Del Real Foods
Del Real Foods is a private, Mira Loma, California-based manufacturer of authentic ready-to-heat Hispanic prepared foods — including proteins, tamales, pupusas, salsas, and meal kits — distributed through major U.S. retail chains to Hispanic families and mainstream grocery shoppers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersMira Loma, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Del Real Foods does
Del Real Foods is a privately held, California-based prepared Hispanic foods manufacturer that produces ready-to-heat proteins (carnitas, barbacoa, shredded chicken, birria, chile verde, al pastor), traditional tamales, pupusas, fire-roasted salsas, sides (Mexican rice, refried beans), meal kits (birria and al pastor taco kits), and snack-format quesadilla bites. The company's core production technology centers on traditional slow-cooked preparation methods using family recipes originating with founder Jesus Cardenas in 1957, with all products formulated without preservatives and many carrying gluten-free designations. Protein SKUs are built on quality inputs including 100% chicken breast and USDA Choice beef. The business sells exclusively through U.S. retail grocery channels, with established distribution across Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's Club, Kroger, and Albertsons, plus direct-to-consumer e-commerce via a Shopify storefront. The company operates from a Mira Loma, California headquarters and a secondary operations site in Oklahoma City, with 51-100 employees. Del Real Foods has historically been backed by Palladium Equity Partners (invested 2016, with exit planned as of November 2024), and the company serves both Hispanic families seeking authentic flavors and mainstream grocery shoppers seeking convenient meal solutions. Marketing combines connected TV, social media, YouTube advertising, mobile retail sampling tours, coupon promotions, and contest-based engagement, anchored by a 2025 'Abuela Intelligence' integrated brand campaign.
Del Real Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Del Real Foods
- Legal name
- Del Real, LLC
- Website
- https://delrealfoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Del Real Foods is a private, Mira Loma, California-based manufacturer of authentic ready-to-heat Hispanic prepared foods — including proteins, tamales, pupusas, salsas, and meal kits — distributed through major U.S. retail chains to Hispanic families and mainstream grocery shoppers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Del Real Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hispanic Prepared Foods
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311), Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing (3118)
- SIC
- Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ethnic & international prepared meals manufacturing (AFAKAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Frozen Ethnic & International Meals (CRADADAE), Dips, Salsas, Relishes & Chutneys Manufacturing (AFAKADAM)
Keywords
Where Del Real Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mira Loma
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Del Real Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- CPG Food Product Sales: Del Real Foods generates revenue through the sale of prepared Hispanic food products including tamales, carnitas, pupusas, salsas, and sides through retail grocery distribution channels.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Del Real Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Del Real Foods manufactures and sells authentic Hispanic prepared foods under its own brand, including slow-cooked ready-to-heat proteins (carnitas, barbacoa, shredded chicken, chile verde, chicken birria), traditional tamales, pupusas, fire-roasted salsas, sides, quesadilla bites and birria/al pastor taco kits. Products are produced using heritage recipes from the Cardenas family and packaged primarily for the refrigerated and shelf-stable aisles of mass-market U.S. grocery retailers.
Product overview
Del Real Foods is a food products company specializing in authentic Hispanic prepared foods. The product portfolio centers on a platform of ready-to-heat proteins and traditional items including carnitas, barbacoa, shredded chicken, birria, and various meat preparations, complemented by tamales (pork, chicken, beef, and cheese varieties), pupusas, fire-roasted salsas, and sides like Mexican rice and refried beans. The company also offers meal kits such as birria and al pastor taco kits, plus quesadilla bites. All products emphasize authentic recipes, real ingredients, slow-cooked traditional cooking methods, no preservatives, and gluten-free options. Products are available at major retailers including Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Carnitas Slow-cooked traditional pork carnitas sold refrigerated for at-home reheating, targeted at Hispanic and mainstream family shoppers seeking authentic Mexican flavor.
- Barbacoa Slow-cooked seasoned beef barbacoa, packaged refrigerated, intended for use in tacos, burritos and family meals.
- Shredded Chicken Pre-cooked shredded chicken, ready to heat, for use in tacos, enchiladas, burritos and other Mexican dishes.
- Pulled Chicken Pulled chicken in traditional seasoning, refrigerated and ready to heat, for tacos, salads and family meals.
- Chicken Fajitas Pre-cooked chicken fajita strips with seasoning, ready to heat, for at-home fajita preparation.
- Chile Verde Pork slow-cooked in traditional green tomatillo salsa, refrigerated and ready to heat.
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Shredded chicken seasoned with cilantro and lime, refrigerated and ready to heat.
