Face Rock Creamery

What Face Rock Creamery does

Face Rock Creamery, legally FRC, Inc., is a handcrafted artisan cheese producer founded in 2013 by Greg Drobot in Bandon, Oregon. The company makes premium cheddars (aged, extra-aged, smoked, peppercorn, truffle, garlic, and spicy pepper varieties), Monterey Jack, mixed-milk clothbound cheddar, and fresh cheese curds using milk sourced from local farms in the Coquille Valley and Willamette Valley, applying proprietary processes such as Northwest applewood cold smoking, stirred-curd Monterey Jack, and extended clothbound aging. Production is concentrated at the Bandon creamery and headquarters, with cheese made fresh on-site and visible to retail visitors through a viewing window.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model spanning three channels: two owned brick-and-mortar retail/café locations in Bandon and Coos Bay, Oregon; direct-to-consumer e-commerce with nationwide shipping; and wholesale distribution to thousands of stores through major national and regional grocery chains including Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Albertsons, Safeway, and Fred Meyer. Pricing is unit-based, with 6oz cheese blocks priced at $7.00-$9.50 and gift boxes ranging from $31 to $125 for individual, corporate, and curated occasion use. Wholesale terms are offered directly to retailers, restaurants, and small food businesses.

Revenue is generated through retail point-of-sale, e-commerce transactions, wholesale supply contracts, and corporate gifting. The company has raised approximately $3.2 million cumulatively, including a $220,000 angel investment through the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network in 2021 and a nearly $3 million SEC Form D offering in April 2024. Operations are supported by 51-100 employees, with Greg Drobot serving as President and Brad Sinko as Founding Head Cheesemaker. Face Rock has won American Cheese Society first-place awards in multiple categories every year from 2013 through 2024, providing a consistent marketing and quality-validation backbone.

Name

Face Rock Creamery

Legal name

FRC, INC.

Website

https://facerockcreamery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Face Rock Creamery is a handcrafted artisan cheese producer founded in 2013 in Bandon, Oregon, selling award-winning cheddars, curds, and Monterey Jack via two retail cafés, nationwide e-commerce, and wholesale to major grocery chains including Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Cheese

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft) (AFAHABAA), Cheese (Natural & Processed) (CRADACAC)

Keywords

• Artisan cheese production
• Handcrafted cheddar
• Specialty cheese curds
• Cheese gift boxes
• Premium dairy products

Headquarters

HQ city

Bandon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Store Sales: Face Rock Creamery operates two retail/cafe locations where customers purchase cheese, deli items, sandwiches, pizza, mac and cheese, and Umpqua Ice Cream directly at point of sale.
2. E-commerce / Online Store: Direct-to-consumer online sales of individual cheeses, gift boxes, and merchandise with nationwide shipping Monday through Wednesday.
3. Wholesale Distribution: Supplying cheese products to retail stores and restaurants through wholesale accounts, with products found in thousands of stores nationwide including Albertsons, Costco, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Safeway, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and independent grocers.
4. Corporate and Gift Box Sales: Curated gift boxes ranging from $31 to $125, including cheese samplers, charcuterie boards, and corporate gifting programs for B2B customers.
5. Investment / SEC Offering: FRC, INC. (Face Rock Creamery's legal entity) completed a nearly $3 million securities offering exempt under Rule 506(b) of Regulation D, signed by President Gregory Drobot on April 24, 2024.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Face Rock Creamery produces and sells small-batch, handcrafted artisan cheeses (aged cheddars, Monterey Jack, fresh cheese curds) made from locally sourced milk in Bandon, Oregon. The company distributes its cheeses through two owned retail/cafes, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce site shipping nationwide, and a wholesale network supplying thousands of grocery stores. The product line is complemented by curated gift boxes, branded merchandise, and partner gourmet foods, with a corporate gifting program serving B2B customers.

