Meat processors AdvancePierre Foods, Cincinnati, and Johnsonville Sausage, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., said they formed a strategic alliance that gives AdvancePierre exclusive foodservice distribution rights for Johnsonville Sausage products.

"This partnership is bringing together two businesses that share a passion for producing delicious, high-quality food products," said Bill Toler, CEO of AdvancePierre Foods. "As our company continues to grow, we look forward to enhancing our product portfolio and bringing our customers the best-tasting, most satisfying products on the market."

Toler said AdvancePierre Foods will make the brand available to more foodservice customers, including restaurants, colleges and stadiums nationwide. Officials said the program will take effect during the second quarter of this year.

"For more than 65 years, Johnsonville has been known for producing only the highest-quality, most flavorful sausage," said Johnsonville President Bill Morgan. "We look forward to our continued growth and presence on the menus of restaurants and other venues, sharing the legendary flavor of Johnsonville Sausage with even more consumers, through this new strategic partnership with AdvancePierre Foods."