What Jake's Fireworks does

Jake's Fireworks, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned U.S. importer, wholesaler, and retailer of consumer fireworks, headquartered in Pittsburg, Kansas. The company describes itself as one of the largest fireworks importers in the world and operates a 500,000 square foot headquarters and distribution facility opened in 2016, supplemented by a network of nine regional distribution centers across the United States. Its owned brand portfolio spans World Class, Excalibur, Cutting Edge, Boomer, One Bad Mother, Gorilla Warfare, and Crazy Exciting, covering product categories such as artillery shells, cakes, fountains, roman candles, rockets, sparklers, firecrackers, novelties, and family packs.

Jake's runs a dual-channel business model. On the wholesale side it sells to independent fireworks retailers, tent and stand operators, and aspiring entrepreneurs through tiered budget programs ranging from $2,500 to $50,000-plus per account, complemented by a direct-from-China container drop ship program and private labeling services. On the retail side it sells directly to consumers through more than 500 company-operated permanent stores and seasonal tents across nine states (Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas), permanent in-store fireworks departments at Walmart, an e-commerce site, and a mobile app with a VIP rewards program. Additional revenue-adjacent programs include a cause-marketing partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation and fundraising programs that allow organizations to earn money by selling fireworks.

The go-to-market motion is sales-led and event-driven: the company's primary B2B engagement tool is its annual World Class Fireworks Shoot Off event series, which in 2026 expands to eight U.S. cities alongside a special 250th Anniversary product line timed to America's semiquincentennial. The company is privately held under the Marietta family, has no external venture or private equity investors, and employs between 101 and 250 people, with leadership anchored by CEO and President Michael "Mick" Marietta and active involvement of the next generation (Jacob and Kash Marietta).

Name

Jake's Fireworks

Legal name

Jake's Fireworks, Inc.

Website

https://jakesfireworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Jake's Fireworks is a fourth-generation, family-owned U.S. importer, wholesaler, and retailer of consumer fireworks, selling through 9 distribution centers, 500+ retail stores and tents across 9 states, wholesale accounts, and Walmart permanent departments under brands including World Class and Excalibur.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Fireworks Distribution

NAICS

Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423920), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Party Games, Novelty & Impulse Toy Distribution (CRAOAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Party Games & Family Entertainment Games Retail (CRALAFAJ)

Keywords

• Consumer fireworks distribution
• Wholesale fireworks importer
• Fireworks retail stores
• Pyrotechnic product brands
• Fireworks supply chain

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Fireworks Sales: Direct consumer sales through company-owned retail stores, seasonal tents, and Walmart partnerships across 9 U.S. states. Retail customers purchase fireworks for personal celebrations including Fourth of July, New Year's, Memorial Day, and other holidays.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale fireworks sales to independent retailers, tent operators, and entrepreneurs. Jake's distributes World Class, Boomer, and Cutting-Edge brand fireworks through distribution centers. Includes direct-from-China container drop ship program and private labeling options.
3. Folds of Honor Partnership: For every Folds of Honor Firework sold, proceeds are donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation supporting families of U.S. Armed Forces members who sacrificed their lives or were disabled while serving.
4. Fundraising Programs: Fundraising programs allowing individuals and organizations to raise money by selling fireworks, providing a unique income opportunity for communities and groups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jake's Fireworks is one of the largest U.S. importers and distributors of consumer fireworks, operating a dual wholesale and retail model. The company distributes proprietary house brands (World Class, Excalibur, Cutting Edge, Boomer, One Bad Mother, Gorilla Warfare, Crazy Exciting) through 9 distribution centers to independent retailers and entrepreneurs, while selling directly to consumers via more than 500 company-owned retail stores and seasonal tents across 9 U.S. states. The product portfolio spans aerial shells, cakes, artillery shells, fountains, sparklers, roman candles, rockets, family packs, firecrackers, novelties, and pre-packaged display cartons.