Product overview

Face Rock Creamery is a handcrafted cheese company based in Bandon, Oregon, founded in 2013. The company crafts premium cheeses using milk sourced from local farms in the Coquille Valley and Oregon's Willamette Valley. The core product portfolio centers on award-winning cheddars (including Aged Cheddar, Extra Aged Cheddar, Premium Aged Cheddar, Vampire Slayer Garlic, In Your Face Spicy 3-Pepper, Onion & Chive, Truffle, Peppercorn Harvest, Pepper Alpine, and Smokey varieties), Monterey Jack, and fresh cheese curds. These are complemented by curated gift boxes (Curds Sampler, 2-Cheese Sampler, Founders Trio, Cheddar Overload, Face Rock Favorites, Happy Hour, Premium, Charcuterie Board, and Picnic Pack), branded merchandise (mugs), and gourmet partner foods (chocolate covered items, popcorn, jams). The company operates two retail/cafe locations in Bandon and Coos Bay, Oregon, with nationwide e-commerce shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aged Cheddar 6oz Creamy, medium cheddar with a slight nutty flavor, aged in climate-controlled caves; low in moisture and suited for slicing, grating, and melting. Core SKU for individual consumers and wholesale accounts.
• Extra Aged Cheddar 6oz Sharp, luxurious cheddar aged extra-long with smooth buttery flavor, creamy texture, and signature cheese crystals; 1st Place 2015 ACS Best Aged Cheddar 2yr. Targeted at cheese enthusiasts and premium gifting.
• Premium Aged Cheddar (3-6 years) Extremely limited batch cheddar aged 3-6 years with smooth, creamy texture, signature cheddar flavor, and coveted flavor crystals. Targeted at collectors and premium gift buyers.
• Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar 6oz Garlic-infused aged cheddar with tangy, smooth garlic flavor; one of Face Rock's flagship flavored cheddars. Targeted at individual consumers and the wholesale channel.
• In Your Face Spicy 3-Pepper Cheddar 6oz Award-winning spicy cheddar made with Jalapeño, Habanero, and sweet red peppers; the spiciest cheese in the lineup. Targeted at consumers seeking bold flavors and gift buyers.
• Onion & Chive Cheddar 6oz
• Truffle Cheddar 6oz Cheddar infused with imported Italian black truffles, hand-shaved and aged for an elevated taste and creamy texture; flagship premium variety. Targeted at gourmet consumers and gift buyers.
• Peppercorn Harvest Cheddar 6oz
• Pepper Alpine Cheddar 6oz Aged cheddar infused with freshly ground black pepper, showing striking ribbons of pepper throughout when sliced. Targeted at cheese enthusiasts and cooking applications.
• Smokey Cheddar 6oz Applewood smoked cheddar aged 12 months, cold smoked in small batches with Northwest Applewood smoke for a velvety texture and balanced smokey tang. Targeted at consumers and wholesale.
• Monterey Jack 6oz Semi-firm, sweet, creamy, mild American-style cheese; high in moisture and well suited for melting, cooking, and baking. Targeted at home cooks and foodservice.
• Cheese Curds (Classic, Garlic, Spicy 3-Pepper) Ultra-fresh, squeaky un-aged cheese curds in Classic White Cheddar, Vampire Slayer Garlic, and In Your Face Spicy 3-Pepper varieties. Best served at room temperature or slightly warmed. Targeted at fresh-cheese enthusiasts and gift box assortments.
• Cheese Gift Boxes (Sampler, Founders Trio, Cheddar Overload, Face Rock Favorites, Happy Hour, Premium, Charcuterie Board, Premium Picnic Pack) Assortments of aged cheddars, fresh curds, and partner gourmet items (summer sausage, crackers, mustards, jams, chocolate, etc.) packaged as gifts for personal gifting and corporate gifting customers. Targeted at gift buyers and corporate clients.
• Corporate Gifting Program Curated cheese gift box program for B2B clients purchasing gifts for client appreciation, employee gifting, and business events. Targeted at businesses and organizations.
• Branded Merchandise (Mugs) Face Rock Creamery branded ceramic mugs (Blue 11oz, Red 11oz, Maroon 20oz) sold as ancillary merchandise. Targeted at fans, gift buyers, and retail visitors.
• Gourmet Market Foods (Chocolate Covered Cranberries, Chocolate Covered Salted Almonds, Popcorn, Blackberry Jam) Resale of regionally made gourmet foods including chocolate covered cranberries, chocolate covered salted almonds, caramel/candy corn popcorn, and seedless blackberry jam. Targeted at retail visitors, e-commerce customers, and gift box assortments.
• Online Gift Card Digital gift card for the online Face Rock store, available in denominations of $25, $50, $75, and $100, with no expiration. Physical gift cards also available at the Bandon retail location. Targeted at gift givers.
• Wholesale Distribution Program Direct wholesale supply of cheese to grocery chains, independent grocers, restaurants, and wineries with flexible terms, including accounts with Albertsons, Costco, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Safeway, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and numerous regional and independent retailers. Targeted at grocery and foodservice buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vampire Slayer Curds: 1st Place, 2013 American Cheese Society (ACS), Fresh Unripened Cheese with Flavor Added
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 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

