Who Owns BARK?
BARK is owned by BARK, Inc., a publicly traded American dog products company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BARK. Founded in 2011 by Henrik Werdelin, Matt Meeker, and Carly Strife, the company is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, and reported fiscal 2026 revenue of $394.8 million. Its flagship products are the BarkBox and Super Chewer subscription services, alongside retail distribution in more than 50,000 stores.
Who Owns BARK?
- Parent Company: BARK, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: BARK
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| BARK | BARK, Inc. | Wholly owned |
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History of BARK
- Founded: 2011
- Founders: Henrik Werdelin, Matt Meeker, Carly Strife
The company began in 2011 when Henrik Werdelin, Matt Meeker, and Carly Strife launched BarkBox, a monthly subscription box delivering themed toys and treats for dogs. Meeker had previously co-founded Meetup.com, and the idea came partly from observing his Great Dane's needs. The founders built the company inside Werdelin's startup studio, Prehype, which incubated consumer brands.
BarkBox grew quickly through the mid-2010s, reaching hundreds of thousands of subscribers and expanding into Super Chewer, a durable toy line for aggressive chewers, and Bark Bright, an early dental product. The company raised venture funding from investors including August Capital, Resolute Ventures, and later a $60 million Series C.
The business model broadened in 2018 and 2019 as BARK pushed into retail. Its toys and treats reached Target, Costco, Walmart, PetSmart, and TJ Maxx stores, giving the brand physical presence beyond the subscription channel. The company also launched BARK Eats, a dog food personalization service, though food delivery was later scaled back.
In December 2020, BARK completed its SPAC merger with Northern Star Acquisition Corp. and began trading on the NYSE. The stock surged initially before declining through the subscription economy downturn of 2021 and 2022, as customer acquisition costs rose and subscriber counts fell from pandemic-era highs.
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The company restructured through 2023 and 2024, reducing headcount and cutting marketing spend to reach adjusted EBITDA profitability. In 2024 it launched BARK Air, a charter-style flight service for dogs and their owners, generating international press and a new revenue line that contributed $12.4 million in fiscal 2026.
For fiscal 2026, ended March 31, 2026, BARK reported revenue of $394.8 million, down 18.5 percent as it deliberately cut marketing investment amid tariff pressure and consumer weakness. Net loss was $39.0 million, and adjusted EBITDA reached breakeven at $0.2 million.
About BARK, Inc.
Is BARK, Inc. publicly traded?
Yes. BARK, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BARK. It listed in December 2020 through a merger with the SPAC Northern Star Acquisition Corp.
When was BARK founded?
Henrik Werdelin, Matt Meeker, and Carly Strife founded the company in 2011 in New York City, launching the BarkBox subscription box.
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Who owns BARK, Inc.?
BARK is a widely held public company. Institutional investors hold the largest blocks, with co-founder and CEO Matt Meeker the most significant insider. No single shareholder has control.
What was BARK's most recent annual revenue?
For fiscal 2026, ended March 31, 2026, BARK reported revenue of $394.8 million, down 18.5 percent year over year, with a net loss of $39.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million.
Where is BARK headquartered?
BARK, Inc. is headquartered at 20 Jay Street in Brooklyn, New York, in the Dumbo neighborhood.
What brands does BARK own?
The company's brand portfolio includes BarkBox, Super Chewer, BARK Air, and BARK-branded treats, chews, and food lines. All are internally developed rather than acquired.
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- Founded: 2011
- Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: BARK
- Revenue: $394.8 million (FY2026, ended March 31, 2026)
- Employees: Approximately 600
Where Is BARK Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, China
BARK Categories & Tags
BARK Sustainability & Ethics
BARK emphasizes safe, tested materials in toys and has described quality control processes for its China-sourced products, though it holds no independent sustainability certifications such as B Corp. Treats and food products are marketed as made in the USA for most lines. The company has supported animal welfare nonprofits through donation programs and its BARK Gives initiative.
BARK Recalls & Controversies
In 2020, shortly after its SPAC announcement, BARK faced scrutiny over executive compensation and governance practices common to SPAC-era listings, though no regulatory action resulted.
The company has had limited product recalls. Like most pet product vendors, it has managed isolated quality complaints about toy durability, which it addresses through a replacement guarantee marketed as a core brand promise.
The larger controversy has been financial: the stock declined more than 90 percent from its post-SPAC highs, drawing shareholder criticism and prompting the cost restructuring that brought the company to adjusted EBITDA breakeven in fiscal 2026.
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BARK Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Vertically integrated brand controls product design, subscriptions, and retail distribution
- +Public listing provides capital access and currency for potential acquisitions
- +Retail presence in 50,000-plus stores diversifies beyond subscription economics
- +BARK Air differentiation creates press coverage competitors cannot replicate
Considerations
- -Chronic unprofitability, with net losses continuing through fiscal 2026
- -Subscription revenue declining as marketing spend was cut to preserve margins
- -Exposure to China tariffs on toys, a large share of product cost
- -Stock down more than 90 percent from SPAC-era highs limits future capital flexibility
Sources & Further Reading
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Competitors to BARK
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Farmers Dog | USA | 2014 | Premium | United states | All-ages |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: BARK competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Pet CareThe Barker Lounge
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dog-daycarepet-boardingfranchise
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The Barker Lounge is privately owned, unlike BARK which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Pet CareWhiskas
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pet-foodcat-foodpet-care
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Whiskas is privately owned, unlike BARK which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Pet CareTylee's
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Chewy's proprietary human-grade pet food brand, launched in 2017, selling freeze-dried meals and treats made in a US facility.
pet-foodprivate-labelhuman-grade
Publicly Traded
Tylee's is owned by Chewy, Inc., offering a different ownership alternative.
BARK, Inc. Stock Information
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