Product overview

Jake's Fireworks is a wholesale fireworks distributor and retail chain selling premium consumer fireworks. The company operates as the largest U.S. importer of fireworks with over 80 years of experience, distributing World Class, Excalibur, Cutting Edge, Boomer, One Bad Mother, Gorilla Warfare, and Crazy Exciting brands. Product portfolio includes aerial shells, cakes, artillery shells, fountains, sparklers, roman candles, rockets, novelties, firecrackers, and family packs. The company serves both wholesale customers (retailers, tent operators) through 9 distribution centers and direct consumers through 500+ retail stores across 9 states. Additional offerings include a mobile app with coupons, gift cards, VIP rewards, fundraising programs, and a Folds of Honor cause marketing partnership. A container drop ship program and private labeling are available for wholesale customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• World Class Fireworks Brand The company's flagship wholesale fireworks brand offering premium consumer fireworks including aerial shells, cakes, and novelty items, positioned as Jake's Fireworks' largest imported brand.
• Excalibur Fireworks Brand Premium artillery shells and aerial fireworks line known for powerful effects and vivid colors.
• Cutting Edge Fireworks Brand Fireworks brand featured in product demonstrations and Jake's annual Shoot-Off events.
• Boomer Fireworks Brand Consumer fireworks brand distributed through Jake's wholesale network alongside World Class and Cutting Edge brands.
• One Bad Mother Fireworks Brand Popular consumer fireworks brand known for powerful effects.
• Gorilla Warfare Fireworks Brand High-impact fireworks brand featuring bold aerial effects.
• Crazy Exciting Fireworks Brand Consumer fireworks brand offering dynamic aerial effects.
• Wholesale Fireworks Distribution B2B wholesale fireworks distribution service delivering to retail stores, tent operators, and stand operators across the United States, leveraging 9 strategically located distribution centers to reduce shipping costs.
• Retail Store Network Direct-to-consumer sales through 500+ company-operated and partner retail fireworks stores across 9 U.S. states.
• Container Drop Ship Program Direct-from-China container drop ship program offering additional savings and product differentiation for wholesale customers.
• Private Labeling Program Custom branding options allowing wholesale customers to sell fireworks under their own labels.
• Fundraising Program Program allowing schools, churches, charities, and community organizations to raise money by selling fireworks.
• Folds of Honor Fireworks Product Line Cause-marketing fireworks product line with proceeds donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation supporting families of U.S. Armed Forces members who were killed or disabled while serving, with a stated goal of $1,500,000 in scholarship opportunities.
• Jake's Fireworks Mobile App Mobile application available on iOS and Android featuring exclusive coupons, store locator functionality, and product information for retail consumers.
• VIP Rewards Program Free customer loyalty program offering exclusive coupons and deals for registered members making repeat retail purchases.
• Jake's Gift Cards Gift cards available in $50 increments for purchasing fireworks products.
• 250th Anniversary Special Products Special fireworks products commemorating America's 250th Birthday in 2026, featuring patriotic designs and effects.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Folds of Honor FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJake's Fireworks partners with the Folds of Honor Foundation to support families of U.S. Armed Forces members who were killed or disabled while serving. For every Folds of Honor Firework sold, proceeds are donated to the foundation. The company has set a goal of $1,500,000 in scholarship opportunities for deserving families.
• World Class FireworkscoreOthersJake's Fireworks is part of the World Class Fireworks Company, distributing World Class brand fireworks alongside Boomer and Cutting-Edge brands. The company sells Excalibur Fireworks, One Bad Mother, Gorilla Warfare, Crazy Exciting and other top consumer fireworks brands.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• TNT Fireworks: TNT Fireworks is a major competitor in consumer fireworks retail and wholesale, with a strong presence in the South and Midwest overlapping Jake's footprint. Both operate multi-state retail networks and supply independent retailers with consumer-grade fireworks.
• International Fireworks (USA): International Fireworks is a multi-brand consumer fireworks importer and distributor based in the U.S., with comparable product categories (aerial shells, cakes, novelties) and B2B wholesale operations serving independent fireworks retailers, mirroring Jake's core wholesale model.
• Phantom Fireworks: Phantom Fireworks is the largest direct competitor to Jake's, operating a national chain of consumer fireworks retail stores plus wholesale distribution. Both companies serve the same end consumer and wholesale customer base with overlapping product portfolios in consumer fireworks, making them the closest comparable in the U.S. market.
• Black Cat Fireworks: Black Cat is one of the most recognized consumer fireworks brands globally, with extensive U.S. retail and wholesale penetration through independent retailers and seasonal tents, making it a direct competitor in both retail branding and wholesale product distribution to Jake's customer base.
• Winco Fireworks International: Winco is a leading importer and wholesale distributor of consumer fireworks, directly comparable to Jake's wholesale distribution business. Both source from Asian manufacturers and supply the U.S. independent retail and tent operator channel.

Others

• Walmart Fireworks (Walmart Inc.): Walmart is both a customer (Jake's runs in-store fireworks departments at Walmart locations) and a competitive channel for consumer fireworks sales. Walmart's nationwide footprint creates an indirect retail channel that competes with Jake's company-owned stores for end-consumer purchases.

Emerging players

• Red Panda Fireworks: Red Panda Fireworks is a growing consumer fireworks brand with direct-to-consumer online and limited retail distribution, representing an emerging competitor in branded consumer fireworks. While smaller than Jake's, its branded strategy targets similar independent retailer partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Fireworks by Grucci: Grucci is an iconic U.S. fireworks company spanning professional display pyrotechnics and consumer fireworks brands. While primarily known for commercial displays, Grucci also distributes consumer products through retail, providing overlap with Jake's in end-product categories and brand positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jakes-fireworks
• Facebookfacebook.com/jakesfireworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/jakesfireworks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@jakesfireworks
• Xx.com/jakesfireworks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Jake's Fireworks