Cackalacky

What Cackalacky does

Cackalacky, Inc. is a family-owned, SBA-certified small food and lifestyle brand headquartered in Pittsboro, North Carolina, founded around the year 2000 by Caroline and Page Skelton. The company produces Southern-inspired specialty foods, beverages, and branded merchandise, with a core portfolio that includes six signature sauces (Cheerwine Sweet Sauce, Secret Sauce vinegar-style Carolina sauce, Bold Gold mustard-style sauce, Pepper Sauce, Super Extra Hot Pepper Sauce using Carolina Reaper at 1.6M-2.5M SHU, and the UNC-licensed Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce), three lines of snack peanuts including a co-branded John Deere salted peanut that uses a proprietary blister-roasting process, a registered Strawberry Milkshake IPA craft beer, specialty coffees, Beer-B-Q seasoning rub, and a lifestyle merchandise line spanning apparel, fishing lures, grills, and novelty items. Production is fully outsourced to SQF-certified and FDA-inspected contract facilities throughout the Carolinas, meaning Cackalacky itself operates with 1-10 employees and functions as a brand operator rather than a manufacturer.

The business generates revenue across six distinct streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales through cackalacky.com and a physical company store in Pittsboro; retail distribution through hundreds of locations across Costco, Walmart, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Publix, Lowes Foods, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Piggly Wiggly, and independent shops primarily in the Carolinas and Southeast; wholesale distribution via Faire, US Foods Direct, Sysco, McLane Marketplace, and Cheney Brothers; food service supply to restaurants such as Biscuitville, Rise Southern Biscuits, Spartanburg Meat Processing (for Food Lion ribs), and Aramark-operated Cackalacky BBQ Shack concession stands at UNC's Kenan Memorial Stadium; licensing and royalty income from co-branded partnerships with Cheerwine, John Deere, and UNC Chapel Hill; and branded merchandise. Pricing follows unit-pricing across single units, multi-pack bundles, and bulk cases, with no subscription model, and products range from $1.95 small stickers up to $198.95 for the Mini Pig charcoal grill.

The company pursues a community-driven go-to-market anchored by the Endless Cackalacky Summer Tour, a mobile sampling roadshow visiting Costco locations, grocery stores, and festivals across the Southeast, and a brand ambassador program of 28+ individuals including restaurateurs, championship BBQ competitors, and musicians. Marketing relies on organic social (Instagram, Facebook, Threads), earned media (Food Network, NPR, Comedy Central, ABC, Washington Post, Southern Living, Bon Appetit), and content (registered Cackalacky Song, mascot Cackalacky Jack, recipes, Kidz Corner). Co-branded partnerships, particularly Cheerwine Sweet Sauce and Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce, function as the brand's primary differentiation mechanisms, tying Cackalacky to beloved regional identities and providing access to licensed distribution networks the company could not build independently.

Name

Cackalacky

Legal name

Cackalacky, Inc.

Website

https://cackalacky.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cackalacky is a family-owned, SBA-certified small food and lifestyle brand based in Pittsboro, North Carolina, producing Southern-inspired sauces, snack nuts, craft beer, coffee, and branded merchandise, sold through DTC e-commerce, hundreds of retail outlets in the Carolinas and Southeast, wholesale distributors, food service, and co-branded licensing partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Sauces and Snacks

NAICS

Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

BBQ Sauce & Marinades Manufacturing (AFAKADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Condiments, Sauces & Dressings (CRADAAAB), Dips, Salsas, Relishes & Chutneys Manufacturing (AFAKADAM)

Keywords

• BBQ sauces
• Specialty snack nuts
• Craft beer
• Specialty coffee
• Branded merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct E-Commerce Sales: The company sells products directly to consumers through its official website, offering individual units, multi-packs, and bulk cases. Revenue is generated through one-time purchase transactions with options for subscription-style repeat ordering.
2. Retail Distribution: Products are sold through major retail chains (Costco, Walmart, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Publix, etc.) and independent stores. Revenue flows through wholesale relationships with distributors.
3. Wholesale/B2B: Wholesale purchasing available through Faire, US Foods Direct, Sysco, McLane Marketplace, and Cheney Brothers. Direct wholesale inquiries are also handled by the company for shops, restaurants, convenience stores, and tap rooms.
4. Licensing & Co-Branded Products: Cackalacky generates revenue through licensed co-branded products with partners including Cheerwine (Sweet Sauce), John Deere (Salted Peanuts), and UNC Chapel Hill (Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce), with licensing fees contributing to brand revenue.
5. Restaurant & Food Service: Cackalacky supplies sauces, coffee, snack nuts, and seasonings to restaurants and food service operators including Aramark concession stands at UNC athletics venues, Biscuitville, and independently owned establishments.
6. Brand Merchandise: The company sells branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hats, scarves, aprons), accessories (stickers, patches, mugs, can coolers, lip balm), sporting goods (disc golf discs, fishing lures, grills), and novelty items through its e-commerce store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cackalacky manufactures and sells a portfolio of Southern-inspired specialty food and beverage products built around its proprietary secret spice blend. Its lineup spans six signature sauces (Cheerwine Sweet Sauce, Secret Sauce, Bold Gold, Pepper Sauce, Super Extra Hot Pepper Sauce, Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce), spiced and seasoned snack peanuts, craft beer, specialty coffee, seasonings/rubs, and branded lifestyle merchandise including apparel, portable charcoal grills, fishing lures, and a branded guitar pedal. The company operates concession stands (Cackalacky BBQ Shacks) at UNC athletics venues and licenses co-branded products with Cheerwine, John Deere, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Product overview

