Frank Perdue

File:Perdue.jpg

Frank Perdue

Name	Frank Perdue
Birth name
Birth date	(1920-05-09)May 9, 1920
Birth place	Salisbury, Maryland, USA
Death date	March 31, 2005(2005-03-31) (aged 84)
Death place	Salisbury, Maryland, USA
Alma mater
Occupation	Businessman
Years active
Organization
Known for	Founder of Perdue Farms
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Frank Perdue (May 9, 1920 – March 31, 2005) was an American businessman and the president and CEO of Perdue Farms, a major poultry company in the United States. He was known for his innovative marketing strategies and his role in transforming Perdue Farms into a leading brand in the poultry industry.

Early Life and Education

Frank Perdue was born in Salisbury, Maryland, to Arthur Perdue and Pearl Perdue. His father, Arthur, founded Perdue Farms in 1920 as a small egg business. Frank attended Salisbury University and later transferred to University of Maryland, College Park, where he studied business administration.

Career

Frank Perdue joined the family business in 1939. Under his leadership, Perdue Farms expanded from a regional egg producer to a national poultry company. Frank was instrumental in the company's shift from egg production to broiler chickens, which became the primary focus of the business.

Marketing Innovations

Frank Perdue was a pioneer in the use of television advertising to promote poultry products. In the 1970s, he became the face of Perdue Farms, appearing in a series of commercials with the slogan, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken." His personal involvement in advertising was unusual for the time and helped to humanize the brand.

Quality Control

Perdue was committed to quality control and innovation in poultry production. He implemented rigorous standards for raising and processing chickens, which helped to establish Perdue Farms as a trusted name in the industry. The company was one of the first to brand its chickens, emphasizing quality and consistency.

Legacy

Frank Perdue's leadership transformed Perdue Farms into one of the largest poultry companies in the United States. At the time of his death, the company had annual sales of over $2.8 billion. His approach to marketing and quality control set new standards in the industry and influenced how poultry products were marketed and perceived by consumers.

Personal Life

Frank Perdue was married to Mitzi Perdue, and they had four children. He was known for his philanthropy and support of various educational and community initiatives in Maryland.

Death

Frank Perdue passed away on March 31, 2005, in Salisbury, Maryland, at the age of 84. His contributions to the poultry industry and his innovative marketing strategies left a lasting impact on the business world.

Also see

• Perdue Farms
• Poultry industry in the United States
• Marketing strategies in the food industry
• History of advertising