Elephants Delicatessen
Portland-based gourmet food company founded in 1979 operating seven retail deli locations across the metro area, full-service catering, four event venues, wholesale partnerships with New Seasons Market and Williams Sonoma, and national e-commerce for gift boxes and prepared meals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Elephants Delicatessen does
Elephants Delicatessen is a Portland, Oregon-based gourmet food company founded in 1979 that operates a multi-format portfolio anchored by seven retail locations across the Portland metro area. Two distinct store concepts coexist: the full-service Elephants Delicatessen format (dine-in, take-out, delivery, full bars, cheese and charcuterie, gelato, wine and beer) and the quicker-service Flying Elephants cafe format (Fox Tower, South Waterfront, Montgomery Park, World Trade Center). Production is centralized at the Central Kitchen in SE Portland and the Milwaukie Kitchen facility opened in 2023, enabling daily from-scratch preparation of soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and prepared meals.
The company monetizes through four distinct revenue streams: retail transaction revenue across the seven stores; professional-services catering revenue spanning corporate lunch programs, full-service events with servers and bartenders, wedding catering, and pickup/dropoff orders at per-person pricing; transaction-based e-commerce and gift revenue (gourmet gift boxes shipped to all 50 states plus Canada and Mexico, digital and physical gift cards, prepared-meal delivery); and venue-rental plus wholesale revenue from four event venues (Garden Room, Corbett Room, Leftbank Annex at 14,000 sq ft / 933 standing, Montgomery Park with 3,200 sq ft Atrium and 8,000 sq ft Ballroom) and wholesale distribution to New Seasons Market and Williams Sonoma. Customer segments include individual Portland consumers (primary), corporate clients with house-account billing (primary), wedding and event planners (secondary), and 501(c)(3) non-profits running 20%-donation fundraising events (secondary). Pricing is principally unit-based for retail and gift products, per-person for catering, and contract/subscription for full-service events and corporate accounts with monthly billing.
The underlying technology stack is operational rather than differentiated: the Toast Tab platform powers online ordering and the Elephants Rewards loyalty program ($10 reward per $200 spent), Paylocity handles HR/payroll, Everybite provides a static nutritional-information widget, and DoorDash, Caviar, and Grubhub provide third-party delivery from the Corbett location. The company is a Certified B Corporation since 2015, sources from 95%+ local and independent vendors, and has stated a net-zero-by-2030 climate commitment. In June 2025, Henry Hillman became majority owner with stated intent to scale catering, retail, and wholesale partnerships, Martin McClanan was appointed CEO (succeeding founder Anne Weaver, who became Strategic Advisor), and Kyo Koo joined as Director of Production. In March 2026, a fire damaged the flagship NW 22nd Avenue store, temporarily closing that location.
Elephants Delicatessen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Elephants Delicatessen
- Legal name
- Elephants Delicatessen
- Website
- https://elephantsdeli.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Portland-based gourmet food company founded in 1979 operating seven retail deli locations across the metro area, full-service catering, four event venues, wholesale partnerships with New Seasons Market and Williams Sonoma, and national e-commerce for gift boxes and prepared meals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Elephants Delicatessen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Catering & Gourmet Foods
- NAICS
- Specialty Food Retailers (4452), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Prepared Foods & Catering-Focused Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gourmet & Fine Food Stores (CRAHAGAG), Freshly Made Grab-and-Go (Sandwiches, Wraps, Salads) (CRAHAKAA), Ice Cream & Gelato Shops (THAFAGAA)
Keywords
Where Elephants Delicatessen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Elephants Delicatessen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Store Sales: In-store dining, take-out, and delivery from seven Portland metro locations. Revenue from prepared foods, sandwiches, soups, baked goods, gelato, wine, beer, and specialty grocery items.
- Catering Services: Full-service catering with on-site staff, bartenders, and event management. Pickup and dropoff catering. Corporate lunch programs. Seasonal menus with per-person pricing.
- E-commerce Gift Boxes and Prepared Meals: Online shop for gourmet gift baskets shipped nationally. Digital and physical gift cards. Prepared meals delivered locally in Portland metro. Meal totes and cheeseboards.
- Venue Rental: Private event venues: Garden Room (32-50 capacity), Corbett Room (80-100 capacity), Leftbank Annex (933 capacity), Montgomery Park (480-1000 capacity). Revenue from room rentals and exclusive catering.
