Eichtens Cheese

Artisan Cheese Manufacturingeichtenscheese.com

Eichtens Cheese is a third-generation family farm in Center City, MN (established 1976) producing artisan European-style Gouda and Tilsit cheeses and specialty foods, sold direct-to-consumer via farm store, e-commerce, and farmers markets, and wholesale through foodservice distributors and corporate gift programs.

Company typePrivate
Founded1976
HeadquartersCenter City, United States
Headcount1–10
GTM typeB2B and B2C
OfferingHardware or Manufacturing

What Eichtens Cheese does

Eichtens Cheese is a third-generation family farm located in Center City, Minnesota, established in 1976 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in October 2026. The company specializes in artisan European-style cheeses, with Gouda as its flagship product — offered in over 15 flavor varieties including Plain, Chipotle Pepper, Cranberry Chipotle, Everything Bagel, Thai Pepper, and Wild Rice Gouda (featuring Minnesota wild rice). Production relies on traditional European techniques including slow-speed vat pasteurization and small batch processing, with all cheeses aged a minimum of 60 days and select varieties aged up to 17 years. Secondary cheese lines include Tilsit, Parmesan, Cheddar, Swiss, and various specialty cheeses, complemented by a broad portfolio of cheese spreads, gift boxes, bison and beef meats, and ancillary specialty foods (crackers, jams, wild rice, pancake mixes).

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer channels include an on-site farm store open three days per week, a Shopify-powered e-commerce store shipping nationwide year-round, and seasonal farmers markets. Business-to-business channels include major foodservice distributors (UNFI, US Foods, Gordon Foods, Fortune Fish & Gourmet) and B2B wholesale platforms (Airgoods, Faire, Mable, Creoate), serving restaurants, caterers, retailers, and corporate gift buyers. Pricing spans unit-level retail ($0.65-$15.25 per wedge/spread) to wholesale foodservice wheels (up to $200 for a 10 lb wheel) and premium gift boxes (up to $195.99). A co-marketing partnership with Hope Creamery features Hope's fresh European-style butter in Eichtens' cheese spreads.

The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no subsidiary structure. Ownership and operations remain within the founding family across three generations. Customer segments are diversified across individual consumers, foodservice operators, and corporate gift buyers, with no material concentration risk. The brand emphasizes heritage, Minnesota local production, and authentic European craft as its core value proposition, competing on quality, flavor variety, and provenance rather than price or scale.

Eichtens Cheese firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Eichtens Cheese
Legal name: Eichtens Cheeses, Gifts & Foods
Website: https://eichtenscheese.com
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1976
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1–10 employees
Short description: Eichtens Cheese is a third-generation family farm in Center City, MN (established 1976) producing artisan European-style Gouda and Tilsit cheeses and specialty foods, sold direct-to-consumer via farm store, e-commerce, and farmers markets, and wholesale through foodservice distributors and corporate gift programs.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Eichtens Cheese industry classification

Industry

Product category: Artisan Cheese Manufacturing
NAICS: Cheese Manufacturing (311513)
SIC: Dairy Products (2020)
akta.pro primary industry: Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)
akta.pro secondary industries: Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB), Cheese Packaging & Portioning (Retail Packs, Snack Packs, Singles) (AFAHABAI), Grated, Shredded & Sliced Cheese Manufacturing (Value-Added Cuts) (AFAHABAF), Cheese (Natural & Processed) (CRADACAC)

Keywords

Artisan cheese production
European style Gouda
Specialty food retail
Farm store sales
Wholesale cheese distribution

Where Eichtens Cheese is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Center City
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Eichtens Cheese 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

