San Francisco Salt Company
San Francisco Salt Company is a specialty salt producer operating an SQF-certified facility in Springfield, MO, sourcing traceable artisan salts and selling them via DTC e-commerce, tiered wholesale, and KeHE/UNFI distribution to home cooks, fine-dining restaurants, CPG brands, craft butchers, and hydration brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersHayward, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What San Francisco Salt Company does
San Francisco Salt Company is a specialty salt producer and distributor that began operations around 2004-2006 as Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt Co. on Pier 39 in San Francisco and now operates from an SQF Quality Code-certified facility in Springfield, Missouri. The company sources traceable salts from named origins including Guérande (France), Khewra (Pakistan), Cyprus, and the Mediterranean, and converts them into a portfolio of artisan finishing salts, Himalayan pink salts, smoked sea salts, sea and kosher salts, and curated blends. Production includes a proprietary cold-smoking process over real hardwoods, supported by an in-house R&D lab staffed by a food scientist and a culinary chef. The product line carries a broad stack of certifications (USDA Organic, Kosher, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, BPA-Free, PFAS-Free, Allergen-Free, Pesticide-Free) that function as both compliance gating and brand positioning.
The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market. Direct-to-consumer revenue flows through the sfsalt.com e-commerce site, while B2B distribution uses a two-tier wholesale model — online ordering for orders up to 400 pounds and phone/email handling for higher-volume accounts. Authorized distribution partnerships with KeHE and UNFI extend reach into natural, specialty, and conventional grocery channels, with Raley's cited as a retail customer. Customer segments span home cooks, fine-dining restaurants, premium CPG brands, craft butchers, specialty food brands, and hydration/beverage brands (Element is named as a B2B account). Marketing assets include the Flavor Lab content/blog platform, social channels, and email — used to support both DTC conversion and B2B lead generation. The company is privately held, US-only in operations, and has not disclosed funding, headcount, or revenue.
San Francisco Salt Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- San Francisco Salt Company
- Website
- https://sfsalt.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- San Francisco Salt Company is a specialty salt producer operating an SQF-certified facility in Springfield, MO, sourcing traceable artisan salts and selling them via DTC e-commerce, tiered wholesale, and KeHE/UNFI distribution to home cooks, fine-dining restaurants, CPG brands, craft butchers, and hydration brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
San Francisco Salt Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Gourmet Salts
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Salt & Salt-Based Seasonings (Sea Salt, Flake, Seasoned Salts) (AFAJANAE)
Keywords
Where San Francisco Salt Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hayward
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
San Francisco Salt Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: B2C and B2B product sales through sfsalt.com online store. Products sold in various sizes from 4oz stackable pouches to 40lb Chef's Cases. Consumer and small business customers purchase directly online.
- Wholesale B2B Sales: Volume wholesale to fine dining restaurants, CPG brands, craft butchers, hydration companies, and specialty food brands. Orders up to 400 lbs placed online; larger orders handled via customer service team. No minimums for online orders.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail consumer pricing for individual consumers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tier 1 wholesale online self-serve up to 400 lbs |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Tier 2 volume wholesale for orders over 400 lbs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
San Francisco Salt Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
San Francisco Salt Company formulates, blends, and distributes premium specialty gourmet salts — including artisan salt blends, finishing salts, Sherpa Pink Himalayan salt, sea and kosher salts, and cold-smoked sea salts — sourced from traceable single origins worldwide. Products are manufactured in an SQF Quality Code certified Springfield, Missouri facility using an in-house food scientist and culinary chef, and sold via sfsalt.com to home cooks and via a tiered wholesale program to fine dining restaurants, CPG brands, craft butchers, hydration companies, and specialty food brands.
