A push to blend traditional smoking with sous vide cooking has driven Colorado Premium’s purchase of Old Hickory Smokehouse, a Tennessee-based smoked protein specialist.

The deal marries complementary preparation methods at a time when foodservice and retail customers are demanding diverse value-added protein formats.

Founded by Wayne Wolf, Old Hickory Smokehouse manufactures premium smoked and cooked proteins from its facility in Lewisburg, Tennessee.

The founder’s sons, Wayne and Brandon, will stay with the business as additional investment flows into the site following the transaction.

Colorado Premium, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, produces sous vide, portioned, marinated and ground beef, chicken and other proteins.

Its customer base includes foodservice operators, retailers, direct-to-consumer partners and industrial accounts.

CEO Dan LaFleur said the two companies share a family-founded heritage and a commitment to craftsmanship, calling the combination a natural cultural fit.

Chief Revenue Officer Zack Henderson noted that the merged group will offer a wider portfolio of smoking and sous vide capabilities.

“Old Hickory Smokehouse has built a strong reputation for quality,” he said, adding that pairing that expertise with Colorado Premium’s scale creates new opportunities for customers.