- Chicken Birria and Cheese Tamales Traditional tamales filled with chicken birria and cheese, ready to heat, packaged refrigerated.
- Beef in Red Sauce Tamales
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.9 out of 5 stars average customer rating on Carnitas product (73 reviews)
Companies that use Del Real Foods
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Del Real Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Del Real Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Del Real Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Goya Foods: The largest Hispanic-owned food company in the US, with a broad portfolio of beans, rice, seasonings, canned goods, and prepared proteins distributed nationally through mainstream and Hispanic retailers. Directly competes with Del Real across multiple Hispanic CPG categories including beans, rice, and prepared meats.
- Herdez Group (MegaMex Foods): Mexican food manufacturer and owner of MegaMex Foods (Herdez, Del Fuerte, Chi-Chi's brands), producing salsas, tortillas, peppers, and prepared Mexican meals for the US market. Competes directly with Del Real in salsas, tamales, and prepared Hispanic meal categories.
- Cacique: Hispanic dairy and prepared meats manufacturer producing cheeses, crema, chorizo, and other Mexican-style products for US Hispanic and mainstream channels. Comparable to Del Real as a heritage Hispanic brand with national distribution in major US retailers.
- Juanita's Foods: Hispanic food manufacturer specializing in tortillas, chips, tamales, menudo, and prepared Mexican foods, distributed nationally in US retail. Directly comparable to Del Real in core categories including tamales and Mexican prepared proteins.
- Reser's Fine Foods: Manufacturer of prepared salads, Hispanic/Hispanic-style meals, and refrigerated side dishes for retail and foodservice across the US. Competes in refrigerated prepared foods including Hispanic-style entrées similar to Del Real's portfolio.
- Mission Foods: Largest US tortilla and corn-based product manufacturer (owned by Gruma), offering tortillas, chips, and prepared Mexican foods. Comparable to Del Real in Hispanic staples with national retail distribution; overlaps in masa-based products like tamales.
Broad incumbents
- Hormel Foods (Chi-Chi's, Herdez): Diversified protein and packaged foods company with Hispanic offerings through the Chi-Chi's brand and MegaMex joint venture. Overlaps with Del Real in prepared Hispanic proteins and shelf-stable Mexican meals within a much broader portfolio.
- Old El Paso (General Mills): Mass-market Mexican meal kits, shells, sauces, and seasonings brand owned by General Mills. Competes with Del Real's meal kits (birria/al pastor taco kits) and salsas, but is a mass-market mainstream brand rather than a heritage Hispanic specialist.
- Tyson Foods (Hillshire/Prepared Foods): Largest US protein processor with significant prepared and branded foods operations. Competes with Del Real in ready-to-heat proteins and refrigerated Hispanic-style meats as part of a much broader portfolio spanning beef, chicken, and prepared foods.
Emerging players
- La Tortilla Factory: Hispanic-focused tortilla and wrap manufacturer with national retail presence, emphasizing clean-label, non-GMO, and gluten-free offerings. Smaller and more niche than Del Real but comparable as a heritage-flavored Hispanic brand in the natural/grocery channel.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Del Real Foods social profiles
Digital presenceDel Real Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Del Real Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Del Real Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Del Real Foods 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 Del Real Foods
What does Del Real Foods do?
Del Real Foods manufactures and sells authentic Hispanic prepared foods under its own brand, including slow-cooked ready-to-heat proteins (carnitas, barbacoa, shredded chicken, chile verde, chicken birria), traditional tamales, pupusas, fire-roasted salsas, sides, quesadilla bites and birria/al pastor taco kits. Products are produced using heritage recipes from the Cardenas family and packaged primarily for the refrigerated and shelf-stable aisles of mass-market U.S. grocery retailers.
Is Del Real Foods a public or private company?
Del Real Foods is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Del Real Foods founded?
Del Real Foods was founded in 1957. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Del Real Foods based?
Del Real Foods is headquartered in Mira Loma, United States, in the North America region.
How does Del Real Foods make money?
One revenue line is on record: CPG Food Product Sales.
Who are Del Real Foods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Goya Foods, Herdez Group (MegaMex Foods), Cacique, Juanita's Foods, Reser's Fine Foods and Mission Foods. Broad incumbents are Hormel Foods (Chi-Chi's, Herdez), Old El Paso (General Mills) and Tyson Foods (Hillshire/Prepared Foods). La Tortilla Factory is listed as an emerging player.
Does Del Real Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Del Real Foods.
What industry is Del Real Foods in?
Del Real Foods's product category is Hispanic Prepared Foods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAHAG, Ethnic & international prepared meals manufacturing, with a secondary code of CRADADAE, Frozen Ethnic & International Meals. Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2030.