Mike's Hot Honey
Mike's Hot Honey is a Brooklyn-based food and beverage company founded in 2010 that produces chili-infused honey across retail, foodservice, and licensing channels. Its products reach 30,000+ U.S. stores and major QSR chains, with expansion into beverages and international markets underway.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Mike's Hot Honey does
Mike's Hot Honey is a Brooklyn-headquartered food and beverage company founded in 2010 by Mike Kurtz after he discovered chili-infused honey at a Brazilian pizzeria. The company's core product is 100% pure honey infused with chili peppers and vinegar, offered in Original and Extra Hot variants across a tiered pack architecture ranging from 0.5oz single-serve squeeze packets and 1.55oz mini jars for consumers, to 12oz and 24oz bottles for retail and home use, up to 192oz gallon jugs for back-of-house foodservice. The product line expanded in 2025-2026 with a 750ml Hot Honey Syrup designed for beverages (coffee, tea, cocktails), establishing a new category beyond condiments.
The business operates a multi-channel distribution model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via mikeshothoney.com; broad retail distribution across more than 30,000 U.S. stores including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, and Amazon; a foodservice distributor network spanning Sysco, US Foods, DOT Foods, Performance Food Group, McLane, and 40+ additional operators; and an extensive co-branded CPG licensing and collaboration program covering Smithfield (bacon), Pillsbury/General Mills (biscuits), Tillamook (jerky), Garrett Popcorn, Bush's Beans, Blue Diamond Almonds, Boulder Canyon chips, and AriZona beverages. The company also generates brand-extension revenue through limited-edition apparel collaborations with Umbro, Starter, and Ewing Athletics, plus an affiliate-driven Drizzler community program.
Revenue is approximately $40M (2024 disclosed) with a $60M projection for 2025; the brand is credited as the originator of the hot honey category in the U.S. and is available in thousands of restaurants and major QSR chains including KFC, Dunkin', Marco's Pizza, Jersey Mike's, and Cinemark theaters. The company has international distribution in Canada, the UK, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and the MENA region. Mike's Hot Honey is privately held, received a Series A from Fifth Down Capital in 2017 (with subsequent rounds including a 2020 Piper Sandler-led $4.855M round), and appointed former WNBA star Candace Parker to its Board of Directors in August 2024.
Mike's Hot Honey firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mike's Hot Honey
- Legal name
- Mike's Hot Honey
- Website
- https://mikeshothoney.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mike's Hot Honey is a Brooklyn-based food and beverage company founded in 2010 that produces chili-infused honey across retail, foodservice, and licensing channels. Its products reach 30,000+ U.S. stores and major QSR chains, with expansion into beverages and international markets underway.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mike's Hot Honey industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hot honey condiment
- NAICS
- Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hot Sauce & Chili Sauce Manufacturing (AFAKADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Honey & Apiculture Sweeteners (Honey, Honey Powders) (AFAJAAAL), Fermented & Specialty Condiments Manufacturing (Kimchi Base, Gochujang, Miso-Based Sauces) (AFAKADAO), Condiments, Sauces & Dressings (CRADAAAB), Specialty Condiments, Sauces & Pickles Wholesale (AFAIAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Mike's Hot Honey is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Mike's Hot Honey business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through mikeshothoney.com including products, apparel, gift sets, and limited-edition collaborations. Revenue reported at approximately $40 million annually in 2024, with projections of $60 million for 2025.
- Retail Distribution: Sales through major retail chains including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Amazon, and thousands of other stores across 30,000+ retail locations nationwide.
- Foodservice/Bulk Ingredients: Sales to restaurants, pizzerias, and foodservice operators through distributors including Sysco, US Foods, DOT Foods, and others. Products sold in various pack sizes for back-of-house use.
- Brand Licensing and Co-branded Products: Licensing the Mike's Hot Honey brand to CPG partners for co-branded products including Smithfield bacon, Garrett Popcorn, Pillsbury biscuits, Snak Club snacks, Tillamook beef jerky, and others.
- Brand Partnerships and Collaborations: Collaborative product launches with restaurant chains (KFC, Dunkin, Marco's Pizza, etc.) and non-food brands (Burt's Bees lip balm, Umbro apparel, Starter jackets) generating revenue through various partnership structures.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer E-commerce Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition and Apparel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Foodservice Pack Sizes |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Shipping |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Mike's Hot Honey product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mike's Hot Honey manufactures and sells chili-infused honey products under its own brand across consumer and foodservice channels. The core offering is a sweet-heat condiment made from 100% pure honey infused with real chili peppers and vinegar, sold in Original and Extra Hot variants and packaged in formats ranging from single-serve 0.5oz packets and 1oz dip cups to 12oz retail squeeze bottles, 24oz chef's bottles, and 192oz foodservice gallon jugs, plus a 750ml Hot Honey Syrup for beverages.
