At a grand awards banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats on Tuesday evening at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney, Merrick County’s own Preferred Popcorn, based in Chapman, was celebrated with the prestigious "Business of the Year" title.

The recognition is a testament to the company’s significant achievements and expansive growth in the past years. In 2018, the company, recognizing the need for advanced facilities, undertook a massive expansion of their Chapman facility. The $6.5 million initiative transformed the site into a cutting-edge popcorn processing plant. A critical contribution to this growth phase came from a CDBG ED grant which provided essential working capital. Additionally, the NDOT’s Economic Opportunity Program Grant proved invaluable, helping pave the road leading to their Chapman plant. Had this intervention not taken place, the floods of 2019 might have spelled disaster for the company.

2018’s expansion was just the beginning. 2022 saw the emergence of Preferred Snacks in Waco. The company, having invested $2 million in the venture, transformed the old Earth Stove building into a hub for producing delectable, ready-to-eat flavored popcorn and snacks. A modest start with seven employees ballooned to 17 by mid-2023, and projections are promising, with a workforce of 25 anticipated by year-end.

A significant move for the company came in December 2022. To cement their future and foster continued growth, Preferred Popcorn and Snacks was absorbed by Performance Food Group, a prominent Fortune 500 enterprise. This merger's success is underpinned by the shared cultural values of both entities, promising stability for employees and continued excellence for consumers.

The company's historical roots run deep, tracing back to the 1930s when Floyd Tyler set up a popcorn venture in rural Merrick County. Subsequent decades saw the company change hands and undergo rebranding. It was in 1998, under the leadership of Norm Krug and a consortium of farmers, that the company was christened Preferred Popcorn LLC. Today, under the continued stewardship of Norm and his son Sam Krug, the company stands tall, with an impressive 99% of their product finding markets outside of Nebraska. Their mission is simple yet profound: "To honor God by providing high-quality products and serving their customers with integrity."

Beyond business, the Krugs are renowned for their philanthropic endeavors. From supporting educational institutions like the Nebraska Christian School and Central City High School to contributing to the new hospital and museum in Central City, their generosity knows no bounds. This commitment to community welfare extends to global causes, with countless organizations benefitting from their assistance.

In addition to their business acumen and philanthropic efforts, both Norm and Sam Krug are recognized figures in local, state, and federal domains, dedicatedly promoting Nebraska's interests wherever they venture.

As the curtains fell on the awards night, Merrick County had much to celebrate, with Preferred Popcorn's accolade serving as a reminder of the resilient spirit of Nebraska's businesses.