Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is a 138-year-old, family-controlled global sauce and condiment manufacturer producing 300+ Asian SKUs (soy, oyster, chili, hoisin) across 100+ countries, serving home cooks, chefs, and foodservice operators through retail, e-commerce, and a dedicated foodservice division.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1888
- HeadquartersCity Of Industry, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lee Kum Kee does
Lee Kum Kee is a 138-year-old, family-controlled sauce and condiment manufacturer founded in 1888 and headquartered in Hong Kong SAR, operating in more than 100 countries through its US subsidiary Lee Kum Kee (U.S.A.) Inc. (California). The company produces over 300 SKUs across soy sauces, oyster sauces (including the Panda Brand sub-brand), chili oils, chili sauces, hoisin, XO sauces, bouillons, soup bases, vinegars, ready sauces, and ready-to-eat products such as abalone. Its core technology is traditional natural fermentation of premium Non-GMO soybeans and wheat flour for soy sauces, with broader manufacturing capabilities across condiment categories; products carry Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan certifications as relevant. Strategic capacity expansion includes a $22 million initial soy sauce facility in Coweta County, Georgia and a planned $288 million smart factory in LaGrange, Georgia expected to create 267 jobs.
The company operates a dual-channel business model. Consumer packaged goods revenue flows through mass-market retailers (Walmart), specialty Asian grocers (H-Mart, 99 Ranch, Sky Foods), and e-commerce channels including its own website, Amazon, Weee!, and Instacart. A parallel Foodservice/Professional division targets chefs and restaurants, evidenced by a dedicated foodservices.lkk.com site, chef ambassador programs (Food Network's Jet Tila), and fine dining partnerships such as the Yingtao restaurant collaboration in Manhattan. GTM is multi-modal: direct-to-consumer plus event-driven experiential marketing, anchored by cultural campaigns like #FlavorsofAAPI and content marketing around recipes and Chinese culinary traditions. Pricing is set at the retailer/channel level rather than published directly by the company, and Lee Kum Kee does not publicly disclose revenue or financials as a privately held family enterprise with a documented '1,000-year vision.'
Lee Kum Kee firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lee Kum Kee
- Legal name
- Lee Kum Kee (U.S.A.) Inc.
- Website
- https://usa.lkk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1888
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Lee Kum Kee is a 138-year-old, family-controlled global sauce and condiment manufacturer producing 300+ Asian SKUs (soy, oyster, chili, hoisin) across 100+ countries, serving home cooks, chefs, and foodservice operators through retail, e-commerce, and a dedicated foodservice division.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lee Kum Kee industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Asian Sauces and Condiments
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311), Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941), Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114), Other Food Manufacturing (3119)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Soy Sauce, Tamari & Asian Condiments Manufacturing (AFAKADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fermented & Specialty Condiments Manufacturing (Kimchi Base, Gochujang, Miso-Based Sauces) (AFAKADAO), Hot Sauce & Chili Sauce Manufacturing (AFAKADAE), BBQ Sauce & Marinades Manufacturing (AFAKADAH), Prepared soups, stews & chili manufacturing (AFAKAHAJ), Ethnic & international prepared meals manufacturing (AFAKAHAG)
Keywords
Where Lee Kum Kee is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- City Of Industry
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Lee Kum Kee business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - Retail Sales: Lee Kum Kee generates revenue through the sale of its packaged sauces, condiments, and cooking ingredients to retail consumers via grocery stores, supermarkets, specialty Asian food retailers, and e-commerce platforms. The company sells over 300 product SKUs across multiple sauce and condiment categories.
- Foodservice / Professional Channel: Lee Kum Kee serves the professional culinary market through its Food Professional division, providing chefs and restaurants with commercial-scale sauce and condiment products. The company demonstrates this channel through its dedicated website section and fine dining partnerships such as the Yingtao collaboration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Consumer retail products are priced by individual retailers (Amazon, Walmart, H-Mart, 99 Ranch, Weee!). |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lee Kum Kee product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lee Kum Kee manufactures and distributes over 300 authentic Asian sauces and condiments, including soy sauces, oyster sauces, chili oils, chili sauces, hoisin sauce, marinades, bouillons, soup bases, vinegars, XO sauces, and ready-to-eat products. The company serves home cooks, professional chefs, and industrial food manufacturers through distinct Homecook, Food Professional, and Industrial channels across 100+ countries.
Product overview
Lee Kum Kee is a 138-year-old global sauce and condiment company founded in 1888, offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 300 authentic Asian sauces and condiments. The product line includes core sauce categories such as Soy Sauces (Premium, Premium Dark, Seasoning, Less Sodium, Mushroom-Flavored), Oyster Sauces (Premium, Panda Brand, Gluten-Free), Chili Products (Chiu Chow Chili Crisp Oil, Chili Bean Sauce, Chili Garlic Sauce, Sriracha variants), and Hoisin Sauce. The portfolio also extends to Ready Sauces for convenient meal preparation, Soup Bases (including Sichuan Hot & Spicy and Miso), Bouillons, Vinegars, Spices, and Ready-to-Eat products including Abalone in Premium Oyster Sauce. Premium products like XO Sauce, Pure Sesame Oil, and specialty items such as Char Siu Sauce and Chu Hou Paste round out the offering for both home cooks and food service professionals across more than 100 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Panda Brand: Panda Brand oyster sauce and related products
- Chiu Chow Style Chili Crisp Oil
Products and services
- Sriracha Chili Sauce (Gluten Free & Non-GMO) A bold and spicy chili sauce verified as Non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project and certified gluten-free, delivering a blend of hot and sweet savoriness with a hint of garlic. Sold to retail consumers, foodservice operators, and used across home cooking, stir-fry, and condiment applications.
