Stella & Chewy's

What Stella & Chewy's does

Stella & Chewy's is a privately held U.S. pet food manufacturer founded in 1997 by Marie Moody, headquartered and manufacturing in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The company specializes in freeze-dried raw pet food and treats for dogs and cats, employing 251-500 people across its operations. Its core technology is a proprietary freeze-drying (lyophilization) process that preserves nutritional value, eliminates pathogens, and produces a pantry-stable product that requires no refrigeration, differentiating it from competitors selling frozen raw diets. The portfolio spans freeze-dried raw dinner patties, meal mixers and toppers, raw-coated and raw-blend dry kibble (Wild Red and SuperBlends lines), wet food (Stella's Shredrs), functional toppers (Stella's Solutions), bone broth, and specialty treats (Wild Weenies, Dental Delights, Organ Treats). Products are formulated with veterinary nutritionists to meet or exceed AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, and the company operates a Certificate of Analysis (COA) system that allows lot-level pathogen-testing transparency.

The business model combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce with a subscription program offering a 5% recurring discount, supported by aggressive omnichannel retail distribution. Products are sold at the company's own storefront, on Amazon and Chewy, and across national and regional chains including Petco, PetSmart, Target, Publix (1,400+ stores), Sprouts Farmers Market (464 stores), Meijer, H-E-B, and Tractor Supply. International distribution is handled by authorized distributors in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the UAE. The company claims to be the #1 freeze-dried raw pet food brand in the U.S. with approximately 3% global share of the raw pet food market and over 2.4 million pets fed. Customer acquisition is driven by content marketing (a 145+ article blog and "School of Raw" platform), earned media in Forbes, NY Post, NY Magazine, and People, a refer-a-friend program, and a loyalty rewards program integrated with subscription billing.

Name

Stella & Chewy's

Legal name

Stella & Chewy's, LLC

Website

https://stellaandchewys.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Stella & Chewy's is a Wisconsin-based, privately held pet food manufacturer producing freeze-dried raw diets, meal toppers, kibble, and treats for dogs and cats, sold direct-to-consumer, through major U.S. retail chains, and via international distributors in Asia and the Middle East.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Pet Food

NAICS

Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing (311111), Animal Food Manufacturing (31111)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Frozen & Raw Pet Food (incl. freeze-dried) (CRADAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Freeze-Dried & Dehydrated Pet Food (AFADAFAD), Dry Pet Food (Kibble) (AFADAFAA), Pet Treats & Chews (AFADAFAF), Functional & Veterinary Diet Pet Food (CRADAFAF), Natural/Organic & Limited-Ingredient Diets (CRADAFAH)

Keywords

• Freeze-dried raw pet food
• Raw pet nutrition
• Pet food manufacturing
• Dog and cat food
• Natural pet treats

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Pet Food Sales: E-commerce sales through stellaandchewys.com including one-time purchases and subscription orders. Subscription program offers 5% recurring discount with flexible delivery scheduling (4, 6, or 8 week intervals) and ability to skip, change, or cancel anytime.
2. Wholesale/Retail Distribution: Products sold through major retail partners including Petco, PetSmart, Target, Publix (1,400+ stores), Sprouts Farmers Market (464 stores), Meijer, H-E-B, Tractor Supply, and online marketplaces (Amazon, Chewy). Wholesale revenue from retail partnerships represents significant distribution channel.
3. Subscription Program Revenue: Auto-renewal subscription program with initial promotional discounts (20-25% off first box + free treats) transitioning to ongoing 5% subscription discount. Recurring revenue model with customer retention through convenience and flexibility.
4. Referral Program: Refer-a-friend program where existing customers earn $15 coupon for each qualified referral (referred customer completes $75+ purchase). Promotional mechanism driving customer acquisition at reduced CAC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stella & Chewy's manufactures and sells premium freeze-dried raw pet food, including dinner patties, meal mixers, raw-coated and raw-blend kibble, wet food (Shredrs), bone broth, and treats for dogs and cats. Products are formulated with veterinary nutritionists to meet AAFCO standards using responsibly sourced proteins and contain no artificial preservatives, fillers, or common allergens. The company sells direct-to-consumer through its website with a subscription program and through major national and regional retail chains.

