StarKist Co.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1917
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What StarKist Co. does
StarKist Co. is a privately held American packaged seafood company founded in 1917 and headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 1,001–5,000 employees. The company manufactures and sells ready-to-eat tuna, salmon, and chicken products in both pouch and can formats under sub-brands including Tuna Creations, Salmon Creations, Chicken Creations, StarKist E.V.O.O. (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Smart Bowls, StarKist Selects, Lunch-To-Go, and Snack-To-Go. Its core technology centers on proprietary flavor development, recipe formulation, and packaging formats (pouches, cans, grain-bowl kits) that deliver 10–29g of protein per serving with wild-caught, dolphin-safe sourcing. The Charlie Tuna mascot and the "Sorry Charlie" catchphrase anchor a century-old brand identity that the company actively re-leverages through nostalgic marketing.
The business model is a conventional branded consumer packaged goods (CPG) operation. Revenue is generated primarily through unit sales of shelf-stable seafood at retail grocery, supermarkets, and convenience stores across the United States, supplemented by a dedicated foodservice division (starkistfoodservice.com) that supplies commercial quantities to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and caterers. A direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront (starkist.com) provides an additional channel, alongside "Where to Buy" tools driving traffic to local retailers. Pricing is unit-based at retail with no disclosed subscription or contract pricing; commercial foodservice pricing is handled through direct sales and sample-request workflows. Marketing is integrated across social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, YouTube), celebrity and athlete endorsements (NASCAR's Busch family, Becca Kufrin, Derek Hough, TJ Oshie, Jax, celebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni), cause marketing with Feed the Children, recipe content marketing, and sweepstakes/community engagement through the #TeamCharlie program.
StarKist is currently being acquired by South Korea-based Dongwon F&B for up to $1.4 billion to expand Dongwon's global food business, a transaction that signals a strategic pivot toward international scale and cross-border distribution synergies. Eunhong (Edward) Min was appointed President & CEO in February 2025 to lead the company through this transition. The customer base is broad and fragmented, targeting health-conscious consumers, busy/on-the-go professionals, families, and fitness/wellness seekers across consumer and foodservice end markets in the U.S.
StarKist Co. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StarKist Co.
- Legal name
- StarKist Co.
- Website
- https://starkist.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1917
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StarKist Co. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Packaged Seafood
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117), Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing (311412)
- SIC
- Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Shelf-Stable/Retort Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (AFANAFAE), Snacking & Single-Serve Protein Meals (Bowls, Bites, Packs) (AFANAFAH), Cold Prepared Foods & Meal Components (Sides, Proteins, Family Meals) (CRAHAKAC)
Keywords
Where StarKist Co. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
StarKist Co. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Consumer Packaged Goods - Retail Sales: StarKist generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of packaged seafood products (tuna, salmon, chicken) through retail grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Products are sold in ready-to-eat formats targeting busy consumers seeking convenient protein options.
- Foodservice Distribution: StarKist operates a foodservice division (starkistfoodservice.com) supplying commercial quantities of tuna and seafood products to restaurants, hotels, catering services, and other food service operators.
- Cause Marketing & Promotions: StarKist conducts cause-related marketing campaigns such as 'Put Child Hunger to Bed' with Feed the Children, where purchases trigger product donations, generating brand goodwill and consumer loyalty while supporting charitable initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail Consumer Products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
StarKist Co. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StarKist Co. manufactures and sells ready-to-eat canned and pouched tuna, salmon, and chicken products under sub-brands including Tuna Creations, Salmon Creations, Chicken Creations, StarKist E.V.O.O. (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Smart Bowls, Lunch-To-Go, and Snack-To-Go. The company also operates a foodservice division supplying commercial quantities to restaurants, hotels, and institutional buyers. Products are marketed as convenient, high-protein (10–29g per serving), portable meals for health-conscious and busy consumers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tuna Creations: Flavored tuna product line in pouches with various taste profiles including Ranch, Herb & Garlic, Lemon Pepper, Hickory Smoke, Sweet & Spicy, Deli Style Tuna Salad, Bacon Ranch, Honey BBQ, and BOLD varieties (Thai Chili, Jalapeño, Hot Buffalo, Sriracha, Cracked Pepper with Roasted Garlic, Cajun Style, Whole Grain Dijon Mustard)
- Salmon Creations
- Chicken Creations
- StarKist Selects
- StarKist E.V.O.O.
- Smart Bowls
- StarKist Lunch-To-Go
- StarKist Snack-To-Go
- Sorry Charlie
- Charlie Tuna
Products and services
- Tuna Creations
Quantifiable outcome
- Products contain 10-19g of protein per serving (E.V.O.O. varieties up to 29g per can)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use StarKist Co.
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
StarKist Co. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
StarKist Co. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, supporting and core.
- Feed the ChildrenflagshipStarKist partners with Feed the Children on the 'Put Child Hunger to Bed' campaign, running May-September 2026. StarKist donates one tuna pouch for every pouch purchased (up to 100,000 pouches) and matches consumer donations dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 to support children and families experiencing food insecurity in the United States.
- Jax (musician)supportingMusician Jax participates in the Put Child Hunger to Bed campaign alongside other influencers to raise awareness and encourage consumer participation in addressing childhood hunger through the StarKist/Feed the Children initiative.
