Meat & Greet: Patriots Launching Line Of Branded Foods

The Patriots this season will market nine “Gridiron Grillers” meats — four lines of bratwurst, three of sausage and two of hot dogs — “complete with the Patriots’ logo on the package,” according to Sasha Talcott of the BOSTON GLOBE. The Patriots claim to be the first NFL team to sell its own meats. Packaging for products like “Patriots First Down Beef Frank” and “Patriots Sack Attack Mild Italian Sausage” will bear the phrase, “As served at Gillette Stadium.” Plans for Patriots hamburgers, chicken wings, barbecue sauce, ketchup and mustard are “in the exploratory stages.” In the future, the team aims to “negotiate with restaurants to feature the products on their menus.” Wisconsin-based Klement Sausage Co. will supply the meats and “pay the Patriots royalties once a minimum of hot dogs are sold.” For home games at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots are “introducing bratwurst this year, and expect that to boost meat sales by at least” 15,000-20,000 pounds. The Patriots meat will replace current products sold at the stadium. An ad campaign is planned for September that includes ticket contests and players in TV ads (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/8). Klement has marketing deals with the Brewers, Bucks and Twins (THE DAILY).