Phillips Foods
Phillips Foods is a fourth-generation, family-owned seafood company founded in 1914 that produces, processes, and distributes premium crab cakes, crab meat, lobster products, and seafood appetizers through grocery retail, foodservice distribution, company-owned restaurants, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1914
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Phillips Foods does
Phillips Foods is a fourth-generation, family-owned seafood company founded in 1914 in Maryland and headquartered in Baltimore. The company operates across four revenue channels: grocery retail (frozen and refrigerated crab cakes, crab meat, lobster products, appetizers, soups, and sauces sold through major grocery chains nationwide), foodservice distribution (wholesale supply to restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and catering operators), company-owned restaurants (Phillips Seafood in Baltimore Inner Harbor and Atlantic City, Phillips Crab Deck in Baltimore, and Phillips Crab House in Ocean City, MD), and direct-to-consumer e-commerce (overnight shipping via phillipsseafood.com).
The company's core technology centers on pasteurization and flash-freezing processing applied to wild-caught seafood, achieving an 18-month shelf life for pasteurized crab and lobster products while preserving flavor and texture. Blue swimming crab is sourced from Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) under sustainable fishing partnerships; cold-water North Atlantic lobster is sourced for the premium lobster line. The company holds the #1 selling frozen crab cake brand position in the US, anchored by Shirley Phillips' original 1956 Maryland-style crab cake recipe.
The business model is asset-intensive vertically integrated seafood: catch/supply sourcing → processing (Hoopers Island, Maryland plant) → multi-channel distribution. Pricing is unit-based across all channels (e.g., $129/dozen for premium crab cakes DTC, $5 retail for the Waterman's Reserve value line, $7.99–$8.99 for 2019 millennial-targeted launches). The company is privately held with no external funding rounds disclosed; trademarks are held through SB Phillips LLC and Phillips Seafood – Atlantic City LLC. Leadership includes founder Steve Phillips, CEO Brice Phillips (appointed 2025, fourth generation), and President/COO Dean Flowers (35-year veteran). Phillips holds leadership positions in the National Fisheries Institute Crab Council, with Brice Phillips elected Chairman in December 2018.
Phillips Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Phillips Foods
- Legal name
- Phillips Foods, Inc.
- Website
- https://phillipsfoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1914
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Phillips Foods is a fourth-generation, family-owned seafood company founded in 1914 that produces, processes, and distributes premium crab cakes, crab meat, lobster products, and seafood appetizers through grocery retail, foodservice distribution, company-owned restaurants, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Phillips Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Seafood Products
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446), Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers (42442)
- SIC
- Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Frozen Seafood Meals & Value-Added Seafood (CRADADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Breaded/Battered & Fried Seafood Products (Frozen Convenience) (AFANADAH), Frozen Meal Kits & Skillet Bags (CRADADAK), Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI)
Keywords
Where Phillips Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Phillips Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Restaurant Dining: Company-owned and operated seafood restaurants serving crab cakes, Chesapeake Bay seafood, and related dishes. Includes locations in Baltimore (Inner Harbor), Atlantic City, and Ocean City.
- Grocery/Retail Products: Frozen and refrigerated seafood products sold through grocery retail chains nationwide. Products include crab cakes, lobster products, appetizers, soups, and sauces under Phillips brand.
- Foodservice Distribution: Wholesale products for foodservice operators including restaurants, hotels, and catering companies. Products designed for professional chefs and restaurant operators.
- Direct-to-Consumer Shipping: Online ordering with overnight shipping of premium seafood products directly to consumer doors. Products include crab cakes by the dozen, crab meat in all grades, sauces, and gift cards.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Crab Cakes - Online Shipping |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | New Product Line Launch (2019) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Phillips Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Phillips Foods is a family-owned seafood company founded in 1914 that manufactures and distributes premium seafood products, primarily crab cakes and crab meat, under the Phillips brand. The company sells its products through grocery retail, foodservice distribution to restaurants and hotels, company-owned seafood restaurants, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce shipping. Its portfolio includes pasteurized crab and lobster meat, Maryland-style crab cakes, seafood appetizers, soups, sauces, and Asian-inspired seafood items.
Product overview
Phillips Foods is a family-owned seafood company founded in 1914, offering a diversified portfolio of premium seafood products. The core product line centers on crab meat (Jumbo Lump, Lump, and Special grades) sourced from blue swimming crabs, and their signature Maryland-style and Boardwalk crab cakes. The portfolio expands into premium lobster products including Lobster Claw & Knuckle Meat, Lobster Cake Minis, and Lobster Crostini. Appetizer offerings include Chesapeake Crab Dip, Cajun Seafood Dip, and Salt & Pepper Calamari. Supporting products include complementary sauces (Tartar Sauce, Cocktail Sauce) and Seafood Seasoning. Recent expansions include Shrimp Potstickers, Seafood Flatbreads, Seafood Pastas, Tuna Meatballs, and the value-priced Waterman's Reserve meal line. The company operates restaurant locations alongside its retail grocery business.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Waterman's Reserve: Value-driven meal line priced at approximately $5 retail.
