Maverick Ranch announces joint venture and license agreement

Maverick Ranch, a natural and organic meat processor based in Denver, US, announced on Friday (Feb 27) a joint venture with Heritage Acres Foods LLC as well as an agreement to license two of its chicken brands to Boulder Natural Meats.

The company is facing soft sales that have prompted layoffs of approximately 100 employees and temporary plant closures at two of its plants.

The joint venture with Heritage Acres Foods allows the Maverick Ranch brand to be licensed to, operated and marketed under the Heritage Acres umbrella, although products will still be identified as Maverick Ranch.

On future sales, a licensing royalty will be paid for the benefit of Maverick Ranch Associations Inc.'s creditors.

The Maverick Ranch brand includes natural and organic beef, natural pork, natural buffalo, ham, franks, bacon and sausage.

Heritage Acres Foods LLC is a Pleasant Hope, Missouri-based group of diversified livestock farmers.

The Moore family also has licensed the Maverick Ranch brand of air-chilled natural chicken and water-chilled organic chicken to Boulder Natural Meats in Boulder, Colorado.