What Beehive Cheese does

Beehive Cheese Company, BLLC is a family-owned artisan cheese manufacturer founded in 2005 in Northern Utah by Pat Ford and Tim Welsh, two brothers-in-law who started with eight days of cheesemaking experience and trained with experts at the Western Dairy Center and Utah State University. The company pioneered the rubbed-rind technique for flavored artisan cheddar — applying dry rubs (espresso and lavender, honey and salt, Earl Grey tea, Cajun spices, porcini, black truffle, and others) to the exterior of cheese wheels — a technique novel enough that the American Cheese Society created a new award category specifically for rubbed-rind cheeses. The core product portfolio comprises eleven hand-crafted cheddar cheeses made from pasteurized Jersey cow milk sourced from Gossner Foods, including the flagship Barely Buzzed, the mother cheese Promontory, Queen Bee Porcini, Seahive, Red Butte Hatch Chile, Apple Walnut Smoked (cold-smoked), Big John's Cajun, the Basil Hayden bourbon-infused Pour Me A Slice, Teahive, Trufflehive, and the newest Bee-Chive. Complementing the cheeses are three gift box collections (Family of Cheese, Extended Family, Full Collection), two fondue kits (Spicy and Alpine), a corporate gifting program, and add-on bundles. The company has won over 130 major awards since 2007 and became B Corp certified in 2022, placing it among only seven U.S. artisan cheesemakers (of approximately 1,000 nationwide) to earn this designation.

Beehive generates revenue through four primary streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via its Shopify storefront (per-unit and gift box pricing from approximately $29.75 for a quarter wheel on sale up to $112.99 for the Family of Cheese collection, with free shipping over $75); wholesale distribution through a national network of large and small distributors plus an online wholesale channel on Faire; corporate gifting with minimum 10-unit orders and volume discounts at 30+ units; and a single retail storefront at The Mercantile in Ogden, Utah. Customer segments span artisan cheese enthusiasts (primary), wholesale and food service buyers, and B2B corporate gifting clients. The company is structured as a Utah Benefit LLC with no external institutional investment; ownership remains with the Ford and Welsh families, with Britton Welsh serving as President and Oliver Ford as National Sales Manager.

The business operates a dual-state production model: cheese wheels are made at Gossner Foods' creamery in Heyburn, Idaho (since 2024, to accommodate growth), then shipped to Beehive's Utah facility for aging and the application of signature rubbed rinds. In 2024 the company also upgraded from a single vat to a double vat system. Distribution is U.S.-only (international, military bases, and PO boxes excluded). Marketing is executed through an organic-content engine — a recipe blog, social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X), an email newsletter, cheesemonger education materials, industry events, and earned media — layered with the B Corp certification and 130+ award narrative. Strategic partnerships underpin key products: Gossner Foods (co-manufacturing and milk supply), Basil Hayden/Sazerac (Pour Me A Slice), Slide Ridge Honey (Seahive rub), Redmond Real Salt (Seahive rub), Sweet Grass Dairy (Lil'Moo collaboration), and Harmons (Red Butte Hatch Chile co-creation).

Name

Beehive Cheese

Legal name

Beehive Cheese Company, BLLC

Website

https://beehivecheese.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Beehive Cheese Company is a family-owned artisan cheese manufacturer founded in 2005 in Northern Utah, producing hand-crafted rubbed-rind cheddar cheeses sold through DTC e-commerce, national wholesale, corporate gifting, and a Utah retail storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Morgan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Cheese Sales: Beehive sells individual cheese wedges, quarter wheels, gift boxes, and fondue kits directly to consumers through its e-commerce website. Consumers order online with per-unit or package pricing; the company ships directly with ice packs. Free shipping on orders over $75.
2. Wholesale & Distribution: Beehive sells to wholesale customers (cheese shops, grocers, restaurants) via both distributors and direct wholesale, offering 5-lb quarter wheels and cases of 4-oz wedges in increments of 10. Online wholesale managed through Faire.
3. Corporate Gifting: Beehive offers curated corporate gift boxes (Savory Sampler, Sweet Treat Gift, Savory Charcuterie Gift) to B2B customers at volume discounts (minimum 10 gifts, additional break at 30+ units). Managed through dedicated B2B contact.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Beehive Cheese manufactures and sells hand-crafted artisan cheddar cheeses using a proprietary rubbed-rind technique, where dry flavor rubs are applied to the exterior of aged cheese wheels. The portfolio spans 11+ cheese varieties (Barely Buzzed, Seahive, Red Butte Hatch Chile, Promontory, Apple Walnut Smoked, Big John's Cajun, Pour Me A Slice, Queen Bee Porcini, Teahive, Trufflehive, Bee-Chive), plus gift boxes, fondue kits, and corporate gifting bundles, sold via DTC e-commerce, wholesale distribution, and dedicated B2B gifting.

