Butterball, LLC, is the largest U.S. turkey producer, with annual sales exceeding $1.4 billion. Smithfield Foods owns 49 percent of the company, a joint venture with Maxwell Farms, Inc., of Goldsboro, North Carolina. Formerly Carolina Turkeys, the company adopted the Butterball name in acquiring the brand in October 2006. The celebrated Butterball name is the most widely recognized brand in the turkey industry and carries more than a half century of brand equity. Primary lines of business include whole turkeys and parts, cooked turkey breasts, turkey sausages, ground turkey, lunchmeat, and fresh tray pack, bone-in and boneless turkey. Available through retail, deli, and foodservice channels, Butterball products are sold in approximately 20 countries.