Standard Meat Co-Presidents Named Entrepreneurs of Excellence in Fort Worth
December 16, 2025 | 3 min to read
Standard Meat Company (SMC) co-presidents (and siblings) Ben Rosenthal and Ashli Rosenthal Blumenfeld — fourth generation leaders of the 90-year-old, Fort Worth–based company — have been named 2025 Entrepreneurs of Excellence by Fort Worth Inc. magazine.
They were among just 14 winners chosen from 42 finalists representing 33 companies at the ninth annual Entrepreneur of Excellence gala on November 13. Independent judges evaluated finalists on growth, ethical standards, perseverance and community impact, all areas where Ben and Ashli — described in the awards presentation package as “family business leaders who reimagined legacy models” — reshaped their longstanding family business for our new era.
Under Ben and Ashli’s leadership, Standard Meat has built on its history as a multi-generational supplier to national restaurant and retail chains, evolving from its roots as a beef processor into a more diversified, innovation-focused protein partner with a broader product mix, client base, and technical capabilities. Today, the company operates five plants across North Texas, including a just-opened, next-generation facility in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards — a literal return of meat manufacturing to Cowtown’s original industrial neighborhood.
Guided by the values passed down from their great-grandfather, grandfather, and father, Ben and Ashli have elevated those family principles into a clear statement of purpose that now anchors the company: “to inspire the connections and breakthroughs that ultimately feed our life.” That purpose informs how Standard Meat invests, innovates and shows up for its team, customers and community.
“This is a true honor for us,” Ashli told the audience at the gala. “We are the fourth generation to run our family’s business, so we’re not your traditional entrepreneurs. But we have had an amazing opportunity to be entrepreneurial within this incredible platform.”
The Entrepreneurs of Excellence recognition stands as another entry in the duo’s list of recent business and industry awards, including being named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2024 Southwest Award winners and National Award winners in the Family Business category.
ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEUR OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM
Founded in 2017, Fort Worth Inc.’s Entrepreneur of Excellence program has celebrated the region’s most visionary business leaders for nine years. The program honors innovators whose ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit have reshaped industries, built community and strengthened Fort Worth’s economic future. The presenting sponsor for this year’s awards is Whitley Penn. Texas Capital serves as the Platinum Sponsor; Phelps is the Gold Sponsor; and Fort Worth icon Justin Boot Co. returns as Boot Sponsor. For more information on the awards, please visit Fort Worth Inc.
ABOUT STANDARD MEAT
Standard Meat Company is a multi-generational protein packaging and portioning company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded in 1935, the innovative business serves a variety of foodservice needs from five north Texas plants. Pioneers in steak cutting, Standard Meat Company is a recognized expert in meat science, food safety and quality assurance, culinary trends, purchasing, and packaging. For more information, visit standardmeat.com.