The Wasatch Meats
History
1940
The Great Depression had just ended. Benn & Louis Gill Broadbent were in their early 30's with two young kids, and Ben had just resigned from Wirthlin Market.
1940
Benn's brother, JR, was home for the holidays, and they made a plan to start a business. Jay would provide the funding, & Benn would run & manage the operation.
Jan. 2, 1941
Benn's brother J.R. invested $2000. The name "Wasatch" was chosen.
Jan. 20, 1941
Opening of Wasatch Meat at 43 and 45 Richards Street in downtown Salt Lake City.
1946
From 1946 through 1947, Broadbent Brothers briefly opens to help expand the grocery side of the business.
Sep. 29, 1950
Wasatch Meats' second location in Sugar House opens. With this second location, the company's name changed from Wasatch Meat to Wasatch Meats.
Feb. 28, 1956
A tragic accident at the Sugar House caused the death of Benn's brother, Tom. Because of the loss and Tom's key role as plant manager, Benn closed the location.
Apr. 13, 1956
To accommodate the growth from the Sugar House and Richards locations, 47 Richards Street was purchased for $20,000 and construction was underway immediately.
Aug. 27, 1956
The original Wasatch Meats was expanded at 43, 45 and 47 Richards Street.
Dec. 20, 1971
Wasatch Meats Incorporates with Benn E. Broadbent, Richard Broadbent, and Paul H. Rich at the helm of the new corporation.
1977
Wasatch holds its ground during negotiations with Crossroads mall developers. An agreement is reached to build a new state of the art meat plant.
Nov. 12, 1978
New location opened at 926 South Jefferson Street.
Jan. 2, 1980
Founder Benn E. Broadbent retires from the management and ownership of Wasatch.
Jan. 1991
Wasatch turns 50!
Mar. 1996
Wasatch completes a significant addition to accommodate continued growth. Wasatch turns 55.
Feb. 2005
Paul H. Rich retires as Vice President. His dedicated service began on February 7, 1966.
Jan. 20, 2021
Wasatch turns 80!
Jan. 20, 2026
Wasatch turns 85!
We want to
Thank you!
The part of this story that simply cannot be put into words is our gratitude for the many loyal customers and dedicated employees who have made this possible. Without you, there would be no history and there would be no future.
Thank you!