What Cactus Corn does

Cactus Corn is a family-owned, handcrafted gourmet popcorn company founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1998 by Mike and Sharon Levandowski, now operated by the second generation under Chris Levandowski. The company produces small-batch popcorn in 8-pound copper kettles at a single Phoenix facility, shipping nationwide directly to consumers via a Shopify storefront and selling wholesale to gift shops, museum stores, national/state park stores, hotels, resorts, grocery retailers (including AJ's Fine Foods), and Sky Harbor Airport through the Faire marketplace. The product line comprises six Southwest-inspired craft flavors (Original Kettle Corn, Prickly Pear, White Cheddar Jalapeño, Roasted Street Corn, Sweet Butter Caramel, Happy Birthday Cake) sold as single bags, 3/6/12-pack variety boxes, the $30/month Popcorn of the Month subscription, and 19 collectible Arizona-themed gift tins priced from $29.99 to $49.99. Custom branded bags (minimum 50 units) and tins (minimum 25) support a corporate gifting program.

Cactus Corn monetizes through six distinct revenue streams: direct e-commerce sales, recurring subscription, wholesale distribution (47-60% retailer margins), corporate gifting with in-house custom printing, event catering (food truck/trailer/tent at $8-$12 per person), and a fundraising program (Cactus Corn Cares) that has returned $150,000+ to Arizona schools. The company holds long-tenured concession partnerships at Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks, since 1998, with 1M+ cumulative bags sold) and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals, 25,000+ bags in the 2025 NFL season), and operates a mobile event-catering business serving corporate events, weddings, festivals, school carnivals, sporting events, and fundraisers across the Phoenix metro and statewide. Distribution and fulfillment tooling is conventional commerce software (Shopify, Seal Subscriptions, StoreRocket, UPS, FedEx, Faire) with no proprietary technology platform beyond the handcrafted kettle production method. The company remains independently owned with no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

Cactus Corn

Legal name

Cactus Corn Events LLC

Website

https://cactuscorn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cactus Corn is a family-owned Phoenix popcorn maker producing handcrafted, Southwest-flavored gourmet popcorn since 1998, selling direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and through stadium concessions at Chase Field and State Farm Stadium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gourmet Popcorn

NAICS

Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)

akta.pro primary industry

Popcorn & Puffed Snacks (CRADABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Popcorn Manufacturing (AFAKAIAC), Gourmet Popcorn & Caramel Corn Shops (THAFAGAM)

Keywords

• Handcrafted gourmet popcorn
• Small batch kettle corn
• Southwest flavored popcorn
• Corporate gift tins
• Event catering concessions

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Online sales through Shopify store including individual bags ($17.97+), multi-packs (3/6/12), gift tins ($29.99-$49.99), and Popcorn of the Month subscription ($30/month). Products shipped nationwide from Phoenix facility.
2. Subscription (Popcorn of the Month Club): Monthly subscription service delivering 3 bags of fresh popcorn on the 15th of each month. Subscribers choose flavor profiles (Southwest Trio, Savory, Sweet, Traditional) and receive 10% off everything else. Month-to-month or prepaid 3/6/12 month plans.
3. Event Catering & Concessions: Food truck, trailer, and tent rental for events with staffing included. Package pricing per person ($8-$12). Permanent concession stands at Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks) and State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals). Pop N Go pre-packaged pickup/delivery option.
4. Corporate Gifting: Custom branded popcorn bags, gift tins, and promotional products for corporate clients. Volume pricing from 50 bags with custom labels, branded lids from 25 tins. Corporate pricing improves at 100 and 250 unit thresholds.
5. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale pricing to retail accounts: $3.19/bag (12-pack case), $26.49/tin (6-pack case). Retailers achieve 47-60% gross margins. Sold through gift shops, museum stores, visitor centers, hotels, grocery stores, cafes, and restaurants. Available on Faire marketplace.
6. Fundraising Program: Schools, sports teams, and nonprofits sell Cactus Corn products with up to 50% profit going to their organization. No upfront cost, product delivered fresh. Supports Arizona communities with over $150,000 returned to schools historically.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cactus Corn handcrafts small-batch gourmet popcorn in 8-pound copper kettles at its Phoenix, Arizona kitchen, producing six Southwest-inspired flavors (Prickly Pear Kettle, Roasted Street Corn, White Cheddar Jalapeño, Original Kettle Corn, Sweet Butter Caramel, Happy Birthday Cake). Products are sold direct-to-consumer via a Shopify storefront and Popcorn of the Month subscription, and to businesses through wholesale, custom-branded corporate gifting, event catering, venue concessions, and a fundraising program.

