"Proudly Canadian. Family-Owned Since 1971."
Crafting quality jerky with heart and heritage
"Proudly Canadian. Family-Owned Since 1971."
Crafting quality jerky with heart and heritage
Time Tested Since 1971
At Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc., our heritage is as rich as the flavour of our products. For three generations, our family has perfected the art of crafting tender, irresistible beef snacks. What’s our secret? It’s our unwavering commitment, cherished time-honoured recipes, and the use of 100% Canadian beef that makes all the difference.
Who is the Big Chief?
The legacy of Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc. is rooted in a remarkable family journey that began when the Klein family immigrated to Canada from Germany. From humble beginnings in Toronto to establishing a home in Calgary, the family built a reputation through their delicatessens before venturing into the art of making beef jerky in 1971. The success of their carefully crafted recipes led to a transition in the early 1980s as the focus shifted entirely to their signature beef snacks.
Visitors to the delicatessens affectionately nicknamed Wilhelm Klein “The Big Chief,” a tribute to his leadership and passion that inspired the brand’s name. Even after his passing in 1977, the spirit of innovation and dedication lived on, carried forward by his wife and children and further embraced by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with a commitment to quality that has defined the business for over 50 years.
Today, Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc. continues to deliver BIG TASTE in every bite, honouring time-tested family recipes while fueling BIG ADVENTURES for generations to come.
Our Journey
The Beginnings
The Klein family (our family) made the long journey to Canada from their home in Germany and settled in the city of Calgary, AB.
Openings
Eight years later we took the sausage-making skills honed in our homeland and opened two delicatessens under the name “Tip Top Sausage” at Brentwood Village Mall and Mcleod Mall.
Taking it up a level
Another seven years passed before we changed our name to “Alberta Fancy Sausage”. Purchased a small manufacturing facility located in the South East of Calgary. This is where our beef jerky journey began! We started researching and testing various recipes and cooking methods for beef jerky and through all this came our… Original flavoured jerky!
Growth
After the initial success of our Original Beef Jerky flavour we sold both delicatessens and dove into the jerky business head first! We launched new flavours including Hot Peppered Jerky, Beer Jerky, and Teriyaki Jerky. At the same time experimenting with kippered-style beef which was very popular at the time.
New Recipes
This decade saw the end of the Hot Peppered Jerky and Beer Jerky but a new flavour was born. We took out the pepper but kept the spice and launched our Hot Flavoured Jerky.
Big Chief Meat Snacks
Up until this time we had still operated under the Alberta Fancy Sausage name with our beef jerky products being labeled as “Big Chief Beef Jerky”. The time had come to change our name to what so many people were referring to us by anyways… Big Chief. We changed our name to “Big Chief Meat Snacks” and purchased land in the North East of Calgary and began breaking ground to expand our operations which we would move into the next year, 2005.
3 Generations!
Third generation family members joined the company! With so many Kleins under one roof, you can imagine there were more than a few “family discussions”.
Hot stuff
We launched our popular Jalapeño flavour!
A new era
Complete redesign and overhaul of our logo and packaging. A new era of Big Chief is born!
Bert the Bull Joins the Team
Standing 6’10” Hoofs to Horns Bert the Bull joins the Big Chief Team!
50 Years!
Our biggest milestone yet! This year we celebrate 50 Years in Business!
New Flavours
We added the Variety Box and two new flavours to our line-up! Black Pepper and Sweet & Spicy!
80g Jamaican Style Jerky & Mini Beef Sticks
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
We expanded our building by 7,500 sq ft to accommodate additional smokehouses and packaging machines, a move that proved essential as the fourth generation embarks on the adventure, following the precedent set by the third generation.
INNOVATION
Kicked off the year with the successful launch of our Original Mini Beef Sticks and the bold new Jamaican Style Jerk flavour. Great additions to our 80g family.
TRANSITION
This was the year we officially retired our Hot flavour jerky and Beef Sticks, a bold step forward to refresh our lineup and make room for what’s next.
RECREATION
This year brought the launch of our new 20g Beef Sticks and 80g Mini Beef Sticks. Made with the same high-quality 100% Canadian beef you know and love, these snacks hit shelves in three bold flavours: Jalapeño, Sweet & Spicy, and our all-time favourite, Original.
20g beef sticks and new Canadian-themed look.
WHY BIG CHIEF?
At Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc., over five decades of expertise and a steadfast commitment to quality set us apart. Our meat snacks are meticulously cured to preserve a tender bite and deliver bold flavours that only 100% Canadian beef can provide.
Ideal for every big adventure, whether skiing, biking, hiking, fishing, camping, or just kickin’ back, Big Chief delivers exceptional taste and high-protein satisfaction. When a great-tasting, high-protein snack is needed to curb a ravenous appetite, Big Chief answers the call!
Quality Control
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
At Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc., we are proud to be a federally registered and inspected food manufacturing facility, committed to the highest standards of quality control. We strictly adhere to all CFIA rules and regulations designed to safeguard Canadians from preventable food safety hazards. Our dedication goes beyond mere compliance—we consistently strive to exceed these standards. This commitment is demonstrated by our on-site CFIA inspector, who ensures that all guidelines, including HACCP protocols, are rigorously followed and kept up-to-date.
HACCP – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
Big Chief Meat Snacks Inc. proudly became one of the first meat processing companies in Alberta to earn a HACCP designation. HACCP is a comprehensive management system designed to ensure food safety by analyzing and controlling potential biological, chemical, and physical hazards at every stage—from sourcing raw materials through production, handling, manufacturing, and distribution. By rigorously adhering to these standards, we not only safeguard our products but also maintain exceptional quality and enhance productivity.
SQF Certified
This means our facility meets the highest global standards for food safety and quality, ensuring that every product we produce is safe, consistent, and reliable. SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification is recognized worldwide and demonstrates our commitment to:
✔ Strict Food Safety Standards – Preventing contamination and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
✔ High-Quality Products – Maintaining consistency and excellence in everything we make.
✔ Customer Trust – Giving you confidence that our food is handled with care and meets the highest safety requirements.
Our SQF certification reflects our dedication to delivering safe, high-quality products to our customers every day!