In April 1949, Bill Simmons and Frank Pluss partnered to establish Pluss Poultry in Decatur, Arkansas.

In a post-World War II landscape, Simmons and Pluss united with a shared commitment to excellence and integrity; the official beginning of Pluss Poultry. The company had a humble beginning, opening a chicken processing facility in a renovated motel. The partnership navigated challenges through a dedication to honesty and by prioritizing decisions focused around better operations versus only profitability.

It wasn’t long before the chicken farmers who partnered with Pluss were reporting substantial, on-time, payments from this new business. The economic impact was soon felt, and a new standard for doing things the right way, for the right reasons, became the guiding principle for the company. In 1955, Simmons bought out Pluss and became the sole owner of Pluss Poultry’s Arkansas operation which marked the beginning of the eventual transition to the Simmons Foods name we know today.

Their partnership laid the groundwork for a culture built on a strong work ethic, integrity, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Today, we continue to draw inspiration from Simmons and Pluss. Their story stands tall, reminding us that success, when anchored in integrity, can stand the test of time.