to a new plant. Omaha Steaks opened its first retail store in Omaha in 1976. Before then, buying a product from the company was limited to eating at certain restaurants that offered their products or ordering meats from its mail-order catalog. In 1984 half of the company's sales came through such catalogs along with other direct mail campaigns, and the other half came through sales to restaurants, hotels, and institutions. In 1985 the company expanded its retail operations beyond Nebraska, opening a store in Houston, and as of 2021 it operated 48 total retail stores in 20 states. Omaha Steaks was an early adopter of digital marketing. The company placed its first online ad on CompuServ in 1991, and by 1995 it had a robust presence on America Online and a fully functional website. Through these platforms, the company was receiving around 20,000 responses a month. Omaha Steaks became part of the Microsoft Network in 1998 and launched a Japanese website in 1999. That same year the company opened new corporate and marketing offices next to its expanded telemarketing facility. Operations Omaha Steaks manufactures, markets, and distributes a variety of steaks and other meats, including seafood, chicken, and pork, along with appetizers, sides, and desserts. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and as of 2020 was the city's 24th largest employer. Omaha Steaks employs 1,500 workers. During the holidays the company hires more than 3,000 temporary workers to meet increased consumer demand. In addition to its corporate and marketing office, its facilities include three manufacturing plants, two distribution centers, and a freezer warehouse. National and international markets for the company's products include food service, mail order, incentive, telesales, retail stores, licensed-restaurants, sales to specialty and food stores, and interactive sales. Omahasteaks.com was founded as a separate company to provide more comprehensive service for online customers. Omaha Steaks products are shipped in coolers with dry ice. During peak season, the company can ship as many as 100,000 packages a day. Retail stores carry the same products offered through mail order. Todd Simon serves as chairman and chief executive officer of Omaha Steaks, and Nate Rempe serves as the company's president and chief operating officer. Branding and marketing Omaha Steaks uses the tagline "America's Original Butcher" and brands itself as offering premium steaks and other meat products, personalized service, and innovative packaging and delivery. The company was an early pioneer in