Product overview

Stella & Chewy's is a premium freeze-dried raw pet food manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of products across multiple categories. The core offerings center on freeze-dried raw dinner patties and meal mixers for both dogs and cats, with functional variants (Stella's Solutions) addressing specific health needs. The product line spans freeze-dried raw full meals, toppers, and treats; dry kibble products including Wild Red (raw coated and raw blend) and SuperBlends lines; wet food (Stella's Shredrs); and specialty items like bone broth and dental treats. The company positions itself as the #1 freeze-dried raw brand in the U.S., with products available for subscription delivery through its direct-to-consumer platform and at major retail partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Full-meal freeze-dried raw dinner patties made with responsibly sourced animal proteins (chicken, beef, lamb, duck, turkey, rabbit, pork, venison, salmon). Available in 5.5 oz, 14 oz, and 25 oz sizes, with each patty containing 95% meat, organs, and bone for complete and balanced nutrition for dogs.
• Meal Mixers Freeze-dried raw meal mixers designed to be sprinkled onto kibble or wet food as a topper. Contains 90-95% raw animal protein, organ meat, and bone enhanced with organic fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and antioxidants for incremental raw nutrition without full meal replacement.
• Stella's Solutions Functional freeze-dried raw meal toppers addressing specific health needs: Digestive Support, Hip & Joint Support, Immune Support, Skin & Coat Support, and Healthy Heart Support. Contains targeted ingredients such as coconut flour, pumpkin, pineapple stems, chicken cartilage, green mussel, and turmeric.
• Marie's Magical Dinner Dust Freeze-dried raw meal topper in powdered form for picky eaters. Available in grass-fed beef, cage-free chicken, duck, and bacon varieties, containing 95% meat, organs, and bone with an easy pour spout.
• Marie's Magical Breakfast Sprinkles Freeze-dried raw breakfast topper featuring freeze-dried proteins such as bacon, egg, and cheese to add flavor to morning meals, designed for picky eaters.
• Wild Red Raw Blend Kibble Grain-inclusive and grain-free dry kibble blends with freeze-dried raw coating and mixed freeze-dried raw chunks. Prairie Recipe features six poultry proteins; Red Meat Recipe features six poultry-free proteins, with 80-93% protein from animal sources.
• Wild Red Raw Coated Kibble Dry kibble rolled in freeze-dried raw coating. Available in Prairie (poultry), Red Meat (poultry-free), and Ocean (fish) recipes, containing 86-92% protein from animal sources.
• SuperBlends Raw Blend Kibble Superfood-powered dry kibble blended with freeze-dried raw and bone broth. Coated and blended with beef, beef liver, lamb, chicken, duck, whitefish, and salmon, made with wholesome grains.
• SuperBlends Raw Coated Kibble Raw-coated superfood-powered kibble made with bone broth and freeze-dried raw coating, featuring unique protein blends to support muscle health.
• Stella's Shredrs Wet dog food in tear-open pouches featuring shredded muscle meat in slowly simmered broth. Available in 8 grain-free recipes including chicken, duck, turkey, salmon, and beef varieties, containing 4-6 simple wholesome ingredients.
• Bone Broth Bone broth for dogs used to rehydrate freeze-dried raw food or as a meal topper.
• Wild Weenies Freeze-dried raw dog treats made with 95-97% meat and organs. Available in beef, chicken, lamb, duck, red meat, and bacon varieties with unique shape and texture.
• Organ Treats 100% single-ingredient freeze-dried raw organ treats including beef heart, beef liver, lamb liver, lamb heart, chicken breast, and chicken heart. Designed for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities.
• Dental Delights Freeze-dried dental treats clinically shown to control plaque and tartar while supporting healthy gums, taking advantage of the freeze-dried texture in unique shapes.
• Perfectly Puppy Freeze-dried raw meal mixers formulated for puppies, featuring beef and salmon with DHA for brain development plus probiotics for digestive and immune health.
• Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels (Cats) Freeze-dried raw dinner morsels for cats, available in multiple protein options, formulated with taurine to meet AAFCO complete and balanced profiles for cats of all life stages.
• Freeze-Dried Raw Mixers & Toppers (Cats) Freeze-dried raw mixers and toppers formulated for cats, used as toppers on existing diets to add raw nutrition without full meal replacement.
• Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats Freeze-dried raw treats designed for cats, including single-ingredient organ treats and multi-ingredient treat varieties.
• Raw Coated and Raw Blend Kibble (Cats) Dry cat kibble options including raw-coated and raw-blend formulations that combine kibble with freeze-dried raw coating for cats.
• Shredrs Pouches (Cats) Wet cat food pouches in shredded muscle meat with simmered broth, designed for cats.
• Meowfulls (Cat Treats) Cat treats in the freeze-dried raw cat food line, positioned as Meowfulls.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,400,677+ pets thriving on real, raw nutrition (company claim)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, operational, core and regional.