Cackalacky is a family-owned food and lifestyle brand headquartered in Pittsboro, North Carolina, offering a diverse portfolio of Southern-inspired specialty foods, beverages, and merchandise. The core product lineup centers on six signature sauces: Cackalacky® Cheerwine® Sweet Sauce (tomato-based BBQ with Cheerwine®), Cackalacky® Secret Sauce® (vinegar-style Carolina sauce), Cackalacky® Bold Gold® (mustard-style), Cackalacky® Pepper Sauce (mild), Cackalacky® Super Extra Hot Pepper Sauce (Carolina Reaper), and Carolina Tar Heels® BBQ Sauce (UNC-licensed). Complementary products include snack nuts (Spiced Nuts, Beer-B-Q® Nuts, John Deere Salted Peanuts), craft beer (Strawberry Milkshake IPA), specialty coffees (Bourbon Pecan Pie, Dark Roast), seasonings and rubs, and beer-battered foods. The brand also operates concession stands (Cackalacky® BBQ Shack at UNC Stadium), provides Cackalacky Media Services for film/TV productions, and sells an extensive gear line including apparel, accessories, and the "Mini Pig" portable charcoal grill. Products are distributed through major retailers (Costco, Walmart, Harris Teeter, Publix) and wholesale platforms (Faire, US Foods Direct, Sysco).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cackalacky Cheerwine Sweet Sauce: Tomato-based dipping-grilling sauce made with Cheerwine soft drink formula
• Cackalacky Secret Sauce
• Cackalacky Bold Gold
• Cackalacky Pepper Sauce
• Cackalacky Super Extra Hot Pepper Sauce
• Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce
• Cackalacky Beer
• Cackalacky Coffee
• Cackalacky Spiced Nuts
• Cackalacky Beer-B-Q Nuts
• John Deere Salted Peanuts by Cackalacky
• Cackalacky Jack
• The Cackalacky Song

Products and services

• Cackalacky® Cheerwine® Sweet Sauce A sweet and savory tomato-based dipping, grilling, and marinade sauce made with the original Cheerwine soft drink formula and Cackalacky's secret spice blend. Available in 16oz jars, 1-gallon jugs, and dipping cups for retail and food service.
• Cackalacky® Secret Sauce® A vinegar-style Carolina sauce made with apple cider vinegar, select chile peppers, and Cackalacky's secret spice blend. Rooted in traditional Carolina sauce formulations.
• Cackalacky® Bold Gold® An all-natural mustard-style sauce blending select mustard seeds, apple cider vinegar, cane sugar, and Cackalacky's secret spices.
• Cackalacky® Pepper Sauce A mild pepper sauce at 3-3500 Scoville Heat Units made with fiery chile peppers and Cackalacky's Famously Original secret spices.
• Cackalacky® Pepper Sauce - Super Extra Hot An extra-spicy pepper sauce brewed with Carolina Reaper chile peppers, weighing in at approximately 1,642,000-2,500,000 Scoville Heat Units with subtle notes of sweetness and fruity flavors.
• Carolina Tar Heels® BBQ Sauce A tomato-based barbecue sauce officially licensed by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, sold at UNC athletics venues (Kenan Stadium, Dean Smith Center concessions) and through Cackalacky retail channels for tailgate and backyard barbecue use.
• Cackalacky® Spiced Nuts Super extra-large Virginia-type North Carolina-grown peanuts seasoned with the same fiery blend of ingredients used in Cackalacky Pepper Sauce.
• Cackalacky® Beer-B-Q® Nuts Super extra-large Virginia-type North Carolina-grown peanuts lightly sweetened with real beer and finished with Cackalacky's secret barbecue spices.
• John Deere Salted Peanuts by Cackalacky® Official John Deere licensed product featuring blister-roasted extra-large Virginia-type gourmet peanuts grown in American soil. Certified Gluten Free and Certified Kosher, 100% USA made and sourced.
• Cackalacky® Strawberry Milkshake IPA A minimally filtered India Pale Ale incorporating fresh strawberries, 2-row barley, flaked oats, white wheat, crystal 30 malts, and lactose sugar. Packaged in 12-oz retail cans at 8% ABV with 55 IBU.
• Cackalacky® Bourbon Pecan Pie Coffee Medium roast flavored coffee beans sourced from Peru, roasted in partnership with a FAIR TRADE SCA-certified coffee roaster in North Carolina.
• Cackalacky® Gourmet Dark Roast Coffee Unflavored dark roast coffee beans sourced from Honduras, locally roasted in Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Cackalacky® Beer-B-Q® Seasoning & Rub All-natural seasoning and rub inspired by the Cackalacky Beer-B-Q Nuts flavor profile, sold in a 2.3 oz jar for grilling and cooking applications.
• Cackalacky® "Mini Pig" Charcoal Grill Portable charcoal grill custom-made from an up-cycled 410a refrigerant tank with hand-welded steel construction, measuring approximately 13"x10" with a 12"x9" cooking grate.
• Cackalacky® Booze Bait® Cork & Cap Fishing Lure Eco-friendly fishing lure handmade from recycled wine corks and bottle caps with brass swivel attachment and clear tackle box-friendly packaging.
• Cackalacky® Guitar Pedal (Pepper Sauces Preamp Boost Overdrive) Audio guitar pedal branded with the Cackalacky Pepper Sauce theme.
• Cackalacky® Gear (Apparel & Merchandise Line) Official Cackalacky brand apparel and merchandise line including T-shirts, hats, aprons, stickers, patches, baby onesies, and various lifestyle accessories for consumers and gift purchasers.
• Cackalacky® BBQ Shack Concession Stand Offering Concession stand offering featuring authentic Cackalacky barbecue, operated by Aramark at four locations inside UNC's Kenan Memorial Stadium. Menu includes pulled pork sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, and snack nuts with self-serve Cackalacky condiment stations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Available at hundreds of retail locations throughout the Carolinas and Southeast
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 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