Product overview
San Francisco Salt Company is a specialty gourmet salt provider offering a diverse portfolio of premium salts across multiple categories. The product lineup centers on Artisan Salt Blends (organic flavored salts like Chili Lime, Lemon Rosemary, Smoky Bacon, Spicy Sriracha, and Garlic Himalayan), Finishing Salts (Italian Black Truffle, French Fleur de Sel, Cyprus Flake), Himalayan Pink Salts (Sherpa Pink® brand), Sea & Kosher Salts (French Grey/Sel Gris, Pacific, Mediterranean, Kosher Mini Flake), and Smoked Sea Salts (Hickory, Alderwood, Cherrywood, Applewood - all cold-smoked over real hardwood). The company also offers bulk Commercial/B2B products including 40 lb Chef's Cases, Turkey Brine Kits, and a Wholesale Program for restaurants, CPG brands, and food manufacturers. An educational Flavor Lab platform provides recipe content and technical guidance. Products are sourced globally with traceable origins and manufactured in an SQF Quality Code certified facility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Artisan Salt Blends (Organic) A line of USDA Organic artisan salt blends including Organic Chili Lime Sea Salt, Organic Lemon Rosemary Sea Salt, Organic Smoky Bacon Flavored Sea Salt, Organic Spicy Sriracha Sea Salt, and Organic Garlic Himalayan Salt. Flavors combine sea or Himalayan salt bases with real organic spices, herbs, dehydrated citrus, garlic, and natural smoke profiles. Designed for everyday cooking and finishing, with sizes ranging from 4 oz stackable retail pouches through 40 lb commercial Chef's Cases.
- Finishing Salts Premium finishing salts for elevated plating, including Italian Black Truffle Sea Salt, French Fleur de Sel (sourced from the Guérande salt marshes of Brittany, France), and Cyprus Flake Salt with a pyramidal flake structure. Targeted at fine dining and gourmet home cooking for visual and flavor impact as a finishing touch.
- Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt Sherpa Pink Himalayan Salt is the company's signature Himalayan pink salt, sourced from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan and available in coarse, fine, and extra-fine grain sizes for both home and commercial use. The original product that launched the business.
- Sea & Kosher Salts Sea and kosher salt portfolio including French Grey Sea Salt (Sel Gris) from the Guérande marshes of Brittany, Pacific Sea Salt from solar evaporation of Pacific Ocean seawater, Mediterranean Sea Salt from Mediterranean solar evaporation, and Kosher Mini Flake Sea Salt. Available in fine and coarse grain sizes for everyday cooking and dietary requirements.
- Cold-Smoked Sea Salts Sea salts cold-smoked over real hardwood — Hickory, Alderwood, Cherrywood, and Applewood — preserving delicate smoke aromatics without cooking or altering the salt's mineral structure. No liquid smoke or artificial smoke flavorings are used. Available in retail and commercial pack sizes.
- Chef's Cases (40 lb Bulk / Commercial Pack) Bulk 40 lb Chef's Case (2x 20 lb twin-pack) SKUs designed for commercial operations, offering ergonomic handling and storage efficiency. Example SKU: Organic Spicy Sriracha Sea Salt 40 lb Chef's Case priced at $199.00. Available via self-serve online ordering up to 400 lbs and via sales-assisted volume wholesale for larger orders.
- Organic Turkey & Meat Brine Kits Pre-packaged organic brine kits for turkey and meat preparation in three flavor profiles: Garlic Rosemary, Hickory & Herb, and Apple Sage. Priced at $14.95; FDA-certified organic. Targeted at home cooks for holiday and special-occasion roasting.
- Wholesale Program (B2B) Tiered wholesale program serving fine dining restaurants, premium CPG brands, craft butchers, hydration companies, and specialty food brands. Tier 1 offers self-serve online ordering up to 400 lbs (5-20 lb Chef's Bags and 2x 20 lb Chef's Cases) with free shipping and no minimums; Tier 2 handles volume orders via phone (1.800.480.4540) or email ([email protected]) for customized freight coordination and pallet/container pricing. Standard Tier 1 lead time: ~2 business weeks after payment.
Companies that use San Francisco Salt Company
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
San Francisco Salt Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
San Francisco Salt Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- KeHE DistributorscoreAuthorized distributor for San Francisco Salt Company branded products for retail resale. KeHE is a major specialty food distributor serving natural and organic retailers.
- UNFIcoreAuthorized distributor for San Francisco Salt Company branded products for retail resale. UNFI is one of the largest grocery distributors in the U.S.