- Street Carts
Products and services
- Maryland Style Crab Cakes Based on original restaurant recipe from Shirley Phillips, packed with premium wild-caught crab meat in creamy base of mayonnaise, breadcrumbs and Worcestershire sauce. Recognized as the #1 selling frozen crab cake in the US.
- Boardwalk Crab Cakes Made with premium wild-caught claw crab meat in savory blend of breadcrumbs, onions, peppers and exclusive seasonings. Value-driven Maryland-style option.
- Jumbo Lump Crab Meat Prized for impressive size, bright white color, and exquisite taste. Consists of two large muscles connected to the fins of blue swimming crabs. Best for upscale recipes like crab imperial and crab cocktails.
- Lump Crab Meat Blend of broken pieces of jumbo lump and special crab meat. Suitable for crab cakes, dips, salads, casseroles, and stuffing fish, chicken, vegetables, or seafood.
- Special Crab Meat Most versatile grade consisting of smaller pieces of white meat from the body of blue swimming crabs. Ideal for crab cakes, salads, quesadillas, wraps, soups, and crab balls.
- Lobster Claw & Knuckle Meat Hand-picked from claws and knuckles of fresh wild-caught cold water North Atlantic lobsters. Pasteurized for premium quality and safety, with 18-month shelf life. Sweet delicate flavor with firm texture.
- Lobster Cake Minis Handmade bite-sized minis loaded with premium wild-caught North Atlantic lobster meat in creamy base with mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, egg, lemon, and seasonings. Cooks from frozen or thawed.
- Lobster Crostini Succulent lobster meat blended with rich cream cheese and seasoned with garlic and chives, topped with Pepper Jack cheese on crispy bread slices.
- Chesapeake Crab Dip Classic Maryland Eastern Shore dip featuring premium Phillips crab meat in creamy base of sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise with Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses.
- Cajun Seafood Dip Hearty spicy Cajun flavors featuring bell pepper, onion and celery with Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses in cream cheese and sour cream base. Loaded with squid, octopus, clams, shrimp and crab.
- Salt & Pepper Calamari Popular restaurant appetizer for home baking. Tender calamari seasoned with salt and pepper, lightly dusted with oven-ready breading. Includes sweet and spicy chili sauce for dipping.
- Tartar Sauce Classic creamy blend of mayonnaise, chopped pickles and lemon. Traditionally served with crab cakes and fish.
- Cocktail Sauce Classic seaside recipe blending ketchup, horseradish, vinegar, and herbs and spices. Served in Phillips Seafood Restaurants for over 50 years.
- Seafood Seasoning Same seasoning blend used in Phillips Seafood Restaurants. Designed for hard shell crabs, steamed shrimp, crab cakes, seafood salads, and grilled fish.
- Shrimp Potstickers Asian-inspired potstickers with tender shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, cabbage and glass noodles wrapped in crisp wheat pastry wrapper. Handmade with pleated pastry wrapper, free from artificial flavorings, colorings, sweeteners and preservatives. Available in (12) 12.8 oz. boxes per case with two-year frozen shelf life.
- Seafood Flatbreads Restaurant-inspired bake & serve flatbreads including Clam Oreganata and Sriracha Shrimp varieties. Handmade with premium seafood and chef-crafted recipes, meal for one or shareable appetizer. Flash-frozen, available in (12) individually-portioned flatbreads per case, bake from frozen in under 20 minutes.
- Seafood Soups Restaurant-quality seafood soups including Seafood Cioppino, Red Curry Seafood Soup, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Cream of Crab, Maryland Style Crab Soup, New England Clam Chowder, and Lobster Bisque. Flash-frozen, ready to serve in minutes, available in (12) ten-ounce individual bowls per case with two-year frozen shelf life.
- Seafood Pastas Individually portioned pasta dishes including Seafood Marinara and Clams Alfredo. Microwave-ready meals for one. Flash-frozen to lock in flavor, available in (12) ten-ounce individual bowls per case.
- Sweet & Sour Tuna Meatballs Sicilian-style meatballs made with 100% pole and line caught Yellowfin tuna, finished with Thai-inspired sweet and sour sauce. Rated Seafood Watch Best Choice and Ocean Wise Recommended. Available in (12) 8.5 oz individual bowls per case with two-year frozen shelf life.
- Waterman's Reserve Meal Line Value-driven meal line priced at $5 retail including Waterman's Reserve Tuna Chili and Waterman's Reserve Seafood Mac & Cheese. Prep-free, ready to serve in minutes. Flash-frozen in (12) ten-ounce individual bowls per case.