Product overview

Cactus Corn is a family-owned gourmet popcorn company based in Phoenix, Arizona, operating since 1998. The company offers a portfolio of handcrafted popcorn products including six core craft flavors (Original Kettle Corn, Prickly Pear, White Cheddar Jalapeño, Roasted Street Corn, Sweet Butter Caramel, and Happy Birthday Cake) sold as single-flavor bags, multi-packs (6-Pack and 12-Pack varieties), and subscription service (Popcorn of the Month Club). The product line extends to collectible Arizona landmark gift tins in various occasions (birthday, thank you, congratulations, graduation, holidays, etc.) and sizes (Southwest Trio, Traditional Trio, 1-Gallon tins, and custom build-your-own options). Beyond retail, Cactus Corn provides B2B services including corporate gifting with custom branded packaging, event catering with mobile trailer/tent/truck setups, a wholesale program for gift shops and museums, and a fundraising program for Arizona schools and organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Original Kettle Corn (Multi-Pack 3/6/12) Classic slightly sweet, slightly salty kettle corn made with non-GMO popcorn and pure cane sugar, available in 3-pack, 6-pack, and 12-pack multi-pack sizes starting at $17.97.
• Prickly Pear Kettle Popcorn (Multi-Pack 3/6/12) Signature kettle corn dusted with real prickly pear fruit powder, offering a slightly sweet and tangy taste native to the Arizona desert, available in multi-pack sizes from $17.97.
• White Cheddar Jalapeño Popcorn (Multi-Pack 3/6/12) Savory popcorn made with real Arizona jalapeños, balancing sharp white cheddar with spicy heat; naturally gluten-free, available in multi-pack sizes from $17.97.
• Roasted Street Corn Popcorn (Multi-Pack) Southwest-inspired popcorn with the taste of elote, featuring a sweet and spicy flavor profile inspired by street corn tradition, available in multi-pack sizes from $17.97.
• Sweet Butter Caramel Popcorn (Multi-Pack 3/6/12) Old-fashioned caramel corn packed with real butter and brown sugar, available in multi-pack sizes from $17.97.
• Happy Birthday Cake Popcorn (Multi-Pack 3/6/12) Festive popcorn with rainbow sprinkles, designed for birthday celebrations, available in multi-pack sizes from $17.97.
• Popcorn Variety 6-Pack Sampler gift box containing all six hand-crafted flavors, perfect for gifting or trying multiple varieties; priced at $30.00.
• Popcorn Variety 12-Pack Full sampler gift box with two bags of each of the six flavors, providing a comprehensive Southwest popcorn experience; priced at $55.00.
• Popcorn of the Month Club (Subscription) Monthly subscription delivering three bags of freshly popped, hand-packed popcorn on the 15th of each month with free U.S. shipping, 10% off other orders, and bonus seasonal flavors; $30/month with month-to-month or prepaid 3/6/12-month plans.
• 1-Gallon Arizona Popcorn Gift Tin Large collectible tin featuring Arizona themes (Horseshoe Bend design), priced at $29.99, available in Canyon Pecan Crunch or Windy City Mix flavors.
• Southwest Trio Popcorn Gift Tin Gift tin containing three signature Southwest flavors: Roasted Street Corn, Prickly Pear Kettle, and White Cheddar Jalapeño; priced at $49.99.
• Traditional Trio Popcorn Gift Tin Classic gift tin featuring Caramel Corn, Kettle Corn, and Cheese Corn for traditional popcorn enthusiasts.
• Greetings From AZ Popcorn Gift Tin Arizona-themed collectible tin shaped like the state, filled with traditional flavor combo including caramel, kettle, and cheese popcorn.
• Create Your Own Custom Gift Tin Personalized gift tin allowing customers to choose up to three flavors from six craft options including Happy Birthday Cake, White Cheddar Jalapeño, Roasted Street Corn, and classics; priced at $49.99.
• Happy Birthday Popcorn Gift Tin Festive Arizona-themed birthday gift tin with personalization options.
• Thank You Popcorn Gift Tin Personalized thank-you gift tin for expressing appreciation.
• Congratulations Popcorn Gift Tin Celebration-themed gift tin for milestones and achievements.
• Congrats Graduate Popcorn Gift Tin Graduation-themed gift tin for celebrating academic achievements.
• Get Well Soon Popcorn Gift Tin Thoughtful gift tin for sending well wishes.
• Thinking of You Popcorn Gift Tin Sentimental gift tin for expressing care and thoughtfulness.
• Happy Holidays Popcorn Gift Tin Holiday-themed gift tin for seasonal gifting occasions.
• Event Catering Services On-site popcorn catering with trailer, tent, or truck setup options; packages include The Classic ($8/person), The Fan Favorite ($10/person), and The All Star ($12/person), plus Pop N Go pre-packaged pickup ($75–$105 per 25 bags), with staffing, equipment, and cleanup included.
• Corporate Gifting Program Custom branded popcorn gifts for businesses including custom labeled bags with company logos (minimum 50 bags, $3.00–$7.00 per bag depending on volume), branded gift tins (minimum 25), custom flavors, and branded lids for corporate events, client gifts, and conferences, with pricing improvements at 100 and 250 unit thresholds.
• Wholesale Distribution Program Wholesale distribution for gift shops, museum stores, and visitor centers at $3.19 per bag (12-bag case) or $26.49 per tin (6-tin case), giving retailers 47–60% gross margin; minimum first order $150; available on Faire marketplace with Net 60 terms and first-order free returns.
• Cactus Corn Cares Fundraising Program Fundraising program for Arizona schools, teams, and clubs offering up to 50% profit on popcorn sales with no upfront cost; the program has returned over $150,000 to local Arizona schools and PTAs historically.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000,000+ bags sold at Chase Field since 1998
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1998Long-term concession partnership since Chase Field opened in 1998. Running five-bay stand inside the ballpark serving kettle corn, buttered popcorn, craft flavors, and fresh squeezed lemonade. Over 1,000,000 bags sold at this venue alone.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Cracker Jack: Iconic mass-market CPG popcorn-peanut snack brand. Competes in popcorn category broadly but operates at commodity snack scale with no overlap to Cactus Corn's Southwest flavors, gift tins, or corporate customization.
• Lesser Evil: National CPG popcorn and snack brand distributed in grocery and natural channels. Competes broadly in popcorn category but operates at mass-market scale versus Cactus Corn's handcrafted, gifting-focused model.
• Popcorn Indiana: National CPG popcorn brand (Drizzle popcorn, Kettle Corn, etc.) sold in grocery and mass channels. Competes in popcorn category broadly but lacks Cactus Corn's Southwest regional flavor portfolio and gift-tin focus.
• SkinnyPop: Large-scale CPG popcorn brand owned by Amplify Snack Brands (ConAgra). Competes in popcorn category broadly but at mass-market scale without Cactus Corn's gift tins, custom branding, or Southwest differentiation.
• Angie's Artisan Treats (Boomchickapop): Mass-market CPG popcorn brand (Kettle Corn, Sea Salt, etc.) sold nationally through grocery and mass channels. Competes with Cactus Corn in popcorn category broadly but lacks Southwest flavor specialization and gift-tin focus.