• Sprouts Farmers MarketmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 December 2025Nationwide launch across 464 Sprouts Farmers Market stores beginning December 8, 2025. Company placed 19 items including 10 freeze-dried raw dog products (Meal Mixers, Raw-Coated Kibble, Dinner Dust, Breakfast Sprinkles, Bone Broths). Strategic fit with Sprouts' ingredient-focused shopper base.
• PublixmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 December 2025Stella & Chewy's announced distribution partnership with Publix supermarkets, launching freeze-dried raw pet food products across 1,400+ Publix stores in 8 southeastern states (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia) starting December 2025. Deal represents significant retail footprint expansion.
• WeavixoperationalTechnology or Integration · 18 March 2025Stella & Chewy's deployed Weavix's Walt Smart Radios across all manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin. The smart radios feature real-time AI translation capabilities and transmitted 6 million messages in 2024, improving communication, safety, and employee satisfaction in a multilingual workforce.
• PetcocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEarlier nationwide rollout with Petco established foundational retail presence. Petco represents a core channel partner in pet specialty retail.
• PetSmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPetSmart partnership announced as nationwide availability in all 50 states plus online at PetSmart.com. Major pet specialty retail chain with extensive store footprint.
• TargetmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTarget partnership represents mass retail channel expansion, providing access to mainstream consumers beyond traditional pet specialty retailers.
• MeijerregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMeijer partnership expands distribution in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin - Midwest regional presence.
• H-E-BregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorH-E-B partnership expands Texas market presence, serving Southwest regional consumers through this major grocery chain.
• Shanghai LETA TECHNOLOGY (乐它科技)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Mainland China. Contact: [email protected]. Represents Chinese market distribution partnership.
• K.P.N. Trading LimitedregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Hong Kong, China. Contact: [email protected]. Located in Tsuen Wan industrial area.
• Stella KorearegionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Republic of Korea. Contact: [email protected]. Located in Gyeonggi-do.
• Stellar Pets Pte LtdregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Singapore. Contact: [email protected]. Active on Instagram and Facebook.
• Standard Pet Corp.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Taiwan, China. Contact: [email protected]. Located in Zhongshan District, Taipei City.
• Velocity International Trading L.L.C.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for United Arab Emirates. Contact: [email protected]. Located in Jebal Ali Industrial Area, Dubai.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves2 records

Emerging players

• JustFoodForDogs: JustFoodForDogs is a fresh, gently cooked human-grade pet food brand sold DTC and through veterinary channels; it targets a similar health-conscious owner with veterinary-formulated fresh nutrition as a differentiated alternative to freeze-dried raw.
• K9 Natural: K9 Natural is a New Zealand-origin raw/freeze-dried pet food brand explicitly identified alongside Stella & Chewy's as a key market player in FACT.MR's air-dried venison dog food research, sharing positioning in premium novel-protein pet nutrition.

Broad incumbents

• Champion Petfoods (Orijen / Acana): Champion Petfoods manufactures Orijen and Acana premium pet foods and is referenced alongside Stella & Chewy's in industry air-dried/venison market research; their regionally produced, protein-dense formulations compete for premium-conscious pet parents.
• Freshpet: Freshpet is a publicly-traded fresh/refrigerated pet food company with broad mass-market retail presence; while not freeze-dried, it competes for the same 'real food' premium pet parent at the refrigerated/frozen aisle and represents the broader fresh-raw adjacency.
• Nature's Variety (Instinct): Instinct (owned by Agrifirm/Mid America Pet Food) is a leading raw-inclusion pet food brand with significant retail distribution and a broader portfolio spanning freeze-dried, raw-coated kibble, and frozen raw—making it a scaled incumbent adjacent to Stella & Chewy's premium raw positioning.

Direct peers

• Open Farm: Open Farm is a premium pet food brand emphasizing responsibly sourced, limited-ingredient nutrition sold through Petco/PetSmart and DTC—an aspirational positioning competitor targeting the same health-conscious pet parent segment as Stella & Chewy's.
• Vital Essentials: Vital Essentials competes head-to-head with Stella & Chewy's in freeze-dried raw patties, toppers, and treats for dogs and cats, distributed through specialty pet retail, farm/feed stores, and DTC e-commerce channels.
• Ziwi (Ziwi Pets): Ziwi is a New Zealand-based air-dried pet food brand explicitly cited in industry research alongside Stella & Chewy's; both compete in the premium, high-protein, novel-protein niches with comparable DTC-plus-specialty retail strategies.
• Primal Pet Foods: Primal Pet Foods is the closest direct competitor to Stella & Chewy's in the U.S. freeze-dried raw pet food category, with a similarly broad portfolio of raw frozen, freeze-dried, and raw meal toppers for dogs and cats sold through DTC and specialty retail.
• Northwest Naturals: Northwest Naturals is a U.S. raw and freeze-dried pet food manufacturer offering comparable raw dinner patties, nuggets, and treats for dogs and cats, primarily through independent pet retail and DTC—an established direct competitor in the same niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stellachewys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1097546

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stella & Chewy's