Generational Tensions in the Boar's Head Family Business

Control of Boar's Head transitioned through generations, leading to conflicts as more family members entered the business. Tensions can be traced back to the 1970s, coinciding with the graduation of the founding family’s great-grandchildren and their entry into the company. A significant dispute arose when Eric Bischoff, who had lost his father, found his father's 25% company share allocated to others in the family rather than to him. Eric believed that by working diligently at Boar's Head, he would reclaim his father's stake, reflecting a familial understanding that ownership was contingent upon active participation in the business. This expectation was foundational to his employment and aspirations within the company, as Eric began his career in manufacturing, aligning with the family's tradition of learning various roles before ascending to management.