- Wholesale: Wholesale distribution of prepared meals and specialty food products to retail partners including New Seasons Market and Williams Sonoma.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Al Fresco and Picnic Catering Packages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate Lunch Catering |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Full-Service Catering |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Boxes |
| Subscription | Monthly | House Account / Credit Card |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels11 records
Elephants Delicatessen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Elephants Delicatessen operates seven retail locations across the Portland, Oregon metro area offering from-scratch prepared foods including soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, gelato, and a full bar at select locations. The company provides full-service catering, corporate lunch programs, wedding catering, and pickup/dropoff catering, complemented by four event venues (Garden Room, Corbett Room, Leftbank Annex, Montgomery Park). Additional revenue lines include nationally-shipped gourmet gift boxes, digital and physical gift cards, wholesale distribution to retail partners, and an online ordering platform powered by Toast.
Product overview
Elephants Delicatessen is a Portland, Oregon-based gourmet food company founded in 1979, offering a multi-format portfolio of food products and services. The core business operates seven retail locations under two brands: the full-service Elephants Delicatessen stores featuring dine-in, take-out, delivery, and full bars, and the quicker-service Flying Elephants cafe concept. Complementary offerings include Catering Services (full-service events, corporate lunch programs, wedding catering, and pickup/dropoff options), Gourmet Gift Boxes shipped nationally, Gift Cards (digital and physical), an Elephants Rewards loyalty program, and an extensive wholesale program. The company also operates event venues including the Corbett Room, Garden Room, Leftbank Annex, and Montgomery Park. Food production is centralized at the Central Kitchen in SE Portland and the Milwaukie Kitchen facility. The business operates with a B Corp certification and commitment to net-zero emissions by 2030.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Flying Elephants: Smaller, quicker service format locations offering café-style dining, opened at Fox Tower, South Waterfront, Montgomery Park, and World Trade Center
- Elephants Catering & Events
- Elephants Rewards
- Elephants Cares
Products and services
- Elephants Delicatessen Retail Stores Full-service gourmet deli locations offering dine-in, take-out, and delivery of from-scratch soups, sandwiches, salads, prepared meals, baked goods, and a full bar at select locations. Targeted at Portland-area residents seeking gourmet prepared foods and specialty grocery items.
- Flying Elephants Café Locations Smaller, quicker-service café concept located at Fox Tower, South Waterfront, World Trade Center, and Montgomery Park offering cafe-style dining with full grills, wine, beer, cider, and curated menu items. Targeted at downtown professionals, building tenants, and visitors needing faster service.
- Full-Service Catering Full-service catering with on-site staff, bartenders, and event management, including custom menus, complimentary tastings for up to two individuals with signed contract, and multi-year contract options. Targeted at corporate clients, weddings, and private events.
- Corporate Lunch Catering Sack lunches, box lunches, and buffet spreads delivered to offices with per-person pricing, a 16% delivery service charge, and a $40 minimum delivery order. Targeted at corporate clients needing office meal programs and team events.
- Wedding Catering Full-service wedding catering with customizable menus, menu tastings, linens, and coordination with venues, with Elephants acting as preferred caterer at premier Portland-area venues. Targeted at engaged couples and wedding planners.
- Al Fresco & Pickup Catering Packages
Quantifiable outcome
- 45+ years of continuous operation in Portland
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Elephants Delicatessen
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Elephants Delicatessen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
Elephants Delicatessen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- New Seasons MarketcoreRegional grocery retailer partnership for wholesale distribution of prepared meals and specialty food products.
- Williams SonomacoreNational retail partner for shipping Elephants-made prepared meals to customers in contiguous 48 states.
- Leftbank Annexcore14,000 sq ft event venue operated by Elephants. Capacity 933 standing. For weddings, conferences, trade shows, corporate meetings, and holiday parties.
- Montgomery ParkcoreHistoric venue (National Register of Historic Places, former Montgomery Ward Department Store) with Elephants as exclusive caterer. Atrium (3,200 sq ft, 200-500 capacity) and Ballroom (8,000 sq ft, 280-500 capacity).
- DoorDashminorThird-party delivery partnership for local Portland food delivery from Corbett location.
- CaviarminorThird-party delivery partnership for local Portland food delivery.
- GrubhubminorThird-party delivery partnership for local Portland food delivery.
