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Bil-Jac Foods, Inc.
Manufacturing
Medina, Ohio 2,333 followers
Slow-Cooked Protein That Dogs Perform On
About us
Founded in 1947 by WWII veterans Bill and Jack Kelly, Bil-Jac is an American dog food brand built on a simple belief: how food is made determines how dogs perform. Produced in our own U.S. facilities in Ohio and Maryland, Bil-Jac uses a proprietary slow-cooked process designed to protect nutrients and natural flavor, unlike the high-temperature extrusion used in most dry dog food. In 1951, Bil-Jac received the first U.S. patent ever granted for dog food, establishing an early foundation of innovation that continues to shape the brand today. For nearly 80 years, retailers, distributors, and dog professionals have trusted Bil-Jac for performance-driven nutrition made with fresh chicken and carefully controlled small-batch production. We partner with specialty retailers, distributors, and working-dog organizations across the United States to deliver nutrition that supports healthier, stronger dogs.
- Website
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http://www.bil-jac.com
External link for Bil-Jac Foods, Inc.
- Industry
- Manufacturing
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Medina, Ohio
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 1947
- Specialties
- Dry & Wet Dog Food, Frozen Dog Food, Soft Dog Treats, and Frozen Dog Treats
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
3337 Medina Road
Medina, Ohio 44256, US
Employees at Bil-Jac Foods, Inc.
Updates
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Most brands talk about innovation. Very few deliver. In 1951, Bil-Jac didn’t just follow the industry… it rewrote it, earning the first U.S. patent for dog food. At a time when others were producing grain-based biscuits, this was a completely different approach: real meat, real nutrition, built around how dogs actually eat. That mindset still holds true today: – Slow-cooked, not over-processed – Nutrition protected, not stripped away – Taste cooked in, not sprayed on Innovation for us is about empty bowls, not empty promises.
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Before Bil-Jac became a trusted name in dog nutrition, it began with a simple mission during World War II. Founder Bill Kelly observed that military working dogs were undernourished and volunteered to do something about it. He started feeding them a high-protein, fresh meat-based diet. The results were dramatic. After the war, Bill and brother Jack developed a new kind of dog food: slow-cooked, fresh chicken - not the kibble that dominates the industry even to this day. Discover the history behind Bil-Jac and how the company continues to shape dog nutrition today. This story traces the brand’s origins, the early innovation that led to a patented dog food formula, and the dogmatism that still defines Bil-Jac today.
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Not all dog food is made the same. Most dry dog food is produced through high-heat extrusion, often reaching 280–400°F. At those temperatures, heat-sensitive nutrients can degrade, protein structures can change, and manufacturers often rely on sprayed fats or flavor coatings to bring palatability back. Bil-Jac takes a different approach. • Slow-cooked in small batches • Gentle temperatures around 160–165°F • No sprayed-on coatings Why does that matter? Processing methods influence digestibility, palatability, and ultimately repeat purchase behavior. In other words, how dog food is made can matter just as much as what goes into it. Great nutrition can’t be rushed. #PetIndustry #DogNutrition #PetFoodInnovation #BilJac #RetailInsights
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Not every hero wears a uniform. Military working dogs have played a critical role alongside U.S. service members for decades. From detecting explosives to protecting troops, their contribution has saved countless lives. Bil-Jac’s story traces back to WWII, when Bill Kelly worked with undernourished military dogs and witnessed how better nutrition dramatically improved their health and performance. That experience shaped the philosophy that would later become Bil-Jac. On K9 Veterans Day, we recognize the thousands of dogs who have served our country and the handlers who rely on them every day. Their service deserves to be remembered. #K9VeteransDay #MilitaryWorkingDogs #PetIndustry #BilJac #DogsWhoServe
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Control matters in pet nutrition. Bil-Jac operates two dedicated production facilities in the United States, giving the team full operational oversight from ingredient sourcing to final batch consistency. That level of control helps ensure: • Reliable supply • Consistent product quality • Faster response for retail partners When you make the food yourself, you control every step. Cooked, not kibble. #PetIndustry #DogNutrition #MadeInUSA #RetailPartners #BilJac
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Some ideas age. The good ones don’t. In 1947, Bil-Jac started with a different approach to dog nutrition: start with real ingredients and cook them with care. Nearly eight decades later, that philosophy still guides everything we do, from fresh chicken to our slow-cooked process designed to help protect nutrients and natural flavor. Because great dog food should be cooked, not kibble. If you’re attending Global Pet Expo, come see the difference. 📍 Booth #2427 📅 March 25–27 #GlobalPetExpo #PetIndustry #PetFood #DogNutrition
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We’re excited to welcome Logan Merrill to Bil-Jac Foods, Inc. as our new Sales Analytics & Business Intelligence Specialist! Logan brings 10+ years of experience, turning complex retail, sales, and supply chain data into clear, actionable insights that drive real growth. He loves digging into the “why” behind the numbers and building dashboards that don’t just look good — they help teams make smarter, faster decisions. Throughout his career, Logan has partnered closely with sales, finance, and operations teams to uncover opportunities, improve profitability, and strengthen performance across channels. His mix of analytical horsepower and collaborative spirit makes him a great fit for our team. We’re thrilled to have his energy and curiosity on board as we continue to grow. Welcome to the Bil-Jac family, Logan! 🐾
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Big news at Bil-Jac Foods! 🎉 We’re excited to welcome Julie Gasper as our new Associate Director, Business Development. Julie brings nearly 15 years of experience across the pet industry, with leadership roles spanning portfolio strategy, product innovation, and commercial growth. With experience at companies like Cargill, Three Dog Bakery, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Julie combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution—and a true passion for pet health. We’re thrilled to have her on the Bil-Jac team and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make! 🐾🚀 #WelcomeToTheTeam #TeamBilJac #NewHire #PetIndustry #CPG #Leadership
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Built on loyalty since 1947. Two World War II veterans turned their mission to feed military dogs into a lifelong promise, real food, slow-cooked in small batches for dogs who give us everything.This Veterans Day, we honor where it all began.#BilJac #VeteransDay #Since1947 #MadeInUSA #SlowCooked #RealChicken #DogFoodWithIntegrity