What Samuels Seafood does

Samuels Seafood Company is a Philadelphia-headquartered, privately held seafood distributor founded in 1923, serving B2B foodservice customers (restaurants, hotels, country clubs, hospitals, and institutional operators) across the Mid-Atlantic/Midwest, South Coast, and West Coast/Las Vegas regions, with a global sourcing network spanning fresh and frozen finfish, shellfish, shrimp, and specialty items. The company is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) chain-of-custody certified and operates proprietary operational systems — including a Live Product Holding System, an Ozone Water Sanitation System, and a formal Quality Assurance program — to preserve freshness and food safety across temperature-controlled distribution. Samuels runs dedicated regional sales divisions in Philadelphia (headquarters), Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas, and supplements wholesale with two company-owned retail storefronts in Philadelphia (Giuseppe's Market and Ippolito's Seafood Co., the latter in operation since 1929), a Direct-to-consumer Seven Fish Club membership and home-delivery program, and consumer-facing content including the Fish Tales Magazine (published in three regional editions), the "Ask The Chef" Corporate Chef advisory, and a featured-chef spotlight program. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time wholesale seafood sales to B2B accounts via regional account managers, supplemented by over-the-counter retail, branded featured-product partnerships (Oishii Shrimp, ArkaFjord Salmon, Skuna Bay Salmon under exclusive Mid-Atlantic distribution, Verlasso Salmon), trade-show engagement (Seafood Expo North America), and an e-commerce storefront; pricing is quote-based and varies by product, volume, and customer relationship, with no public pricing disclosed. The company is independently owned with no parent, no disclosed funding rounds, and stable headcount in the 101–250 range.

Name

Samuels Seafood

Legal name

Samuels Seafood Co.

Website

https://samuelsseafood.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Samuels Seafood is a Philadelphia-based, privately held B2B seafood distributor serving restaurants, hotels, and foodservice operators across the Mid-Atlantic, South Coast, and West Coast/Las Vegas with globally sourced fresh and frozen seafood, supplemented by two company-owned Philadelphia retail stores and a consumer home-delivery membership program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seafood Product Sales: Sale of fresh, frozen, and specialty seafood products to restaurants, hotels, and foodservice operators. Products include finfish, shellfish, shrimp, and specialty items. Revenue generated through direct B2B sales with regional pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Samuels Seafood is a wholesale distributor of fresh and frozen seafood — including finfish, shellfish, shrimp, and specialty items — sourced globally and sold to restaurants, hotels, country clubs, hospitals, and institutional foodservice operators. The company supports its distribution with seasonal fish lists, regional daily/monthly/weekly/quarterly specials, a Shellfish Update program, a Corporate Chef consultation service, and two company-owned Philadelphia retail storefronts (Giuseppe's Market and Ippolito's Seafood Co.).

Product overview

Samuels Seafood operates as a premier seafood distributor offering a broad portfolio of fresh and frozen seafood products sourced globally. The core distribution business is organized around two main product categories — Fresh Seafood and Frozen Seafood — supported by a suite of value-added programs including seasonal fish lists (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter), daily and monthly specials organized by regional service areas (Mid-Atlantic/Midwest, South Coast, West Coast/Las Vegas), and a shellfish update newsletter. Featured products highlighted in marketing include Oishii Shrimp (an all-natural, sustainably farm-raised shrimp brand) and Arka Fjord Ultra Premium Salmon (a premium Patagonian salmon brand). The company also operates two retail stores in Philadelphia (Giuseppe's Market and Ippolito's Seafood Co.), a home delivery service tied to the Seven Fish Club membership program, and provides customer-facing resources such as a Corporate Chef Ask The Chef service, Recipe Cards, and the Fish Tales® monthly newsletter/magazine published in three regional editions. Operational technology systems include a Live Product Holding System and an Ozone Water Sanitation System, alongside a formal Quality Assurance program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Oishii Shrimp: All-natural shrimp harvested through dedicated small batch, sustainable shrimp farming methods, featuring vibrant color and exceptional taste.
• Fish Tales Magazine
• Seven Fish Club

Products and services

• Fresh Seafood A broad category of fresh, never-frozen seafood products sourced globally and distributed to restaurants, foodservice operators, and retail consumers.
• Frozen Seafood A broad category of frozen seafood products available for wholesale distribution across Samuels Seafood's regional service areas and through its Philadelphia retail stores.
• Oishii Shrimp All-natural, sustainably farm-raised shrimp from dedicated small-batch farming methods, positioned for vibrant color and taste and distributed to chefs through Samuels Seafood.
• Arka Fjord Ultra Premium Salmon Ultra-premium salmon raised in the untouched fjords of Patagonia, sourced without antibiotics and positioned for sushi counters and elevated tasting menus.
• Giuseppe's Market Philadelphia retail seafood market offering fresh and frozen seafood over the counter to individual consumers.
• Ippolito's Seafood Co. Philadelphia retail seafood market offering fresh seafood over the counter to individual consumers, including Mardi Gras themed specials and event participation.
• Seven Fish Club Membership Program Membership program providing Philadelphia-area home delivery services and exclusive member benefits to consumers.
• Spring/Summer Fish List Seasonal catalog offering the freshest seasonal catches available during spring and summer months, distributed as a downloadable fish list.
• Fall/Winter Fish List Seasonal catalog offering the freshest seasonal catches available during fall and winter months, distributed as a downloadable fish list.
• Daily Specials Program A daily rotating selection of fresh and frozen seafood products offered at promotional pricing, organized by region across Mid-Atlantic/Midwest and South Coast service areas.
• Monthly Specials Program A monthly rotating selection of featured seafood products offered at promotional pricing, with regional editions for Mid-Atlantic/Midwest, South Coast, and West Coast/Las Vegas markets.
• Shellfish Update Regularly issued report showcasing Samuels Seafood's largest selection of shellfish products, including new and seasonal varieties.