- Energy Trust of OregonminorPartnership through Strategic Energy Management program helping Elephants achieve energy efficiency goals and net-zero emissions by 2030. Received $18,000 in incentives.
- James Beard Public MarketminorNon-profit board partnership - CEO Martin McClanan serves as chair, connecting Elephants to Portland's food community.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Elephants Delicatessen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New Seasons Market: Regional Pacific Northwest specialty grocer operating in the Portland market; comparable as a premium, locally-sourced food retailer. Both companies occupy overlapping premium grocery/prepared-foods niches in the Portland metro, and the partnership creates a wholesale/customer overlap that frames them as adjacent competitors and partners simultaneously.
- Zupan's Markets: Portland-based family-owned specialty grocer offering gourmet, local, and prepared foods; directly comparable to Elephants on premium Portland positioning, from-scratch/prepared offerings, and community-embedded brand identity.
- Market of Choice: Oregon-based independent specialty grocery chain emphasizing local sourcing, prepared foods, and catering; competes with Elephants in the same Portland metro footprint for premium prepared-meals and catering customers.
- Pastini Pastaria: Portland-based casual Italian restaurant group with multiple locations across the metro area; comparable as a local multi-unit casual dining operator competing for similar dine-in and catering occasions.
- Russ & Daughters: Iconic NYC-based gourmet appetizing shop (founded 1914) with national e-commerce for specialty foods and gift boxes; highly comparable as a multi-generational, city-anchored specialty food institution that scaled via catering, wholesale, and gift-box distribution.
- Balducci's: Specialty gourmet food retailer with prepared foods, catering, cheese/charcuterie, and gift baskets; directly comparable business model combining brick-and-mortar retail with catering, gift-box e-commerce, and wholesale.
Broad incumbents
- Whole Foods Market: National premium grocery chain (Amazon-owned) with multiple Portland locations; broader incumbent that overlaps with Elephants on prepared foods, specialty cheese/charcuterie, and gift offerings but at vastly greater scale and with no Portland-centric positioning.
- Trader Joe's: National specialty grocery chain with multiple Portland-area stores; comparable on curated specialty/prepared food assortment and giftable grocery items, though operating at chain scale rather than local artisan positioning.
Others
- Williams Sonoma: National premium housewares and food retailer; partner/distributor for Elephants' prepared-meal nationwide shipping business. Comparable as a premium consumer brand leveraging curation rather than direct overlap on prepared retail food.
Regional players
- Noble Rot Wine Bar: Portland wine bar and small-plates operator with catering arm; adjacent Portland-based foodservice peer competing for similar corporate-event and special-occasion catering budgets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Elephants Delicatessen social profiles
Digital presenceElephants Delicatessen compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Elephants Delicatessen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Elephants Delicatessen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Elephants Delicatessen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Elephants Delicatessen 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 Elephants Delicatessen
What does Elephants Delicatessen do?
Elephants Delicatessen operates seven retail locations across the Portland, Oregon metro area offering from-scratch prepared foods including soups, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, gelato, and a full bar at select locations. The company provides full-service catering, corporate lunch programs, wedding catering, and pickup/dropoff catering, complemented by four event venues (Garden Room, Corbett Room, Leftbank Annex, Montgomery Park). Additional revenue lines include nationally-shipped gourmet gift boxes, digital and physical gift cards, wholesale distribution to retail partners, and an online ordering platform powered by Toast.
Is Elephants Delicatessen a public or private company?
Elephants Delicatessen is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Elephants Delicatessen founded?
Elephants Delicatessen was founded in 1979. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Elephants Delicatessen based?
Elephants Delicatessen is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Elephants Delicatessen make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Retail Store Sales are the primary driver. The others are catering Services, E-commerce Gift Boxes and Prepared Meals, venue Rental and wholesale.
Who are Elephants Delicatessen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New Seasons Market, Zupan's Markets, Market of Choice, Pastini Pastaria, Russ & Daughters and Balducci's. Broad incumbents are Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's. Williams Sonoma is listed as an others. Noble Rot Wine Bar is listed as a regional player.
Does Elephants Delicatessen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Elephants Delicatessen.
What industry is Elephants Delicatessen in?
Elephants Delicatessen's product category is Catering & Gourmet Foods. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAHAGAM, Prepared Foods & Catering-Focused Specialty Stores, with a secondary code of CRAHAGAG, Gourmet & Fine Food Stores. Its NAICS code is 4452 and its SIC code is 5810.