogs to customers. Over time, these catalogs included not just steaks, but also chicken, pork, seafood, side dishes, and desserts. In 1966, the company officially changed its name to Omaha Steaks.
Opening Stores and Going Online
Omaha Steaks opened its first retail store in Omaha in 1976. Before this, you could only buy their products by eating at certain restaurants or ordering from their catalog. By 1984, about half of the company's sales came from catalogs. The other half came from selling to restaurants and hotels.
In 1985, Omaha Steaks opened a store outside Nebraska, in Houston. By 2021, the company had 48 stores in 20 different states.
Omaha Steaks was also one of the first companies to use digital marketing. They placed their first online ad in 1991 on CompuServ. By 1995, they had a strong presence on America Online and their own website. Through these online platforms, they received many customer responses each month.
How Omaha Steaks Works
Omaha Steaks makes and sells many different food items. These include various steaks, seafood, chicken, and pork. They also offer appetizers, side dishes, and desserts. The company's main office is in Omaha, Nebraska.
Omaha Steaks employs about 1,500 people. During busy times, like holidays, they hire more than 3,000 temporary workers. This helps them meet the high demand from customers. The company has several facilities. These include three manufacturing plants, two distribution centers, and a large freezer warehouse.
Omaha Steaks sells its products in many ways. They use mail order, retail stores, and online sales. They also sell to restaurants and hotels. Products are shipped in special coolers with dry ice to keep them fresh. During busy seasons, the company can ship as many as 100,000 packages in a single day!
Todd Simon is the chairman of Omaha Steaks. Nate Rempe is the company's president and chief executive officer.
Marketing and Advertising
Omaha Steaks uses the slogan "America's Original Butcher." They are known for offering high-quality steaks with special packaging and delivery. The company was a pioneer in selling products directly to customers. They continue to use many different ways to reach customers. This includes phone sales, direct mail, online marketing, and their retail stores.
In 1958, Omaha Steaks ran its first ad for mail-order steaks in The New Yorker magazine. They have been advertising in that publication ever since, making them the longest-running advertiser there.
Famous chefs have also worked with Omaha Steaks. Chef James Beard was a spokesperson in the 1970s. Cookbook author Merle Ellis was a spokesperson in the 1980s. In 2010, Omaha Steaks got a trademark for the phrase "The Official Sponsor of Tailgating." In 2020, Chef David Rose became the company's executive chef and spokesperson. He also helps with creating new products.
Cookbooks by Omaha Steaks
Omaha Steaks has published several cookbooks. In 1997, Frederick J. Simon, a great-grandson of the company's founder, wrote The Steaklover's Companion. This cookbook was made with help from famous American chefs. Another book, Beef For All Seasons, came out the next year.
Since then, Omaha Steaks has published many other cookbooks. Some titles include The Great Gathering Guide and Cookbook, Omaha Steaks: Let's Grill, and Omaha Steaks: Meat.
Helping the Community
Omaha Steaks supports many local and national charities. They also help arts organizations and provide education scholarships. Some of the groups they have supported include:
- Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts
- Film Streams
- Santa Fe Opera
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- American Heart Association
- American Cancer Society
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
The company also works with organizations that help with disaster relief, like Mercy Chefs. They also partner with Feeding America and the Food Bank for the Heartland to help provide food to those in need.
Media and Publications
Television Appearances
- Omaha Steaks on CNBC The Big Idea (December 5, 2006)
- Omaha Steaks on Hell's Kitchen (December 10, 2014)
Cookbooks Published
- Harrisson, John, and Frederick J. Simon. Omaha Steaks: Let's Grill. New York: Clarkson Potter, 2001. ISBN: 978-0-6096-0776-3
- Harrisson, John, and Frederick J. Simon. Omaha Steaks Meat. New York, N.Y: C. Potter, 2001. ISBN: 978-0-6096-0777-0
- Simon, Frederick J, John Harrisson, and Mark Kiffin. The Steaklover's Companion: 170 Savory Recipes from America's Greatest Chefs. New York: HarperCollins, 1997. ISBN: 978-0-0601-8781-1
- Simon, Frederick J, and John Harrisson. A year of beef recipes : beef for all seasons. New York: HarperCollins, 1999. ISBN: 978-0-0601-9382-9
- The Great American Grilling Book. New York: Time, Inc. Home Entertainment, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-6032-0020-2
- Omaha Steaks International good life guide and cookbook, a yearly volume
- Great Gathering Guide & Cookbook, a free cookbook and cooking guide with coupons
See also
- Direct marketing
- Gourmet foods