Quantifiable outcome

• Largest selection of Shellfish in the region

Named customers7 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oishii ShrimpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured product partner highlighted in Fish Tales Magazine and marketing materials. Oishii provides all-natural shrimp through small-batch, sustainable farming methods. Samuels features Oishii Shrimp as a sponsored featured item in newsletters and markets the product as a key differentiator.
• Alaska SeafoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarketing partnership featuring Wild Alaska Seafood products. Includes co-sponsored content in Fish Tales Magazine and Alaska-fest events at Samuels facilities. Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute collaboration for promoting sustainable wild-caught Alaskan seafood.
• Skuna Bay SalmoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution agreement in Mid-Atlantic region for Skuna Bay Salmon. Featured product for chef challenges and special events. Partnership includes Kentucky Derby Challenge Cook Off events.
• Verlasso SalmonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Verlasso Salmon expanding East Coast reach through Samuels distribution network. Has included Verlasso Challenge for Charity events.
• ArkaFjordminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for ArkaFjord Ultra Premium Salmon sourced from Patagonian fjords. Salmon marketed as exceptional quality with no antibiotics for sushi counters and elevated tasting menus.
• Giuseppe's MarketcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompany-owned retail store in Philadelphia market. Operated as part of Samuels Seafood retail presence for consumer sales.
• Ippolito's Seafood Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCompany-owned retail store in Philadelphia. Since 1929, serving Philadelphia residents with fresh seafood. Includes Mardi Gras themed specials and event participation.
• AmazonFreshminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHistorical partnership for Northeast U.S. seafood distribution through AmazonFresh online grocery service.
• Certified Piedmontese BeefminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured item sponsorship in Fish Tales Magazine. Co-marketing relationship for premium beef products featured alongside seafood content.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• True World Foods: National restaurant-focused seafood distributor with multi-region distribution centers and a broad fresh and frozen portfolio. Direct competitor to Samuels in B2B foodservice seafood distribution, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and on the East Coast.
• National Fish & Seafood: U.S. seafood processor and distributor serving retail, foodservice, and industrial customers nationwide. Comparable to Samuels as a broad-line fresh and frozen seafood supplier with foodservice focus and national distribution.
• The Lobster Place: New York-based seafood wholesaler with an integrated retail counter, sushi bar, and home delivery. Directly comparable to Samuels in combining B2B restaurant distribution with consumer retail and home delivery in a Northeastern metro market.
• Fortune Fish & Gourmet: Midwest- and East Coast-based specialty seafood and gourmet foods distributor serving restaurants and retailers. Closely comparable to Samuels in customer base (chefs and restaurants), product breadth (fresh/frozen seafood plus gourmet), and multi-region coverage.
• Seattle Fish Company: Large multi-regional seafood distributor historically rooted in the West and Mountain West, serving restaurants and foodservice. Direct peer given overlapping B2B distribution model, fresh and frozen seafood portfolio, and emphasis on sustainable sourcing.
• Stavis Seafoods: Family-owned Boston-based seafood distributor with a long history supplying restaurants, retailers, and home delivery customers in the Northeast. Comparable to Samuels in heritage, family ownership, premium B2B positioning, and consumer retail/home delivery channels.
• Wild Edibles: New York City-based specialty seafood distributor serving high-end restaurants and home delivery customers. Comparable to Samuels in targeting premium chef customers, emphasizing freshness and quality, and operating a home delivery consumer channel.

Regional players

• Inland Seafood: Atlanta-based seafood processor and distributor serving the Southeast and beyond. Comparable as a regional full-service seafood distributor with processing capabilities and B2B foodservice focus, though its core geography differs from Samuels' Mid-Atlantic base.
• Atlantic Seafood Company: Regional Mid-Atlantic seafood distributor and processor serving restaurants and retailers. Comparable to Samuels in geography, product mix, and B2B customer base, though smaller in geographic reach.

Emerging players

• Captain Bob's Fresh Seafood: Smaller, multi-state seafood distributor with a focus on foodservice and some retail, operating in markets adjacent to Samuels. Comparable as a regional B2B seafood distributor, though with a narrower footprint and product line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/samuelsseafood
• Facebookfacebook.com/SamuelsSeafoodCo
• Instagraminstagram.com/samuelsseafood

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Samuels Seafood