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cheerwine (Carolina Beverage Corp)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCackalacky developed the Cackalacky Cheerwine Sweet Sauce — a tomato-based grilling and BBQ sauce made with the Cheerwine soft drink formula and Cackalacky's secret spice blend. Available in 16oz jars, 1-gallon jugs, and dipping cups. Also collaborated on a Dr Pepper Sweet Squeeze product. One of the most prominent and defining co-branding partnerships for Cackalacky.
• Deere & Company (John Deere)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCackalacky produces John Deere Salted Peanuts — blister-roasted, extra-large Virginia-type peanuts with official John Deere licensing. Sold at Shop.Deere.com, Cackalacky.com, Amazon, and John Deere dealerships nationwide. Features John Deere's green and yellow color scheme and branding. Certified Gluten Free and Kosher.
• Aramark Dining ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAramark operates Cackalacky BBQ Shack concession stands at four locations inside UNC Kenan Memorial Stadium. Features pulled pork sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, and Cackalacky snack nuts with self-serve condiment stations using Cackalacky sauces and Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce.
• BiscuitvillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCackalacky Cheerwine House Dippin' Sauce is featured at Biscuitville restaurant locations, serving as a condiment offering at this regional fast-casual restaurant chain.
• Spartanburg Meat Processing Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration producing fully cooked, heat-and-serve Cackalacky Cheerwine St. Louis cut spare ribs sold in chilled meat cases at Food Lion locations.
• Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous ChickenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCackalacky collaborated with Rise Southern Biscuits on a Cackalacky Cheerwine Sauced Fried Chicken Sandwich, with a new product planned for summer release.
• Quality Foods by the SeaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNamed as one of the brand partners helping Cackalacky bring products to market.
• Burgers SmokehouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNamed as one of the brand partners helping Cackalacky bring products to market.
• North Carolina Tar Heels (Athletics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCackalacky is a proud supporter of Carolina Athletics. Sponsorship relationship that includes the Carolina Tar Heels BBQ Sauce licensing, Cackalacky BBQ Shack concession operations, and direct sponsorship funding academic scholarships and athletic programs.
• CORA Food PantryminorOthersCackalacky supports CORA Food Pantry as part of its charitable giving program, 'paying it forward' to the community.
• Chatham Arts CouncilminorOthersCackalacky supports the Chatham Arts Council as part of its charitable giving program supporting local arts in North Carolina.
• Chatham LiteracyminorOthersCackalacky supports Chatham Literacy as part of its charitable giving program.
• United Way of Chatham County NCminorOthersCackalacky supports United Way of Chatham County NC as part of its community giving program.
• WUNC North Carolina Public RadiominorOthersCackalacky supports WUNC 91.5 FM public radio as part of its community giving program.
• The Wounded Warriors Abilities RanchminorOthersCackalacky supports The Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch as part of its charitable giving program.
• Historic North Carolina Transportation MuseumminorOthersThe Cackalacky Model Railroad is housed within the Gift Station at the Historic NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC. Donated by the company's founders, the custom-built overhead G scale train is the largest of its kind in North Carolina.
• Retail Distribution Partners (Costco, Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Publix, Lowes Foods, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Piggly Wiggly)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor retail chains distributing Cackalacky products throughout the Carolinas and Southeast. Costco carries the 1-liter Cheerwine Sweet Squeeze at select locations in NC and FL. Multiple chains offer Cackalacky through their loyalty/rewards programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cackalacky
• Instagraminstagram.com/cackalacky
• Xx.com/Cackalacky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cackalacky

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Cackalacky