Solo Cup Company

What Solo Cup Company does

Solo Cup Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer of single-use disposable cups, plates, and bowls sold under multiple sub-brands including the iconic red Solo cup (patented 1976), SOLO Squared, Bare, Bold Hold, AnyDay, Eco-Forward, Jazz, and Sweetheart. Founded in 1936 by Leo Hulseman, the company built its position through a series of acquisitions—most notably SF Holdings in 2004 (adding the Sweetheart and Jazz brands) and InnoWare Plastic in 2010—before being acquired by Dart Container Corporation in 2012, after which it operates as a brand line within the larger private foodservice-packaging manufacturer. Solo serves two primary customer segments: individual consumers purchasing through retail and online channels, and foodservice operators reached via Dart's catalog; sustainability-oriented sub-lines (Bare, Eco-Forward) target buyers with environmental procurement requirements.

The company's underlying technology is rooted in paper and plastic converting rather than software. Its product portfolio spans coated paper hot-cup and cold-cup systems, PET and polypropylene plastic cups, and disposable plates and bowls, with proprietary design platforms such as the SOLO Squared cup geometry and the Bold Hold heavyweight paper plate construction. Solo has progressively extended into recycled-content and compostable offerings, including an 18 oz clear cup with 20% post-consumer recycled content under the Eco-Forward family, reflecting a response to foodservice and retail ESG mandates. The firm holds 5,001–10,000 employees and operates U.S.-only; since the Dart acquisition it has functioned as a brand-and-product asset inside a larger converting platform rather than an independent operator.

Solo's business model is a high-volume, unit-driven consumer products model: it manufactures or sources disposable foodservice and consumer tableware at scale and monetizes it through wholesale and retail pricing across grocery, mass, club, and online channels, with foodservice revenue flowing through Dart's distribution catalog. There is no subscription, SaaS, or platform component; revenue is tied directly to SKU volume in commodity-adjacent categories, with brand equity (anchored in the red cup) supporting price realization and shelf placement against private-label and competing brands. The 400,000+ user-generated photos per year reported for the brand suggest durable consumer pull, but the economics remain those of a mature, low-single-digit-growth consumer staples manufacturer.

Name

Solo Cup Company

Legal name

Dart Container Corporation

Website

https://solocup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Solo Cup Company is a U.S. manufacturer of disposable paper and plastic cups, plates, and bowls sold under the Solo brand and sub-lines. Founded in 1936 and acquired by Dart Container Corporation in 2012, it serves retail consumers and foodservice operators primarily in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disposable Tableware

NAICS

All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199), Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219)

SIC

Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080), Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Disposable Tableware (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRAJAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Food Storage Containers (Disposable & Reusable) (CRAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Disposable tableware
• Paper cups
• Plastic cups
• Party supplies
• Food containers

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consumer Tableware Sales: Solo brand cups, plates, and bowls are sold as disposable consumer goods through retail stores and online retailers. Products are purchased for everyday household use and party/event occasions. Revenue is generated through one-time transaction sales rather than recurring relationships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Solo Cup Company manufactures and sells disposable paper and plastic cups, plates, and bowls under the SOLO brand for everyday household use, party occasions, and foodservice applications. The product portfolio includes clear plastic cups, the iconic red SOLO Squared® party cups, plastic plates and bowls in classic red and navy, AnyDay paper plates and bowls made from plant-based renewable resources, and Bold Hold™ heavyweight paper plates and bowls for heavy meals. Products are distributed through retail stores, online retailers, and Dart Container Corporation's foodservice catalog for commercial buyers.

Product overview

Solo Cup Company, now a brand within Dart Container Corporation, offers a unified portfolio of disposable cups, plates, and bowls for everyday and party occasions. The product line spans plastic products (clear cups with eco-forward recycled content options, the iconic red Squared® party cups, and plastic plates and bowls in classic red and navy blue) and paper products (AnyDay paper plates and bowls made from 99% plant-based renewable resources, and Bold Hold™ heavyweight paper plates and bowls for heavier meals). The portfolio also includes the eco-conscious Bare® sub-brand launched in 2008 with recyclable, recycled, compostable, and renewable material options. A separate Dart Foodservice catalog offers products for business and commercial food service operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SOLO Squared: The iconic squared-design plastic cup featuring the original red SOLO design with grips to help prevent spills.
• Bare
• Bold Hold
• AnyDay
• Eco-Forward
• Jazz
• Sweetheart