Product overview
Mike's Hot Honey is America's leading hot honey brand, offering a core portfolio of chili-infused honey products available in multiple formats for retail and foodservice. The product line spans from single-serving 0.5oz packets and mini jars (1.55oz) for consumer use, to medium 12oz squeeze bottles and larger 24oz Chef's Bottles for foodservice operators, up to industrial 192oz gallon jugs for high-volume commercial applications. The company offers two flavor variants: Original (sweet-heat balance) and Extra Hot (increased chili content with upfront heat). In 2026, the brand expanded into the beverage category with a 750ml Hot Honey Syrup designed for coffee, tea, and cocktails. Beyond core food products, Mike's Hot Honey has developed an extensive licensing and collaboration program including apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts, varsity jackets), footwear (Ewing Athletics sneaker collaboration), and the Umbro World Cup Capsule Collection. The company also operates the Drizzler community program, a fan-rewards initiative offering commission on sales and exclusive access to product launches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mike's Hot Honey Original 12oz Squeeze Bottle Flagship product - 100% pure honey infused with chili peppers and vinegar with the original sweet-heat balance; sold in a 12oz PET squeeze bottle with flip-top cap for retail consumers and home use.
- Mike's Hot Honey Extra Hot 12oz Squeeze Bottle Heat-seeker variant of the flagship product with a hotter chili pepper variety providing upfront heat followed by sweetness; sold in 12oz PET squeeze bottles for retail consumers.
- Mike's Hot Honey 0.5oz Squeeze Packet Single-serving convenience packet for on-the-go meals, travel, picnics, delivery, takeout, and meal kits; available in Original and Extra Hot variants and case-packed for foodservice.
- Mike's Hot Honey 1.55oz Mini Jar Mini glass jar format for weddings, gift baskets, party favors, and travel; available in Original and Extra Hot variants, sold as case of 12 jars.
- Mike's Hot Honey 24oz Chef's Bottle Larger squeeze bottle designed for foodservice and busy commercial kitchens, featuring an easy-drizzle cap for high-volume drizzling back-of-house.
- Mike's Hot Honey 192oz Gallon Jug Bulk gallon jug (192oz / 12 lb) format for high-volume commercial kitchen use, designed for back-of-house and industrial foodservice applications.
- Mike's Hot Honey Syrup (750ml) Pourable chili-infused honey syrup designed for beverages including coffee, tea, and cocktails, in a 750ml bottle for retail and foodservice drink programs.
- Mike's Hot Honey 1oz Dip Cup Portion-control dip cup for foodservice, delivery, and takeout operations; sold as a case of 80 cups for back-of-house use.
- Umbro x Mike's Hot Honey World Cup Capsule Collection Limited-edition co-branded apparel capsule collection with Umbro including jerseys, shorts, scarf, and soccer ball; sold exclusively through mikeshothoney.com.
- Starter x Mike's Hot Honey Varsity Jacket Limited-edition co-branded varsity jacket collaboration with Starter; premium satin build with sportswear styling and signature Mike's Hot Honey detailing.
- Ewing Athletics Hot Honey Sport Lite Sneaker Limited-edition co-branded sneaker collaboration with Ewing Athletics, with premium design, bold colors, signature Mike's Hot Honey details, and bundled jar of hot honey.
- Mike's Hot Honey Apparel Collection Brand merchandise line including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, accessories, and gift sets featuring the Mike's Hot Honey Heritage Logo and other branded graphics.
Quantifiable outcome
- 406% growth as fastest-growing pizza topping in 2025 according to Datassential
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Mike's Hot Honey
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Mike's Hot Honey technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Mike's Hot Honey partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Two One Five EntertainmentcoreFilm production collaboration for 'The Drizzler' short film featuring Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter, celebrating Brooklyn origins and the ritual of drizzling hot honey. Co-founded by Trotter and Questlove.
- Another ThingminorCreative agency for the 'The Drizzler' film campaign launch across connected TV, online video, and social media platforms.
- UmbrocoreLimited-edition capsule collection blending 1990s international soccer kit aesthetics with Mike's Hot Honey's burgundy-and-gold visual identity. Includes jerseys, shorts, scarf, and soccer ball priced $39.99-$109.99.
- PillsburycoreLaunch of Mike's Hot Honey Biscuits representing first collaboration between the two brands.
- Pillsbury (General Mills)coreFirst collaboration between the brands for Grands! Poppin' Flavor Mike's Hot Honey Biscuits, combining sweet-and-spicy flavor with Pillsbury's ready-to-bake biscuits.
