Red Bird chicken is now a popular choice for restaurants and home cooks all over the country. But where does this high-quality chicken come from? This article will look at the history and roots of Red Bird chicken to find out what makes it special.
A Tokyo Native Brings His Butcher Skills to Colorado
The story of Red Bird chicken begins with Mareo Torito, a Tokyo native who moved to Colorado in 1975 at the age of 25 Torito came to help oversee six Colorado locations of the Japanese fast-casual chain Yoshinoya Beef Bowl
After Yoshinoya went bankrupt in 1980, Torito decided to stay in Colorado because he had met his wife Maylis, a Panama native working as a waitress at Yoshinoya. With his butcher skills learned at Yoshinoya and $2,500 in savings, Torito started a beef distribution company called International Food Processors (IFP) in 1981.
In 1986 inspired by his time at Yoshinoya Torito opened Kokoro, a Japanese restaurant in Denver serving rice bowls, noodles, and sushi. While Kokoro was a success, Torito kept a close watch on food trends and realized portion-controlled skinless chicken breasts would be the next big thing.
Acquiring an Established Local Brand
Torito purchased Englewood-based Red Bird Farms in 1991 from owners in Arkansas. Founded in 1949, Red Bird Farms already had a strong reputation in the poultry world.
Torito soon closed IFP to focus solely on Red Bird sticking to a simple strategy – maintain Red Bird’s fan base among chefs and grocery shoppers through rigorous quality control and fresh small-batch processing.
Premium Practices Set Red Bird Apart
Red Bird sets itself apart from large industrial chicken producers through premium practices:
-
Chicken is processed in small batches, up to 20,000 pounds at once versus millions for the largest producers.
-
Chicken is air-chilled rather than water-chilled to prevent absorption of excess water.
-
Chicken is deboned 10-12 hours after slaughter to preserve moisture and flavor.
-
Chicken is never frozen, keeping the texture intact.
-
Chickens are raised cage-free on an all-grain diet with no antibiotics or hormones.
Staying True to Founder’s Vision
Today, Mareo Torito still oversees quality control daily at 75 years old. His commitment to quality and people is seen in Red Bird’s 60% employee retention rate over 8+ years.
Torito named his restaurant Kokoro meaning “heart” in Japanese, reflecting his people-centric philosophy. The same spirit continues at Red Bird today through ethical farming practices and charitable partnerships.
Premium Local Chicken, from Farm to Table
Red Bird chicken is raised by family farmers across the country, though the company remains Colorado-based. The premium chicken can be found at Colorado grocery stores like King Soopers and specialty grocers like Tony’s Meats & Market.
For restaurants like ViewHouse, Scratch Kitchen, and My Neighbor Felix in Denver and Boulder, Red Bird is the exclusive chicken they trust for consistent quality and supply.
The Key to Exceptional Flavor and Texture
Chefs and home cooks alike love Red Bird chicken because it is more juicy and has a richer flavor than regular supermarket chicken. The way Red Bird does things keeps the meat’s moisture and flavor, which freezing and quick deboning destroy.
While premium chicken costs more than standard varieties, devotees find the taste and quality worth the small premium. For example, Red Bird chicken at King Soopers is priced above Foster Farms but on par with other premium brands like Smart Chicken.
Supporting an Ethical Local Brand
For consumers focused on ethics and sustainability, Red Bird checks many boxes:
- Cage-free chickens with ample space and ability to exhibit natural behaviors
- Grain-only diet with no animal byproducts or fillers
- No antibiotics or artificial hormones
- Returned to local communities via partnerships and charitable giving
While not certified organic, Red Bird’s practices aim to support the environment through sustainable agriculture with minimal waste.
The Verdict on Red Bird Chicken
In the world of chicken, Red Bird stands out as a premium product differentiated by its strict standards, small-batch processing, and focus on quality. Traceable to family farms practicing ethical, sustainable techniques, Red Bird chicken delivers exceptionally delicious flavor and texture. For those willing to pay a little extra, this premium local brand offers an ethical and tasty choice for everyday meals and special occasions.
No Antibiotics EVER Chicken
RedBird Farms chicken is fed an all vegetarian diet. In addition, the chicken is never given any antibiotics. ever.
RedBird chicken is hand cut. It isnt run down an assembly line of robots, but rather a talented team of cutters.
RedBird Farms chicken is conveniently available at your local grocer. Look for us at King Soopers, Safeway, Albertsons, and other locations across the West: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MO, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY.
RedBird Farms has been providing fresh chicken since the 1940s. As we’ve grown and expanded to more territories, RedBird Farms has maintained a commitment to quality and integrity.
We believe the original way of processing chicken is still the best. We rest our chicken for at least 6-8 hours after harvest, prior to processing. This ensures the most tender and juicy chicken available.
Why Chef’s Prefer RedBird
FAQ
Why is red bird chicken so good?
Our chicken is raised with No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) and fed no animal byproducts, ever. These buzz words are being prominently listed on menus and storefront signage. The fact that we don’t want antibiotics in our food has become so important that news networks, politicians, and schools have all taken notice.
Who owns Red Bird chicken in the USA?
The business was started in 1949, and Mareo Torito bought it in 1990. He is a great example of the American dream. He came to the USA at the age of 18 and worked his way up from being a butcher to starting a restaurant business and ultimately owning RedBird Farms.
Is RedBird chicken pasture raised?
Raising RedBird Farms Chickens RedBird Farms chicken flocks joyously roam spacious barns the size of ½ a football field with an unlimited access to feed and water. They enjoy ventilated housing and soft bedding of wood shavings and rice hulls.
Where does Kroger Heritage Farm chicken come from?
A Reddit thread says that Kroger’s Heritage Farm chicken comes from a number of different places, such as national brands like Tyson and smaller, local farms. In some Kroger divisions, it’s supplied by Tyson, while in others, it might be sourced from other companies to meet supply needs, according to a Reddit thread. A Reddit thread says that Kroger owns the Heritage Farms brand, but not any meat processing plants linked to the brand.