Direct Retail Sales (E-commerce): Online store sales through Shopify platform shipping cheese and specialty products nationwide to individual consumers year-round. Products include retail wedges, cheese spreads, gift boxes, and specialty foods.
On-site Farm Store: Direct sales from the farm location in Center City MN, open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9am-2pm. Customers can visit the farm and purchase products directly.
Wholesale / Foodservice: Bulk sales to foodservice operators, restaurants, and retailers through wholesale distributors and B2B platforms. Products offered in foodservice wheel format (full wheels, half wheels, quarter wedges) at wholesale pricing.
Farmers Markets: Direct sales at farmers markets and events throughout the region. Seasonal revenue stream with event schedule published on website.
Gift Box Sales: Corporate and individual gift box sales with custom and premade options shipped nationwide. Range from $10 gift cards to $195.99 premium gift boxes.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	Individual Cheese Products (Wedges/Spreads)
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	Gift Boxes
Unit Pricing	Multi-year contract	Foodservice Wheels (Wholesale)
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	Specialty Foods & Meats

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Eichtens Cheese product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Eichtens Cheese is a third-generation family farm that manufactures artisan European-style Gouda and Tilsit cheeses using traditional slow-speed vat pasteurization and small-batch production with a minimum 60-day aging process. It sells these cheeses alongside specialty foods (cheese spreads, Parmesan, Cheddar, Swiss, wild rice, jams, crackers, bison and beef meats) to individual consumers through its on-site farm store, Shopify e-commerce site, and farmers markets, and to foodservice operators and retailers through wholesale distributors in bulk wheel format.

Product overview

Eichtens Cheese is a third-generation family farm in Center City, MN (established 1976) offering artisan European-style cheeses and specialty foods. The core product portfolio centers on Gouda cheeses (available in over 15 flavor varieties including Plain, Chipotle Pepper, Cranberry Chipotle, Everything Bagel, Habanero Pepper, Hatch Pepper, Herb, Jalapeno Pepper, Parmezaan, Peppercorn Garlic, Smoked, Thai Pepper, Tomato Basil, and Wild Rice) and Tilsit cheese, each available in retail wedges (5 oz, 8 oz) and foodservice cuts (quarter 2.5 lb, half wheel 5 lb, full wheel 10 lb). Complementary products include Parmesan, Cheddar, Swiss, and other specialty cheeses; spreadable cheese cups in multiple flavors; gift boxes (premade and customizable); and specialty foods (crackers, jams, mustards, pancake mixes, soups, wild rice). The company also offers bison and beef meats, cutting boards, and operates an on-farm store with nationwide online shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

European Style Gouda Cheeses Artisan Gouda cheeses made in Minnesota using traditional European techniques, aged 60 days or longer. Available in over 15 flavor varieties (Plain, Caraway, Chipotle Pepper, Cranberry, Cranberry Chipotle, Everything Bagel, Habanero Pepper, Hatch Pepper, Herb, Jalapeno Pepper, Parmezaan, Peppercorn Garlic, Smoked, Thai Pepper, Tomato Basil, Wild Rice). Sold in retail wedges (5 oz, 8 oz) and foodservice wheels (2.5 lb quarter wedge, 5 lb half wheel, 10 lb full wheel).
Tilsit Cheese European-style Tilsit cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk. Available in retail wedges (5 oz, 8 oz) and foodservice cuts (quarter wedge 2.5 lb, half wheel 5 lb, full wheel 10 lb).
Cheese Spreads Spreadable cheese varieties in 8 oz cups including Gouda-based spreads (Plain, Caraway, Chipotle Pepper, Cranberry, Cranberry Chipotle, Herb, Hot Jalapeno, Peppercorn Garlic, Smoked, Tomato Basil, Wild Rice) and other flavors (Garlic, Horseradish, Blueberry Vanilla, Swiss Almond, Olive Tapenade, Smokey Bison, Garlic Blue, Thai Pepper, Aged Cheddar). Made with Hope Creamery fresh European-style butter.
Parmesan Cheese Parmesan cheese available in wedge, shredded (8 oz), and grated (1/2 lb) formats.
Cheddar Cheese White and yellow Cheddar cheese available in aged varieties, including Tipperary Irish Cheddar and Lucky Linda Cheddar Clothbound.
Swiss Cheese Aged Swiss cheese available in 8 oz cuts with or without eyes.
Other Cheeses Additional cheese varieties including Bellavitano, Blue Cheese, Cheese Curds, Colby and Colby Jack, Havarti, Huntsman, Mozzarella, Provolone, Stilton, and String Cheese.
Gift Boxes Custom and premade gift boxes shipped nationwide year-round. Includes Mary's Variety Cheese and Sausage Gift Box, Hidden Acres Cheese Gift Box, Tidbit Cheese and Sausage Gift Box, Midwest Sampler Gift Box, and Create Your Own Gift Box options. Prices range from $10 gift cards to $195.99 Elite Cheese with Bison Collection.
Specialty Foods Gourmet accompaniments including caramels and chocolates, cheeseball mixes, crackers, gourmet pickled foods, mustards/sauces/salsas, jams/jellies/butters, pancake mixes/syrups, soup/chili/rice mixes, and wild rice products.
Bison Meat Bison meat products including snack sticks (4 oz) and summer sausage (8 oz, 12 oz).
Beef Meat Beef products including snack sticks (8 oz) and summer sausage chub (13 oz).
Cutting Boards and Cheese Slicers Minnesota Silhouette Serving and Cutting Board with Eichtens Cheese Logo and bamboo round cutting boards, sold as branded accessories.