- ElementnotableHydration brand that uses San Francisco Salt Company's French Grey Sea Salt sourced from the Guérande marshes of Brittany, France for their mineral profile and ingredient-grade purity.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
San Francisco Salt Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Original Salt Co. Specialty salt curator offering flavored, finishing, and smoked salts from multiple geographic origins. Directly comparable assortment and premium D2C/wholesale GTM.
- Bitterman Handcrafted Finishing Salts: Chef-founded specialty salt and finishing salt brand with culinary education-led marketing. Comparable premium artisan positioning, small-batch sourcing, and chef-driven product development.
- Selina Naturally (Celtic Sea Salt): Premium unrefined sea salt brand (Celtic Sea Salt) with traceable origins, direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels, and a similar clean-label, mineral-rich positioning used across culinary and wellness applications.
- Jacobsen Salt Co. Premium American craft salt producer hand-harvesting flake salt from Netarts Bay, Oregon. Comparable B2C + B2B model with chef- and food brand-facing positioning, traceable origins, and a similar premium finishing salt portfolio.
- Maldon Salt Company: Iconic Essex, UK-based producer of premium pyramid flake sea salt. Comparable premium positioning, food-service and retail distribution, and globally recognized finishing salt brand identity.
- SaltWorks: Wide-catalog specialty salt retailer and wholesaler operating from Woodinville, WA, offering sea salts, kosher salts, smoked salts, and flavored blends. Directly comparable product mix, online-first B2C/B2B motion, and ingredient-grade ingredient supply.
Broad incumbents
- McCormick & Company: Largest global spice and seasoning manufacturer with broad portfolio including flavored and finishing salts. Relevant as a broad incumbent whose scale and shelf access overshadow specialty salt brands.
- Morton Salt: Dominant US salt manufacturer with growing premium and specialty product lines. Broad incumbent whose grocery and foodservice distribution reach and pricing power shape the competitive ceiling for premium salt brands.
- Cargill: Global food ingredient supplier (including salt and seasonings) serving industrial CPG and foodservice customers. Relevant as a broad incumbent and ingredient supplier supplying similar B2B channels.
Regional players
- Halen Môn: Welsh, UK-based premium sea salt producer with direct-to-consumer and foodservice channels. Comparable traceable origin, premium finishing salt positioning, and culinary-driven brand narrative, but operating primarily in the UK/European market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
San Francisco Salt Company social profiles
Digital presenceSan Francisco Salt Company compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
San Francisco Salt Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
San Francisco Salt Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
San Francisco Salt Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
San Francisco Salt Company 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 San Francisco Salt Company
What does San Francisco Salt Company do?
San Francisco Salt Company formulates, blends, and distributes premium specialty gourmet salts — including artisan salt blends, finishing salts, Sherpa Pink Himalayan salt, sea and kosher salts, and cold-smoked sea salts — sourced from traceable single origins worldwide. Products are manufactured in an SQF Quality Code certified Springfield, Missouri facility using an in-house food scientist and culinary chef, and sold via sfsalt.com to home cooks and via a tiered wholesale program to fine dining restaurants, CPG brands, craft butchers, hydration companies, and specialty food brands.
Is San Francisco Salt Company a public or private company?
San Francisco Salt Company is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was San Francisco Salt Company founded?
San Francisco Salt Company was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is San Francisco Salt Company based?
San Francisco Salt Company is headquartered in Hayward, United States, in the North America region.
How does San Francisco Salt Company make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale B2B Sales.
Who are San Francisco Salt Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Original Salt Co., Bitterman Handcrafted Finishing Salts, Selina Naturally (Celtic Sea Salt), Jacobsen Salt Co., Maldon Salt Company and SaltWorks. Broad incumbents are McCormick & Company, Morton Salt and Cargill. Halen Môn is listed as a regional player.
Does San Francisco Salt Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for San Francisco Salt Company.
What industry is San Francisco Salt Company in?
San Francisco Salt Company's product category is Specialty Gourmet Salts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJANAE, Salt & Salt-Based Seasonings (Sea Salt, Flake, Seasoned Salts). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2090.