Broaster Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Foodservice equipment manufacturing |
| Founded | 1954 |
| Founder | L. A. M. Phelan |
| Headquarters | Beloit, Wisconsin , United States |
Key people | Jay Cipra (CEO) |
| Products | Pressure fryers, ventless fryers, marinades, seasonings, coatings, frozen food items, cooking oils, sauces, Genuine Broaster Chicken |
| Website | broaster |
Broaster Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer of foodservice equipment, with its main office located in Beloit, Wisconsin. Established in 1954 by business innovator L. A. M. Phelan, the firm specializes in pressure frying technology and manages the branded food initiative known as "Broaster Express". Its range of products encompasses Genuine Broaster Chicken, pressure fryers, ventless fryers, as well as marinades, seasonings, coatings, frozen food items, cooking oils, and sauces.
History
The innovative Broasting method emerged in 1954 when founder L.A.M. Phelan merged deep frying with pressure cooking techniques to accelerate chicken preparation. He secured trademarks for "broaster" and "broasted food" while producing the initial Broaster Pressure Fryers through Flavor Fast Foods, Inc. By 1956, Phelan launched Broaster Company, broadening its scope to include food ingredients and related accessories.
In 1970, Broaster Company was acquired by Alco Standard Corporation based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Later, in 1991, ownership transferred to private investors. Jay Cipra assumed the role of CEO in 2009 after previously serving as president of Broaster’s parent organization. The company celebrated six decades of operation in 2014.
Broaster’s strategy centers on integrating exclusive equipment with licensing Genuine Broaster Chicken recipes to sustain a competitive edge and grow its international market presence.
Operations
Broaster Company utilizes a proprietary method to produce "Genuine Broaster Chicken," which involves marinating and coating the chicken before cooking it in a Broaster Pressure Fryer operated by trained personnel. The company licenses this process to more than 5,000 establishments—including restaurants, bars, and takeout outlets—across the United States and in 54 countries worldwide, supporting extensive global activities. A notable example is High Life Lounge in Des Moines, which demonstrated this cooking style on Season 3 of Man v. Food (2010).
Broasting
Broasting refers to a pressure frying process that combines elements of pressure cooking and deep frying. Invented by L. A. M. Phelan and exclusively promoted by Broaster Company, it entails marinating and breading chicken prior to pressure frying to produce a unique culinary product.
Internationally, broasted chicken has established a significant market presence, especially within Middle Eastern and South Asian regions such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, as well as Latin American nations including Colombia and Peru. Many dining establishments and fast-food franchises in these areas incorporate "broast" into their branding strategies, underscoring the method’s competitive strength and widespread popularity.