Product overview

Beehive Cheese is a family-owned artisan cheese company founded in 2005 in Northern Utah, specializing in hand-crafted cheddar cheeses with unique rubbed-rind flavors. Their core portfolio consists of eleven distinct cheese varieties including Barely Buzzed (espresso and lavender), Seahive (honey and salt), Red Butte Hatch Chile, Promontory (their 'mother cheese'), Apple Walnut Smoked, Big John's Cajun, Pour Me A Slice (bourbon-infused), Queen Bee Porcini, Teahive, Trufflehive, and Bee-Chive. They offer complementary products including fondue kits (Spicy and Alpine varieties), curated gift boxes (Family, Extended Family, and Full Collection), and corporate gifting options. The company operates as a B Corp certified Benefit LLC (BLLC) and has won over 130 major awards for their artisan cheeses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Barely Buzzed Signature award-winning artisan cheddar rubbed with espresso and lavender, featuring notes of butterscotch, caramel, and nutty flavors with a creamy texture. The cornerstone of Beehive's portfolio and seven-time Best Flavored Cheddar in America.
• Seahive Utah cheddar rubbed with Redmond Real Salt and raw wildflower honey (from Slide Ridge Honey bees kept on Beehive's Morgan County land). Features a sweet and creamy profile with signature pinkish hue from ancient salt deposit.
• Red Butte Hatch Chile Cheddar tumbled with New Mexico Hatch Chiles, featuring creamy texture with Hatch Chile peppery and meaty flavors. Co-created with Harmons Neighborhood Grocer and now Beehive's second-best-selling cheese.
• Promontory The 'mother cheese' base for all award-winning rubbed-rind cheeses, made with Jersey Cow's milk and named after Promontory Summit where the Transcontinental Railroad was completed. Now produced at Gossner Foods creamery in Heyburn, Idaho and finished in Utah.
• Apple Walnut Smoked Cheddar cold smoked with apple slices and walnut wood, featuring balanced smoke and toasted flavors, excellent for melting on burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Big John's Cajun Cheddar rubbed with Cajun spices created by local chef John Dearmin, featuring garlicky and spicy flavors with medium punch of heat.
• Pour Me A Slice Cheddar infused with Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, featuring sweet caramel and whiskey notes from the bourbon rind infusion. Created in partnership with Basil Hayden / Sazerac Company in 2019.
• Queen Bee Porcini Savory cheddar rubbed with dried and crushed porcini mushrooms, featuring earthy and umami flavors. Won Super Gold (Best American Cheese) at the 2021–22 World Cheese Awards in Spain.
• Teahive Cheddar rubbed with Earl Grey tea featuring bergamot citrus notes, inspired by a trip through Portuguese citrus groves, with herbal and fruity flavor profile.
• Trufflehive Limited edition cheddar with black truffle carpaccio, honey, and truffle salt rub. Features savory nose with earthy tones and mushroom finish.
• Bee-Chive Newest rubbed-rind cheddar featuring chives and garlic, described as savory and tangy with bright onion and garlic notes that linger. Available in 2/12-oz wedges and 5-lb quarter wheels.
• Family of Cheese Six-cheese curated gift collection including Barely Buzzed, Seahive, Red Butte Hatch Chile, Promontory, Apple Walnut Smoked, and Pour Me A Slice. Available in 12-oz or 4-oz cuts.
• Extended Family of Cheese Eight-cheese collection including all Family of Cheese varieties plus Teahive and Big John's Cajun, plus a Beehive orange cheese knife.
• Full Collection Complete nine-cheese collection including all award-winning rubbed-rind cheeses: Barely Buzzed, Queen Bee Porcini, Seahive, Red Butte Hatch Chile, Apple Walnut Smoked, Pour Me A Slice, Teahive, Big John's Cajun, and Promontory. The Full Collection has collectively won 94 major awards since 2007.
• Spicy Fondue Kit Fondue kit featuring cow's milk Swiss and Hatch Chile Cheddar, all-natural with no preservatives. 12 oz size, gluten-friendly, ready in 10 minutes with added simmering liquid.
• Alpine Fondue Kit Fondue kit featuring cow's milk Swiss and Promontory Cheddar with hints of garlic, nutmeg, and warm fermented pepper. 12 oz size, gluten-friendly, all-natural ingredients.
• The Gourmet Trio Curated bundle featuring Rustic Bakery Organic Sourdough Flatbread, Cremienlli Casalingo Mild Italian Salami, and Slide Ridge Raw Honey. Pairs with Beehive's bold rubbed-rind cheeses.
• Savory Sampler (Corporate Gift) Corporate gift containing six 4-oz cheese wedges, artisan crackers, and honey. Minimum order of 10 gifts. Pricing $59.99/unit (10-29) and $53.99/unit (30+). Dedicated B2B support via Avery Ford.
• Sweet Treat Gift (Corporate Gift) Corporate gift with four 12-oz cheese wedges, Sierra Nevada Cream Cheese, Slide Ridge Honey, and Pepperlane Jalapeno Preserve. Minimum order of 10 gifts; custom recipient cards with company logos.
• Savory Charcuterie Gift (Corporate Gift) Corporate gift featuring Apple Walnut Smoked, Trufflehive, Queen Bee Porcini, Sweet Grass Dairy Pimento Cheese, Italian Olives, and salami. Volume pricing for 10-29 and 30+ units.