- Crispy Dim Sum, Crab Rangoon, and Shrimp & Grits New value-added options including Crispy Dim Sum, Crab Rangoon, and Shrimp & Grits. Designed for millennials and foodies, with quick and easy preparation via pan-fry or bake in minutes.
- Phillips Seafood Restaurant Dining Dine-in seafood restaurant experiences at company-owned locations in Baltimore (Phillips Seafood at Inner Harbor, Phillips Crab Deck), Atlantic City, and Ocean City, featuring crab cakes, Chesapeake Bay seafood, oysters, and related dishes.
- Phillips Foodservice Distribution Wholesale seafood products for foodservice operators including restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, and catering companies. Products designed for professional chefs and restaurant operators in case packs and individually-portioned formats.
- Phillips Seafood Direct-to-Consumer Shipping Direct-to-consumer e-commerce offering overnight shipping of premium seafood products to continental US addresses. Includes crab cakes sold by the dozen (e.g., $129 per dozen for 4-ounce cakes), crab meat in all grades, sauces, and gift cards.
Quantifiable outcome
- Shelf life of 18 months for pasteurized crab and lobster products
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Phillips Foods
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Phillips Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Phillips Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- National Fisheries Institute (NFI) Crab CouncilcorePhillips Foods is a founding member company of the NFI Crab Council. Brice Phillips, Director of Club Store Sales, was elected as Chairman in December 2018. The Council, formed in 2009, is comprised of representatives from a large majority of blue swimming crab importers. Its primary goal is to ensure crab populations, ecosystems, and fishing communities remain viable. Member companies pledge $.02 per pound of crab meat sold into the U.S. and initiate Fishery Improvement Projects in crab producing countries.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Phillips Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- High Liner Foods: Broad incumbent in frozen prepared seafood across North America, offering a much larger multi-protein portfolio (cod, salmon, shrimp) sold through grocery and foodservice.
- Red Lobster: Broad seafood restaurant incumbent operating a national chain of seafood restaurants in a model that overlaps Phillips' restaurant division but on a much larger scale.
- Chicken of the Sea: Broad incumbent in shelf-stable and frozen seafood products competing in grocery channels with shared foodservice exposure.
- Trident Seafoods: Broad incumbent in frozen and canned seafood (including crab, surimi, salmon) competing for grocery and foodservice shelf space with scale advantages.
- Bumble Bee Foods: Broad incumbent in branded seafood (tuna, salmon, sardines) sold through retail grocery with much greater national distribution scale than Phillips.
Direct peers
- SeaPak: Direct peer in frozen prepared shrimp and seafood appetizers sold through grocery retail, with overlapping frozen-seafood-meal SKUs (shrimp, fish, scallops).
- Blue Star Foods: Direct peer in crab meat processing and distribution, with a similar portfolio of pasteurized crab meat products and foodservice/retail distribution in North America.
- Handy Seafood: Direct peer producing pasteurized crab meat and Maryland-style crab cakes for retail and foodservice channels with a comparable Mid-Atlantic heritage.
- King & Prince Seafood: Direct peer producing value-added seafood (shrimp, scallops, lobster-based items) for foodservice operators — paralleling Phillips' foodservice division.
Emerging players
- Lobster Anywhere: Direct-to-consumer specialty seafood shipper delivering live lobsters, crab cakes, and premium seafood overnight — directly overlapping Phillips' DTC e-commerce business.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Phillips Foods social profiles
Digital presencePhillips Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Phillips Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Phillips Foods subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Phillips Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Phillips Foods 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 Phillips Foods
What does Phillips Foods do?
Phillips Foods is a family-owned seafood company founded in 1914 that manufactures and distributes premium seafood products, primarily crab cakes and crab meat, under the Phillips brand. The company sells its products through grocery retail, foodservice distribution to restaurants and hotels, company-owned seafood restaurants, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce shipping. Its portfolio includes pasteurized crab and lobster meat, Maryland-style crab cakes, seafood appetizers, soups, sauces, and Asian-inspired seafood items.
Is Phillips Foods a public or private company?
Phillips Foods is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Phillips Foods founded?
Phillips Foods was founded in 1914. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Phillips Foods based?
Phillips Foods is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Phillips Foods make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Restaurant Dining is the primary driver. The others are grocery/Retail Products, foodservice Distribution and direct-to-Consumer Shipping.
Who are Phillips Foods's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are High Liner Foods, Red Lobster, Chicken of the Sea, Trident Seafoods and Bumble Bee Foods. Direct peers are SeaPak, Blue Star Foods, Handy Seafood and King & Prince Seafood. Lobster Anywhere is listed as an emerging player.
Does Phillips Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Phillips Foods.
What industry is Phillips Foods in?
Phillips Foods's product category is Seafood Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADADAG, Frozen Seafood Meals & Value-Added Seafood, with a secondary code of AFANADAH, Breaded/Battered & Fried Seafood Products (Frozen Convenience). Its NAICS code is 31171 and its SIC code is 2092.