- Snak Club (Century Snacks)coreExpansion of partnership beyond candy into salty snack category with Toffee Peanuts and Snack Mix, building on success of earlier Bombs and Gummy Bears collaboration.
- Garrett Popcorn ShopscoreCo-branded sweet-heat ready-to-eat popcorn combining Garrett's caramelized kettle crunch with Mike's Hot Honey chili seasoning. Distributed at Jewel-Osco, Albertsons, World Market, Roundy's, and Mariano's.
- Penn Station East Coast SubscoreLimited-time Hot Honey Chicken & Crispy Onion sub featuring grilled chicken, provolone, crispy onions, and Mike's Hot Honey at 320+ locations nationwide.
- Chicago Fire FCminorPartnership to spice up matchdays and activations.
- Rōti Modern MediterraneanminorHot Honey Harissa limited-time menu featuring Mike's Hot Honey, marking the chain's first-ever sandwich offering across multiple formats.
- Freddy's Frozen Custard & SteakburgerscoreHot Honey Chicken Sandwich, Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, Cheese Curds with Hot Honey Cup, and Molten Chocolate Cake Shake LTO nationwide March-May 2026.
- Ziggi's CoffeecoreNational coffee menu collaboration featuring Hot Honey Syrup, marking Mike's Hot Honey's first major move into beverages.
- SmithfieldcoreMike's Hot Honey Bacon combining smoky bacon with chili-infused honey, rolling out nationwide as part of Smithfield's We Speak Pork campaign.
- The Peach Cobbler FactoryminorLimited-time product offering adding Mike's Hot Honey as flavor enhancement across several dessert items.
- AriZonaminorLimited-edition spicy flavored drinks including Green Tea, Mucho Mango, and Watermelon featuring chili-infused honey.
- Burt's BeesminorLimited-edition lip balm featuring Mike's Hot Honey flavor, available exclusively online.
- StartercoreVarsity jacket collaboration blending iconic sportswear with sweet heat, featuring premium satin and holiday colors.
- PopUp BagelsminorLimited-time summer menu featuring specialty cream cheese spreads with spicy and sweet flavors across 13 Northeast locations for one week.
- Tillamook Country SmokercoreSweet-heat beef sticks and jerky made with Mike's Hot Honey, expanding partnership from initial beef sticks into jerky. Distributed through Amazon, Tillamook's website, and select 7-Eleven locations.
- Marco's PizzacoreHot Honey Magnifico Pizza made permanent menu item nationwide and hot honey added as permanent pizza topping option, following successful 2023 launch.
- HelloFreshminorLimited-edition S'mores on Fire Bundle for summer 2025 campfire cravings.
- Panda ExpressminorNew Chili Crisp Chicken featuring Mike's Hot Honey in select markets.
- Juice It Up!minorHot honey topping across menu for limited time, making it the largest chain to collaborate with the brand at that time.
- Morey'sminorWild Salmon with Mike's Hot Honey featuring pre-marinated wild salmon fillets paired with packets of Mike's Hot Honey, available at retailers nationwide.
- Jersey Mike'scoreNew Mike's Hot Honey Chicken Cheese Steak on menu.
- Red RobincoreLimited-time menu collaboration featuring Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza, Hot Honey Wings, new beverages, and Caesar salads.
- Boulder CanyonminorLimited-edition kettle-style chips collaboration debuting in April 2025 at Natural Products Expo West.
- KFC CanadacoreCollaboration introducing spicy and sweet chicken options including sandwich and tenders across Canada, capitalizing on swicy flavor trend.
- Blue Diamond AlmondscoreHot honey almond flavor collaboration available through Amazon and select Walmart locations.
- KFCcoreNationwide collaboration featuring hot honey chicken products, part of KFC's product innovation strategy.
- MOD PizzaminorMike's Favorite Pizza created by founder Mike Kurtz for Love Every Bite campaign supporting One Warm Coat nonprofit.
- Skyline ChiliminorLimited-time menu items featuring Mike's Hot Honey.
- Bush's BeanscoreBush's Grillin' Beans Hot Honey, combining Bush's baked beans with Mike's Hot Honey for tailgate season, available nationwide mid-August 2024.
- Moe's Southwest Grill, Roy Rogers, CinemarkcoreRestaurant chain collaborations and movie theater concession partnerships.
- Candace ParkercoreFormer WNBA star appointed to Board of Directors, bringing leadership, sports, and philanthropic experience.
- CinemarkcoreHot honey-infused concessions at Cinemark theaters across the U.S., including limited-time menu items, drinks, and delivery options.
- Ewing AthleticscoreHot Honey Sport Lite sneaker partnership, blending iconic sportswear with sweet heat.
