**The Rolls-Royce of Turkeys Makes its Grand Debut in America**
As Thanksgiving approaches, the stage is set for turkeys to take center plate in homes across the nation. But this year, there’s an exciting twist for turkey lovers—introducing the “Rolls-Royce of turkeys,” brought to you by the innovative Paul Kelly and his family-owned Kelly Bronze brand. After two decades of perfecting their unique turkey, Kelly has decided it’s time to strut onto American soil. The sights may be lovely this season, but this turkey might just steal the show!
In 2003, Paul Kelly crossed the Atlantic and found himself astounded by the state of American turkey farms. With a heart full of questions and a mind ready to learn, he traveled through Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, discovering that many American turkey farmers had strayed from some traditional practices, like dry plucking and aging their birds. Under these circumstances, Kelly felt a mixture of determination and humor, thinking it might be audacious for an Englishman to introduce his superior turkeys to America—but seeing an opportunity for quality, he dove right in.
With the taste of success on the horizon, Kelly purchased 130 acres adorned by the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains in Crosse, Virginia. Here, he was able to establish the only USDA-approved turkey facility in the country that employs traditional methods. His dedication to quality resulted in customers paying up to $15 per pound for his renowned turkeys, while those cheaper frozen Butterballs roam the grocery freezers at around $1 per pound. It’s a tough crowd when the average turkey dinner price hikes, but for the best of the best, some folks are ready to invest in a premium experience.
Kelly Bronze has made quite the impression, already racking up a revenue of $28 million in 2024, with ambitions to ramp up that to a staggering $80 million by 2028. Currently, about 4% of their revenue stems from U.S. sales, but Kelly is optimistic that will surge to 25% within the next few years, thanks to significantly increasing production. Despite the hefty price tag, Kelly’s birds are not just any poultry—they are raised with utmost care, often three times older than the average frozen turkey, thereby promising rich flavor and that sought-after crispy skin.
While not everyone may be able to afford a Kelly Bronze turkey, it’s worth noting that they enjoy a reputation as the Rolls-Royce of holiday feasts. With partnerships with high-end retailers and butchers, they offer a range of culinary delights that would please even the palates of royalty, including the British royal family and celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver. The company has thrived as a family-owned business since its founding in 1971, having never taken any private investments—an impressive feat in today’s world of big bucks and bold risks.
In this grand tradition of American feasting, one can see that the Kelly Bronze turkey isn’t just about putting food on the table; it represents a journey, blending British heritage with American appetite. Paul Kelly’s aim isn’t to be the next Butterball; rather, he seeks to carve out his niche by producing the best turkey possible. With every pluck and every hang, it seems that these turkeys are destined to take their rightful place as the new heart of Thanksgiving. As families gather around their tables this season, it might just be a Kelly Bronze turkey that earns the ultimate applause!