- Sriracha Mayo (Cage-Free Eggs & Gluten-Free) A versatile sauce combining the fiery spiciness of sriracha with creamy mayonnaise, made with cage-free eggs and certified gluten-free. Designed for sandwiches, burgers, dipping sauces, and culinary applications for retail consumers and foodservice operators.
- Chiu Chow Chili Crisp Oil An authentic Chiu Chow-style chili crisp oil delivering rich, spicy, umami-packed taste infused with aromatic garlic and flavorful chili peppers. Sold to home cooks, professional chefs, and food manufacturers for adding heat and texture to dishes.
- Chili Bean Sauce (Toban Djan) A savory and spicy paste (Toban Djan) made from fermented broad beans, soybeans, and salted chili peppers, essential for Sichuan-style cooking. Sold to retail consumers and foodservice operators for authentic Chinese cuisine preparation.
- Less Sodium Soy Sauce A reduced-sodium soy sauce naturally brewed from premium Non-GMO soybeans and wheat flour, with no preservatives added. Targeted at health-conscious home cooks, restaurants, and food manufacturers seeking lower-sodium seasoning options.
- Premium Oyster Sauce A premium oyster-flavored sauce for enhancing stir-fry dishes and adding rich umami flavor across home cooking, professional foodservice, and industrial food preparation.
- Panda Brand Oyster Sauce A popular oyster sauce sold under the Panda sub-brand, featuring easy-squeeze bottles and smooth texture. Marketed to home cooks and foodservice operators for convenient portion-controlled usage.
- Hoisin Sauce A versatile sauce made with spices, soybeans, and sweet potato, used for marinating, stir-frying, and as a dipping sauce. Sold to home cooks, restaurants, and food manufacturers across Asian and fusion cuisine applications.
- Char Siu Sauce (Chinese Barbecue Sauce) A sauce formulated for Chinese-style barbecue (char siu) pork preparation. Sold to home cooks and Chinese restaurant operators for authentic barbecue applications.
- Chu Hou Paste A traditional Chinese braising paste for slow-cooked meat dishes. Sold to home cooks and Cantonese restaurants for authentic braising applications.
- Pure Sesame Oil Premium sesame oil with concentrated fragrance, suitable for cold dishes, blanched vegetables, marinating, and soups. Carries Kosher certification. Sold to retail consumers, chefs, and food manufacturers.
- Chili Garlic Sauce A spicy garlic sauce for adding heat and flavor to Asian and fusion dishes. Sold to home cooks and foodservice operators for stir-fry, dipping, and condiment applications.
- XO Sauce A premium seafood sauce made with dried scallops, shrimp, and other premium ingredients. Targeted at upscale restaurants and premium home cooks for Cantonese fine dining applications.
- Premium Dark Soy Sauce Naturally brewed dark soy sauce with rich color for braising and cooking. Sold across home cooking, restaurant, and food manufacturing applications.
- Mushroom-Flavored Dark Soy Sauce Dark soy sauce with mushroom flavoring, suitable for red-braised dishes. Sold to retail consumers and foodservice operators for traditional Chinese cooking.
- Seasoned Soy Sauce for Seafood A specialized soy sauce formulated for steamed fish and seafood dishes. Sold to home cooks and restaurants preparing Cantonese seafood.
- Minced Garlic Pre-minced garlic packaged for convenient cooking preparation. Sold to home cooks and foodservice operators seeking time-saving aromatics.
- Minced Ginger Pre-minced ginger packaged for convenient cooking preparation. Sold to home cooks and foodservice operators seeking time-saving aromatics.
- Concentrated Chicken Bouillon A concentrated chicken flavor enhancer used for marinating, stir-frying, steaming, or as soup base. Sold to home cooks, restaurants, and food manufacturers.
- Vegan Oyster Flavored Sauce (Mushroom-Based) A plant-based oyster-flavored sauce (香菇素蠔油) made with mushrooms, enabling vegetarian and vegan cooking without sacrificing umami flavor. Sold to retail consumers, foodservice operators, and food manufacturers.
- Chili Black Bean Sauce A spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and chili, ideal for stir-fries. Sold to home cooks and foodservice operators for Asian cuisine preparation.