- MailleminorFirst co-branded retail product: Maille Hot Honey Dijon mustard made with Mike's Hot Honey.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Mike's Hot Honey competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Truff: Truff is a premium, viral condiment brand known for truffle-infused hot sauce and other luxury pantry products. It is the closest analog to Mike's Hot Honey in terms of building a culture-first, premium-priced CPG brand with strong social media virality, foodservice penetration, and licensing/collaboration extensions.
- Fly By Jing: Fly By Jing is a premium Chinese condiment brand (chili crisp) that has scaled from DTC into major retail and foodservice on the strength of a single product hero, brand collaborations, and cultural cachet. It mirrors Mike's Hot Honey's playbook of one product, many applications, and a cult-like consumer base.
- Momofuku Goods: Momofuku's retail CPG line (chili crunch, noodles, etc.) was built on a chef/founder narrative and expanded into broad retail, foodservice co-brands, and licensing. Comparable to Mike's Hot Honey in leveraging a founder-anchored brand into multiple SKUs and channel partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Frank's RedHot: Frank's RedHot is a leading cayenne hot sauce brand owned by McCormick, ubiquitous in foodservice (especially wings) and retail. Comparable as a mainstream chili condiment with deep restaurant-industry penetration that Mike's Hot Honey is now approaching through chain collaborations.
- Tabasco: Tabasco (McIlhenny Company) is the iconic American hot sauce brand with global distribution in foodservice and retail. It serves as a long-tenured broad incumbent in chili-based condiments and a benchmark for the foodservice penetration Mike's Hot Honey is pursuing at scale.
- Huy Fong Foods (Sriracha): Huy Fong Foods is the producer of the iconic Sriracha sauce, a broad incumbent chili condiment with massive retail and foodservice presence. Comparable as a reference point for what category-defining chili-condiment scale looks like, including supply chain and capacity considerations.
- Cholula Hot Sauce: Cholula is a major incumbent Mexican hot sauce brand distributed nationally and used as a foodservice staple, owned by McCormick. It is comparable as a category-adjacent chili condiment at scale, providing a reference point for the ceiling and competitive dynamics of building a chili-condiment national brand.
Emerging players
- Nature Nate's Honey: Nature Nate's is a leading US raw honey brand in retail and foodservice, comparable as a honey-anchored consumer brand that has built national distribution. It represents the honey base of Mike's Hot Honey at scale and is a potential co-manufacturer, co-brander, or competitor in honey-aisle shelf space.
- Yellowbird Foods: Yellowbird is a premium condiments brand offering hot sauces, condiments, and dressings, with broad retail and foodservice distribution. Comparable to Mike's Hot Honey as a smaller, premium-positioned CPG condiments brand pursuing foodservice chain partnerships and licensing-style collaborations.
- Bee Wilder: Bee Wilder is an emerging hot honey and honey-based sauce brand positioned in the same sweet-heat category as Mike's Hot Honey. It is a direct emerging competitor in hot honey, useful as a smaller-scale analog for competitive pressure at the specialty/premium tier.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mike's Hot Honey social profiles
Digital presenceMike's Hot Honey compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Mike's Hot Honey financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mike's Hot Honey leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Mike's Hot Honey funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mike's Hot Honey M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mike's Hot Honey
What does Mike's Hot Honey do?
Mike's Hot Honey manufactures and sells chili-infused honey products under its own brand across consumer and foodservice channels. The core offering is a sweet-heat condiment made from 100% pure honey infused with real chili peppers and vinegar, sold in Original and Extra Hot variants and packaged in formats ranging from single-serve 0.5oz packets and 1oz dip cups to 12oz retail squeeze bottles, 24oz chef's bottles, and 192oz foodservice gallon jugs, plus a 750ml Hot Honey Syrup for beverages.
Is Mike's Hot Honey a public or private company?
Mike's Hot Honey is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Mike's Hot Honey founded?
Mike's Hot Honey was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Mike's Hot Honey based?
Mike's Hot Honey is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mike's Hot Honey make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution, foodservice/Bulk Ingredients, brand Licensing and Co-branded Products and brand Partnerships and Collaborations.
Who are Mike's Hot Honey's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Truff, Fly By Jing and Momofuku Goods. Broad incumbents are Frank's RedHot, Tabasco, Huy Fong Foods (Sriracha) and Cholula Hot Sauce. Emerging players are Nature Nate's Honey, Yellowbird Foods and Bee Wilder.
Does Mike's Hot Honey have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mike's Hot Honey.
What industry is Mike's Hot Honey in?
Mike's Hot Honey's product category is Hot honey condiment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKADAE, Hot Sauce & Chili Sauce Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAJAAAL, Honey & Apiculture Sweeteners (Honey, Honey Powders). Its NAICS code is 311941 and its SIC code is 2090.