- Kyle Busch, Samantha Busch, and Brexton BuschcoreNASCAR champion Kyle Busch, wellness advocate Samantha Busch, and youth racer Brexton Busch serve as StarKist brand ambassadors for 2026. The partnership promotes StarKist's ready-to-eat protein products integrated into the busy lifestyles of the Busch family, particularly Kyle Busch's racing routine. Partnership emphasizes high-quality, convenient protein products.
- Becca Kufrin, Jackson Olson, and TJ OshiesupportingInfluencer partnerships with former Bachelorette Becca Kufrin, professional baseball player Jackson Olson, and retired hockey player TJ Oshie for the 'Fuel Good, Feel Good' campaign. Influencers share 'fuel good' moments across social media platforms to promote StarKist's ready-to-eat protein products.
- Derek HoughsupportingDance professional and celebrity Derek Hough partnered with StarKist for the 'Flex with StarKist' campaign, celebrating protein-powered lifestyles. Campaign featured social media content showcasing fitness and active living with StarKist products.
- Nick DiGiovanni (Celebrity Chef)coreCelebrity chef Nick DiGiovanni partnered with StarKist to unveil the 'StarKist Mashup Challenge,' creating recipe content featuring StarKist products. The collaboration leverages chef expertise to inspire creative consumer recipes.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
StarKist Co. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chicken of the Sea: Direct competitor in canned and pouched tuna, salmon, and crab. Closest 1:1 comparable to StarKist in product format, distribution (retail + foodservice), and target consumer — together they form the "Big Two" of U.S. shelf-stable tuna.
- Bumble Bee Seafoods: Direct competitor across canned/pouched tuna, salmon, sardines, and crab. Historically the third major U.S. shelf-stable seafood brand and a direct share competitor to StarKist in grocery and club channels.
- Genova Seafood: Premium canned tuna and seafood (yellowfin, albacore, sardines, mackerel) in olive oil. Directly comparable to StarKist E.V.O.O. on premium canned tuna positioning and retail channel placement.
- Crown Prince Natural: Canned seafood including tuna, sardines, anchovies, clams, and smoked oysters. Sits on the same grocery shelf as StarKist with overlapping canned seafood assortment and comparable distribution.
Emerging players
- Safe Catch: Premium, mercury-tested canned tuna and seafood. Competes with StarKist in the health-and-wellness consumer segment with a tested-for-purity positioning, a direct threat to StarKist's omega-3 and clean-label messaging.
- Wild Planet Foods: Premium, sustainably-sourced canned tuna, salmon, and sardines. Competes with StarKist in the natural and premium channel, increasingly encroaching on StarKist's E.V.O.O. and Selects premium SKUs with a sustainability-led value proposition.
- Tonnino Tuna: Premium jarred yellowfin tuna in olive oil. Direct competition to StarKist's E.V.O.O. line in the gourmet and specialty grocery channel, with a similar premium olive-oil-packed format.
Broad incumbents
- Conagra Brands: Large packaged food company with shelf-stable seafood (Bumble Bee, prior ownership) plus broader center-store portfolio. Functions as a broad incumbent in the same grocery and foodservice channels that StarKist operates in.
Others
- Thuna (Thunnus) / Asian Tuna Brands via Dongwon: Dongwon F&B (StarKist's acquirer) is a leading Korean seafood and canned tuna producer. Becomes the most relevant international comparable and prospective parent-affiliated peer post-acquisition, with similar product formats and global distribution ambitions.
Regional players
- Ocean Brands (Ocean Harvest): Canadian-based canned and pouched seafood company with cross-border distribution. Comparable in product format and category to StarKist, primarily serving Canada and select U.S. retail.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
StarKist Co. social profiles
Digital presenceStarKist Co. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StarKist Co. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
StarKist Co. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StarKist Co. 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 StarKist Co.
What does StarKist Co. do?
StarKist Co. manufactures and sells ready-to-eat canned and pouched tuna, salmon, and chicken products under sub-brands including Tuna Creations, Salmon Creations, Chicken Creations, StarKist E.V.O.O. (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), Smart Bowls, Lunch-To-Go, and Snack-To-Go. The company also operates a foodservice division supplying commercial quantities to restaurants, hotels, and institutional buyers. Products are marketed as convenient, high-protein (10–29g per serving), portable meals for health-conscious and busy consumers.
Is StarKist Co. a public or private company?
StarKist Co. is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was StarKist Co. founded?
StarKist Co. was founded in 1917. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is StarKist Co. based?
StarKist Co. is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does StarKist Co. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Consumer Packaged Goods - Retail Sales are the primary driver. The others are foodservice Distribution and cause Marketing & Promotions.
Who are StarKist Co.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee Seafoods, Genova Seafood and Crown Prince Natural. Emerging players are Safe Catch, Wild Planet Foods and Tonnino Tuna. Conagra Brands is listed as a broad incumbent. Thuna (Thunnus) / Asian Tuna Brands via Dongwon is listed as an others. Ocean Brands (Ocean Harvest) is listed as a regional player.
Does StarKist Co. have an API?
No public API is recorded for StarKist Co..
What industry is StarKist Co. in?
StarKist Co.'s product category is Packaged Seafood. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKACAD, Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFANAFAE, Shelf-Stable/Retort Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals. Its NAICS code is 31171 and its SIC code is 2092.