Quantifiable outcome

Aged 60 days and/or longer - the longer the aging period, the stronger the flavor
+1 more outcomes

Companies that use Eichtens Cheese

Customer profile

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Eichtens Cheese technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Eichtens Cheese partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

AirgoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B wholesale platform listing for Eichtens Cheese products. Allows retailers and businesses to purchase Eichtens cheese wholesale through the Airgoods platform.
FairecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B wholesale marketplace where retailers can discover and purchase Eichtens Cheese products. Faire provides wholesale ordering and fulfillment infrastructure.
Fortune Fish & GourmetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialty food distributor covering the Midwest region. Distributes Eichtens Cheese products to restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators.
CreoateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B online marketplace for wholesale purchasing of Eichtens Cheese products.
Great American Cheese CollectionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCheese-focused distributor specializing in artisan and specialty cheeses. Carries Eichtens Cheese products for wholesale distribution.
Gordon Foods (Ordervue)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor foodservice distributor serving restaurants and institutions. Eichtens Cheese available through Gordon Food Service's Ordervue platform for wholesale purchasing.
MableminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorB2B wholesale platform enabling retailers to purchase Eichtens Cheese products for resale.
Specialty Foods AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale information partner through Specialty Foods Partners program for distributing Eichtens specialty cheese products.
UNFI (Supervalu)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLarge national food distributor covering natural and specialty products. UNFI distributes Eichtens Cheese products to retailers and foodservice customers nationwide.
US FoodscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor foodservice distributor serving restaurants, healthcare, and hospitality. Eichtens Cheese available through US Foods B2B wholesale channel.
Hope CreameryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHope Creamery supplies fresh European-style butter for use in Eichtens Cheese spreads, featured in product descriptions and marketing materials.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Eichtens Cheese competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Eichtens Cheese financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Eichtens Cheese leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Eichtens Cheese funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Eichtens Cheese M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eichtens Cheese

What does Eichtens Cheese do?

Is Eichtens Cheese a public or private company?

Eichtens Cheese is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.

When was Eichtens Cheese founded?

Eichtens Cheese was founded in 1976. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Eichtens Cheese based?

Eichtens Cheese is headquartered in Center City, United States, in the North America region.

How does Eichtens Cheese make money?

Five revenue lines are on record. Direct Retail Sales (E-commerce) is the primary driver. The others are on-site Farm Store, wholesale / Foodservice, farmers Markets and gift Box Sales.

Does Eichtens Cheese have an API?

No public API is recorded for Eichtens Cheese.

What industry is Eichtens Cheese in?

Eichtens Cheese's product category is Artisan Cheese Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAKAB, Cheese Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAHABAB, Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue). Its NAICS code is 311513 and its SIC code is 2020.