Direct peers

• Popcornopolis: Gourmet popcorn brand selling flavored popcorn in gift tins, variety packs, and corporate gifts via DTC and wholesale. Direct competitor to Cactus Corn in the premium popcorn gifting category with overlapping flavor innovation and B2B gifting programs.
• The Popcorn Factory: Direct-to-consumer popcorn gifting brand specializing in decorated tins, variety packs, and corporate gifts. Closely comparable business model to Cactus Corn's mail-order gift tin and corporate gifting business.
• Garrett Popcorn Shops: Chicago-based gourmet popcorn brand with retail stores, tins, and nationwide shipping. Comparable to Cactus Corn as a small-batch, kettle-popped gourmet popcorn maker with collectible tins and corporate gifting offerings.
• Fireworks Popcorn: Small-batch gourmet popcorn brand offering flavored popcorn, gift tins, and corporate gifting. Comparable to Cactus Corn in product format, gifting focus, and DTC/wholesale distribution, though based in the Midwest rather than Arizona.

Emerging players

• Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks: Small-batch, heritage-corn popcorn and snack brand with DTC e-commerce and national retail distribution. Comparable artisanal positioning and flavor innovation to Cactus Corn, though without the Southwest regional flavor specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cactuscorn
• Facebookfacebook.com/cactuscorn
• Instagraminstagram.com/cactus_corn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cactuscorn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Cactus Corn