Boursin
Boursin is a French flavored soft cheese brand founded in 1957 and owned by Fromagerie Bel SA, selling Garlic & Herbs, Black Pepper, Truffle, Blue Cheese, Plant-Based, and portioned variants through major supermarket and online grocery chains in over 35 countries, primarily targeting home cooks and entertainers seeking premium, ready-to-use cheese.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1957
- HeadquartersSevenoaks, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Boursin does
Boursin is a French branded soft cheese business owned by Fromagerie Bel SA, founded in 1957 by François Boursin in Croisy-sur-Eure, Normandy. The brand's signature product, Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese, was developed in 1963 following public demand prompted by a newspaper misreport, and Boursin subsequently expanded into Black Pepper, Truffle, Blue Cheese Flavour, Plant-Based Garlic & Herbs, Velvety Garlic & Herbs, and pre-portioned formats. The underlying technology is soft-cheese manufacturing with proprietary herb, spice, and flavor infusion recipes, and the brand is protected by a registered trademark held by Fromagerie Bel SA.
Boursin sells its products through major retail grocery channels in more than 35 countries across five continents. In the UK — operated by Bel UK Ltd (registered office in Sevenoaks, company number 00886813) — products are available in ASDA, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Co-op, Waitrose, and online via Ocado. Marketing is primarily organic, consisting of recipe content, social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) under the #BOURSINCHEESE hashtag, and email newsletters, targeting UK home cooks and entertainers who value premium, ready-to-use flavored cheese for cheeseboards, recipes, and social occasions.
The revenue model is one-time consumer purchase of branded cheese SKUs at standard grocery pricing via supermarket and online grocery channels; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The company does not disclose revenue or headcount figures, and its strategic positioning is as a premium, heritage-flavored soft cheese brand within Fromagerie Bel SA's broader portfolio, leveraging the iconic 1972 'Bread, wine, Boursin' advertising slogan and 50+ years of brand equity to maintain distribution and pricing power in retail cheese aisles.
Boursin firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Boursin
- Legal name
- Bel UK Ltd
- Website
- https://boursin.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1957
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Boursin is a French flavored soft cheese brand founded in 1957 and owned by Fromagerie Bel SA, selling Garlic & Herbs, Black Pepper, Truffle, Blue Cheese, Plant-Based, and portioned variants through major supermarket and online grocery chains in over 35 countries, primarily targeting home cooks and entertainers seeking premium, ready-to-use cheese.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Boursin industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Cheese
- SIC
- Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft) (AFAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAL)
Keywords
Where Boursin is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sevenoaks
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Boursin business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Cheese Product Sales: Boursin generates revenue through the sale of its flavored soft cheese products via retail grocery chains and supermarkets across 35 countries. Products include Garlic & Herbs, Black Pepper, Truffle, Blue Cheese Flavour, Plant-Based, and Portions variants.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Boursin product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Boursin manufactures and sells branded flavored soft cheese products, including Garlic & Herbs, Black Pepper, Truffle, Blue Cheese Flavour, Plant-Based, and Velvety variants, as well as portioned formats. Products are sold to individual consumers through major UK retail grocery chains and online grocery platforms, with the brand extending to more than 35 countries worldwide under parent company Fromagerie Bel SA.
Product overview
Boursin is a brand of soft cheese produced by Fromagerie Bel SA, offering a range of flavored cheese products. The core product lineup includes the original Garlic & Herbs cheese and Black Pepper variety, with premium variants such as Boursin Truffle and Boursin Blue Cheese Flavour. The brand has expanded to include plant-based options (Plant-Based Garlic & Herbs) and convenience formats (Garlic & Herbs Portions), as well as a smoother texture variant (Velvety Garlic & Herbs). All products feature a creamy, crumbly texture characteristic of the Boursin brand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Garlic & Herbs: The original Boursin flavor - authentic soft cheese with garlic and herbs.
- Black Pepper
- Boursin Truffle
- Boursin Blue Cheese Flavour
- Plant-Based Garlic & Herbs
- Velvety Garlic & Herbs
Products and services
- Garlic & Herbs The original Boursin cheese flavor combining garlic and fine herbs with a creamy, crumbly texture. Targeted at consumers seeking a ready-to-use flavored soft cheese for spreading, cheeseboards, and recipes.
- Black Pepper Boursin soft cheese flavored with black pepper, offering a sharp, savory taste. Targeted at consumers who want a pepper-forward flavored cheese for spreading and cooking.
- Boursin Truffle A premium Boursin variety infused with truffle flavor. Targeted at consumers seeking a luxurious flavored soft cheese for entertaining and special-occasion cheeseboards.