- Sichuan Style Broad Bean Sauce
Quantifiable outcome
- Global footprint across 100+ countries with 300+ sauce products
Companies that use Lee Kum Kee
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lee Kum Kee technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Lee Kum Kee partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- YingtaominorLee Kum Kee partnered with Yingtao, a contemporary Chinese restaurant in Manhattan, to host an exclusive five-course tasting dinner on June 10. The menu showcased over ten Lee Kum Kee products including Premium Oyster Sauce and First Draw Soy Sauce as precision culinary tools in fine dining contexts, with dishes developed by Chef Emily Yuen and restaurant founders Bolun Yao and Linette Yao.
- Los Angeles Times StudioscoreLee Kum Kee partnered with Los Angeles Times Studios as part of its #FlavorsofAAPI campaign for AAPI Heritage Month to celebrate Asian American identity through flavor storytelling, with cultural narratives shared across media platforms.
- America's Test KitchencoreLee Kum Kee collaborated with America's Test Kitchen as part of the #FlavorsofAAPI campaign to provide culinary education and cooking demonstrations highlighting Asian American culinary traditions.
- InstacartminorLee Kum Kee partnered with Instacart for the #FlavorsofAAPI campaign, enabling consumers to purchase Lee Kum Kee products online for workplace celebrations and home cooking through the Instacart platform.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lee Kum Kee competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Conagra Brands: Conagra is a large North American packaged food company with sauce and condiment brands (including Asian lines). It is a broad incumbent competing for the same shelf space but not specializing in authentic Asian sauces.
- McCormick & Company: McCormick is a large public CPG company with broad seasonings, sauces, and condiments portfolios including Asian brands. It overlaps with Lee Kum Kee on the retail shelf but competes as a broad incumbent rather than a category specialist.
Emerging players
- Fly by Jing: Fly by Jing is a fast-growing premium Chinese sauce brand (chili crisp, dumplings, Zhong sauces) that competes for the same modern American consumer seeking authentic Chinese flavors at a higher price point.
- Thai Kitchen (McCormick brand): Thai Kitchen is a leading retail brand for Thai cooking sauces, curry pastes, and noodles under McCormick. It competes in adjacent Asian cuisine segments with similar shelf placement and consumer base as Lee Kum Kee.
- Momofuku (restaurant/CPG): Momofuku has expanded David Chang's restaurant brand into retail CPG including Asian sauces and chili crisp. It is an emerging premium competitor in the same American consumer Asian-sauce segment.
Direct peers
- Yamasa Corporation: Yamasa is one of Japan's oldest soy sauce producers, with a comparable heritage brand profile and naturally brewed soy sauce portfolio. Closely matched to Lee Kum Kee in fermentation heritage and category focus.
- Kikkoman: Kikkoman is the global leader in soy sauce and Asian sauces, with a similar product portfolio spanning soy sauces, teriyaki, and Asian condiments. It is the most directly comparable peer in product category and target market.
- San-J International: San-J is a US-based Japanese tamari and Asian sauce manufacturer focused on premium, gluten-free, and Non-GMO positioning. Direct competitor in the specialty/premium soy sauce and Asian condiment category.
- Mizkan: Mizkan is a Japanese family-owned sauce and vinegar producer with strong Asian condiment and ready-sauce lines. Closely comparable to Lee Kum Kee in family ownership, heritage brand positioning, and multi-category Asian sauce portfolio.
- Huy Fong Foods: Huy Fong Foods is the maker of Sriracha chili sauce and a direct competitor to Lee Kum Kee's Sriracha and chili sauce SKUs in the US market. Similar private, family-controlled CPG model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lee Kum Kee social profiles
Digital presenceLee Kum Kee compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Lee Kum Kee financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lee Kum Kee leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lee Kum Kee funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lee Kum Kee 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 Lee Kum Kee
What does Lee Kum Kee do?
Lee Kum Kee manufactures and distributes over 300 authentic Asian sauces and condiments, including soy sauces, oyster sauces, chili oils, chili sauces, hoisin sauce, marinades, bouillons, soup bases, vinegars, XO sauces, and ready-to-eat products. The company serves home cooks, professional chefs, and industrial food manufacturers through distinct Homecook, Food Professional, and Industrial channels across 100+ countries.
Is Lee Kum Kee a public or private company?
Lee Kum Kee is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Lee Kum Kee founded?
Lee Kum Kee was founded in 1888. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Lee Kum Kee based?
Lee Kum Kee is headquartered in City Of Industry, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lee Kum Kee make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) - Retail Sales are the primary driver. The others are foodservice / Professional Channel.
Who are Lee Kum Kee's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Conagra Brands and McCormick & Company. Emerging players are Fly by Jing, Thai Kitchen (McCormick brand) and Momofuku (restaurant/CPG). Direct peers are Yamasa Corporation, Kikkoman, San-J International, Mizkan and Huy Fong Foods.
Does Lee Kum Kee have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lee Kum Kee.
What industry is Lee Kum Kee in?
Lee Kum Kee's product category is Asian Sauces and Condiments. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKADAF, Soy Sauce, Tamari & Asian Condiments Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAKADAO, Fermented & Specialty Condiments Manufacturing (Kimchi Base, Gochujang, Miso-Based Sauces). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2090.