Products and services

• 10 oz Clear Plastic Cup Crystal-clear 10 oz plastic cup for cold beverages, designed for cocktails, drinks, and desserts with eye-catching presentation and glass-like clarity. Targeted at consumers hosting parties and gatherings.
• 18 oz Clear Eco-Forward Plastic Cup Crystal-clear 18 oz plastic cup containing 20% post-consumer recycled content, shatter-resistant with glass-like clarity for outdoor activities. Targeted at eco-conscious consumers.
• 18 oz Plastic Party Cup (Squared®)
• 10 in Plastic Plate Heavy-duty 10-inch plastic plate available in classic SOLO red or navy blue with squared raised edges to hold meals in place. Targeted at consumers serving larger meals.
• 9 in Plastic Plate Sturdy 9-inch plastic plate in original SOLO red or navy blue, ideal for smaller portions with grips to help prevent spills.
• 20 oz Plastic Bowl Squared® 20 oz plastic bowl in classic SOLO red featuring squared design and grips for secure meal handling.
• 10 in Paper Plate (AnyDay) AnyDay 10-inch paper plate made from 99% plant-based renewable resources, strong and sturdy for mealtime and cookouts.
• 8.5 in Paper Plate (AnyDay) AnyDay 8.5-inch paper plate with decorative designs, made from 99% plant-based renewable resources.
• 6.8 in Paper Plate (AnyDay) AnyDay 6.8-inch paper plate ideal for appetizers and desserts, made from 99% plant-based renewable resources.
• 12 oz Paper Bowl (AnyDay) AnyDay 12 oz paper bowl made from 99% plant-based renewable resources, suitable for hot and cold foods.
• 20 oz Heavyweight Paper Bowl (Bold Hold™) SOLO® Bold Hold™ 20 oz heavyweight paper bowl that is soak proof and holds up to the messiest of meals, available in creative designs.
• 10 in Heavyweight Paper Plate (Bold Hold™) SOLO® Bold Hold™ 10-inch heavyweight paper plate with maximum strength that holds up to the messiest of meals.
• 8.5 in Heavyweight Paper Plate (Bold Hold™) SOLO® Bold Hold™ 8.5-inch heavyweight paper plate with maximum strength that holds up to hearty lunches.
• Bare® Eco-Forward Product Line

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Dart Container CorporationcoreOthers · 1 January 2012SOLO Cup Company was purchased by Dart Container Corporation in 2012, making SOLO a brand line within Dart Container Corporation. This acquisition greatly expanded SOLO's product offerings and distribution capabilities. Dart continues to operate the SOLO brand for consumer tableware while maintaining its own foodservice container business.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Dart Container Corporation: Parent company of SOLO and a leading U.S. manufacturer of foodservice disposable containers. Directly comparable product portfolio across paper and plastic cups, plates, and bowls; SOLO is the consumer-facing brand while Dart sells foodservice-direct under its own name.
• Dixie (Georgia-Pacific): One of the most established U.S. consumer brands in disposable paper cups, plates, and bowls. Closest direct competitor to SOLO in retail grocery and mass channels, with comparable product breadth in everyday and heavy-duty paper tableware.
• Hefty (Reynolds Consumer Products): Reynolds Consumer Products' Hefty brand offers disposable cups, plates, and party supplies through retail and foodservice channels. Directly competes with SOLO in plastic cups and disposable tableware, with overlapping end-uses in entertaining and everyday meals.
• Huhtamaki: Global foodservice and consumer goods packaging company producing paper and plastic disposable tableware including cups, plates, and bowls. Comparable product portfolio to SOLO across both consumer and foodservice segments with broader international footprint.
• Chinet (Hoffmaster): Manufacturer of disposable paper plates, bowls, and tableware under the Chinet brand. Direct competitor in heavy-duty paper plates and bowls category where SOLO's Bold Hold competes, with similar foodservice and consumer exposure.
• Genpak: Manufacturer of disposable foodservice products including plastic cups, plates, and hinged containers. Closely comparable in product format and target customer (foodservice operators), with overlapping paper and plastic tableware offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Pactiv Evergreen: Large diversified foodservice and food packaging manufacturer producing cups, containers, and tableware across paper, plastic, and foam. Overlaps with SOLO in foodservice cup and plate categories but is much larger and broader in scope, serving QSR and grocery at scale.
• Berry Global Group: Diversified plastic packaging manufacturer producing consumer and foodservice plastic cups and containers. Competes with SOLO in plastic cup and container categories at scale, but is broader across packaging end-markets rather than consumer tableware-focused.

Emerging players

• Eco-Products (Novolex): Specializes in compostable and recycled-content disposable foodservice ware including cups, plates, and cutlery. Directly competes with SOLO's Bare® eco-forward line as sustainability demand grows, with stronger positioning in BPI-certified compostables.
• World Centric: Mission-driven manufacturer of compostable disposable tableware including plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery. Comparable product formats to SOLO with a focused sustainability and foodservice angle, representing an emerging competitive threat as eco-friendly procurement expands.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/solocup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solo-cup-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solo Cup Company