- Boursin Blue Cheese Flavour Boursin soft cheese with blue cheese flavor, providing a mild, creamy twist on classic blue cheese. Targeted at consumers who want a milder, creamier alternative to traditional blue cheese.
- Plant-Based Garlic & Herbs A dairy-free, plant-based version of the classic Garlic & Herbs Boursin, made with plant-based ingredients. Targeted at consumers seeking a dairy-free alternative that retains the brand's signature flavor.
- Garlic & Herbs Portions Pre-portioned Garlic & Herbs Boursin cheese for easy serving and snacking. Targeted at consumers who want single-serve, convenient portions for lunches, snacks, and on-the-go eating.
- Velvety Garlic & Herbs A smoother, creamier, and more dippable version of the classic Garlic & Herbs Boursin. Targeted at consumers seeking a softer texture suited to dipping and spreading.
Companies that use Boursin
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Boursin technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Boursin partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Boursin competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Saint Agur (Savencia): Saint Agur is a French blue cheese brand by Savencia, comparable to Boursin as a premium French-origin specialty cheese sold in UK supermarkets, often appearing on the same cheeseboard occasion.
- Alouette (Savencia Fromage & Dairy): Alouette is a French-origin flavored soft cheese spread brand owned by Savencia, directly comparable to Boursin in product format (flavored spreadable cheese), French heritage positioning, and premium specialty-cheese retail channel.
- Philadelphia (Kraft Heinz / Mondelēz): Philadelphia is the leading branded cream cheese globally and a direct competitor in the flavored soft cheese / cream cheese spread category in UK retail, occupying the same shelf space and consumer occasion as Boursin.
- Président (Lactalis): Président is a flagship French cheese brand from Lactalis covering soft cheeses, butter, and specialty formats, directly comparable to Boursin in French-cheese heritage, premium retail positioning, and broad UK / European grocery distribution.
- Ilchester Cheese: Ilchester is a UK-based specialty cheese brand offering flavored soft cheeses and cheeseboards. It is comparable to Boursin in targeting UK consumers with premium, flavored specialty cheeses via supermarket retail.
Emerging players
- Violife (Upfield): Violife is a leading plant-based cheese alternative brand. It is comparable to Boursin as a competing option in the same UK supermarket cheese fixture, targeting the same consumer occasions from a dairy-free angle and pressuring dairy cheese share.
Broad incumbents
- Castello (Arla Foods): Castello is Arla's premium specialty cheese range covering soft and flavored varieties. It is comparable to Boursin in the premium specialty cheese segment and competes for cheeseboard occasion share in UK and European retail.
- La Vache qui rit / The Laughing Cow (Bel Group): The Laughing Cow is Bel Group's flagship processed cheese brand and a sister brand to Boursin within the same parent company. It competes for the same cheeseboard and snacking occasions in UK retail via a different format (processed cheese wedges vs. soft flavored cheese).
- Babybel (Bel Group): Mini Babybel is another Bel Group brand, also distributed across the same UK grocery channel as Boursin. It is comparable as a Bel Group premium cheese brand competing for similar entertaining and snacking occasions, though via a wax-coated portion format.
Regional players
- Tre Stelle (Arla Foods): Tre Stelle is a specialty cheese brand focused on soft and specialty formats, comparable to Boursin's premium soft cheese positioning, though it operates primarily in North America rather than the UK / European market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Boursin social profiles
Digital presenceBoursin financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Boursin leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Boursin funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Boursin 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 Boursin
What does Boursin do?
Boursin manufactures and sells branded flavored soft cheese products, including Garlic & Herbs, Black Pepper, Truffle, Blue Cheese Flavour, Plant-Based, and Velvety variants, as well as portioned formats. Products are sold to individual consumers through major UK retail grocery chains and online grocery platforms, with the brand extending to more than 35 countries worldwide under parent company Fromagerie Bel SA.
Is Boursin a public or private company?
Boursin is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Boursin founded?
Boursin was founded in 1957. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Boursin based?
Boursin is headquartered in Sevenoaks, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Boursin make money?
One revenue line is on record: cheese Product Sales.
Who are Boursin's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Saint Agur (Savencia), Alouette (Savencia Fromage & Dairy), Philadelphia (Kraft Heinz / Mondelēz), Président (Lactalis) and Ilchester Cheese. Violife (Upfield) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Castello (Arla Foods), La Vache qui rit / The Laughing Cow (Bel Group) and Babybel (Bel Group). Tre Stelle (Arla Foods) is listed as a regional player.
Does Boursin have an API?
No public API is recorded for Boursin.
What industry is Boursin in?
Boursin's product category is Specialty Cheese. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAHABAA, Fresh/Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Unripened & Soft), with a secondary code of AFAKAKAL, Dairy Spreads, Dips & Cream Cheese Manufacturing. Its SIC code is 2020.