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Natalie's Estate WineryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn February, Face Rock Creamery hosted a cheese pairing event with Natalie's Estate Winery in Newberg, Oregon. Both companies share a philosophy that locally produced small batch goods are the best complement for locally grown wine.
• Effie's Homemade BiscuitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFace Rock Creamery has been using Effie's biscuits since their earliest events to showcase fun ways to enjoy their cheese. They collaborated on pairing content and recipes featuring both Effie's biscuits and Face Rock cheeses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Creamery: Farmer-owned dairy cooperative with broad cheddar and dairy portfolio sold nationally. Comparable as a competing cheddar supplier on the same retail shelves (e.g., Costco, Kroger, Safeway).
• Tillamook County Creamery Association: Oregon-headquartered farmer-owned dairy cooperative producing cheddar and other cheeses under a strong regional brand. Most direct comparable for an Oregon artisan cheese maker with national distribution, though at vastly larger scale and broader product portfolio.
• Sargento Foods: National cheese manufacturer with deep presence in grocery chains and broad flavored-cheddar and snack cheese lines. Comparable as a competing shelf-mate for Face Rock's flavored cheddar and cheddar-curd SKUs.

Direct peers

• Rogue Creamery: Oregon-based artisan cheesemaker specializing in blue and cheddar cheeses with national distribution and ACS award pedigree. Closest peer in geography, scale, craft positioning, and awards profile.
• Beecher's Handmade Cheese: Artisan cheese maker with flagship retail locations, nationwide wholesale, and award-winning cheddars. Comparable through its blend of DTC retail experience, wholesale, and curated gift sets.
• Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company: California-based farmstead cheesemaker producing aged and flavored cheeses with national retail and foodservice distribution. Comparable as a premium-positioned, terroir-driven, award-winning West Coast artisan cheese brand.
• Jasper Hill Farm: Vermont-based artisan cheesemaker famous for clothbound cheddars and cave-aged cheeses. Direct comparable in the aged/clothbound cheddar category where Face Rock also competes for ACS recognition.
• Cypress Grove: California-based artisan cheesemaker with national distribution and a strong flavored cheese portfolio (e.g., Truffle Tremor). Comparable as a competing flavored-cheese brand in natural/specialty grocery.

Emerging players

• Murray's Cheese: Specialty cheese retailer and distributor known for curated assortments and cheese subscription/gift programs. Comparable via the corporate gifting and gift-box DTC channel Face Rock is building.

Others

• Umpqua Ice Cream: Oregon-based ice cream brand whose product Face Rock resells in its Bandon and Coos Bay retail locations. Comparable as an Oregon food brand partner leveraging the same retail and tourist channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/facerockcreamery
• Xx.com/facerockcheese
• Pinterestpinterest.com/pin/create/button

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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 Face Rock Creamery