• Wholesale Program Wholesale distribution program offering 5-lb quarter wheels and cases of 4-oz wedges (in increments of 10) to cheese shops, gourmet grocers, and food service operators via national distributors, direct wholesale, and the Faire marketplace.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of only 7 U.S. artisan cheesemakers to become B Corp Certified (out of ~1,000 nationwide)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Basil Hayden (Sazerac Company)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019In 2019, Beehive Cheese teamed up with Basil Hayden to create Pour Me A Slice, an artfully aged cheddar infused with Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The collaboration produced a signature cheese product that has won multiple awards. This is a flagship branded partnership.
• Gossner FoodscoreOthersLong-standing partnership with Gossner Foods, a respected family-run dairy known for high-quality Jersey cow milk. In 2024, Beehive shifted production of Promontory and cheese wheel making into Gossner's creamery located in Heyburn, Idaho, while cheese aging and finishing (rubbed rinds) remains in Utah. This is a critical supply chain and co-manufacturing partnership.
• Slide Ridge HoneycoreTechnology or IntegrationSlide Ridge Honey is a local Utah producer that keeps bees on Beehive Cheese's undeveloped land in Morgan County, Utah. Their raw, unfiltered honey is used in the Seahive cheese rub. This partnership creates a unique local terroir-driven product.
• Harmons Neighborhood GrocerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHarmons co-created Red Butte Hatch Chile with Beehive Cheese during Hatch Chile season. The cheese was so successful that Harmons suggested making it available to all consumers, leading to its national rollout as Beehive's second-best-selling cheese.
• Sweet Grass DairyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSweet Grass Dairy collaborated with Beehive Cheese on a Lil'Moo Garlic and Chive Spread, which is featured in Seahive recipes and sold alongside Beehive products in gift boxes and pairings.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cowgirl Creamery: California artisan cheesemaker with national wholesale and DTC channels, recently merged with Straus Family Creamery. Directly comparable to Beehive in craft positioning, cheese-monger/wholesale distribution, and DTC gifting programs.
• Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company: California farmstead artisan cheesemaker with national wholesale and DTC distribution. Comparable to Beehive in artisan positioning, premium pricing, restaurant/cheese-monger channel coverage, and farm-to-table brand storytelling.
• Vermont Creamery: B Corp certified (since 2014) artisan creamery producing fresh and aged cheeses plus cultured butters with national distribution. Closest peer to Beehive on the B Corp + artisan cheese intersection, with comparable premium-channel positioning.
• Maytag Dairy Farms: Iowa-based family-owned artisan cheese producer famous for Maytag Blue, with strong foodservice and specialty retail presence. Comparable to Beehive in family-owned heritage, single-origin craft production, and award-driven brand reputation.
• Cypress Grove Chevre: California-based artisan goat and cow's milk cheesemaker with broad national wholesale distribution. Comparable to Beehive in artisan positioning, specialty/cheese-monger channel focus, and premium gift/specialty program offerings.
• Jasper Hill Farm: Vermont-based artisan cheesemaker specializing in raw-milk, cave-aged cheeses with national distribution and strong award record. Closest peer to Beehive in terms of craft-artisan positioning, distribution scale, and award-driven premium branding in American specialty cheese.
• Rogue Creamery: Oregon-based artisan cheddar and blue cheese maker, internationally award-winning (World Cheese Awards champion for Rogue River Blue). Comparable to Beehive in craft-artisan positioning, export orientation, and single-origin cheddar focus.

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Creamery Co-operative: Large Vermont/New England dairy co-op producing award-winning cheddars with national grocery and foodservice distribution. Comparable to Beehive in aged-cheddar category leadership and award reputation, but operates at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• BelGioioso Cheese Company: Wisconsin-based specialty Italian and American cheesemaker with broad national foodservice and retail distribution. Comparable to Beehive in aged-cheese focus and broad retail presence, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Tillamook County Creamery Association: Farmer-owned Oregon dairy co-op producing nationally distributed cheddar with strong consumer brand recognition. Comparable to Beehive in cheddar focus, farmer-owned structure, and U.S. regional origin story, but at mass-market scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/beehivecheese
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BeehiveCheese
• Facebookfacebook.com/BeehiveCheese
• Instagraminstagram.com/beehivecheese
• TikToktiktok.com/@beehivecheese

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Beehive Cheese