Who Owns Dinty Moore?
Dinty Moore is owned by Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a publicly traded American food company headquartered in Austin, Minnesota. Hormel introduced the canned beef stew brand in 1935 and has produced it continuously since. Dinty Moore remains the leading canned stew brand in the United States more than nine decades after launch.
Dinty Moore Timeline
Who Owns Dinty Moore?
- Parent Company: Hormel Foods
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: HRL
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dinty Moore | Hormel Foods | Brand division |
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History of Dinty Moore
- Founded: 1935
- Founders: Hormel Foods (internal development)
Hormel launched Dinty Moore beef stew in 1935, the same year it introduced Hormel chili, during a Depression-era push into convenient canned foods. The brand took its name from Dinty Moore's, a well-known New York restaurant, borrowing the association with a hearty meal.
Early advertising leaned on popular culture. Characters Jiggs and Maggie from the comic strip "Bringing Up Father" pitched the stew in the 1930s, and in the 1960s and 1970s a lumberjack character made the brand famous with the line "First name's Dinty, last name's Moore" while pressing a thumbprint onto every can.
The product line stayed focused. Beef stew remained the core, with chicken and dumplings and other varieties added over the decades. The brand never expanded beyond the canned comfort-food identity, which kept it sharply positioned while competitors diversified.
The brand has outlasted nearly every comparable product of its era. More than nine decades after launch, Dinty Moore still holds the leading share in the US canned stew category, a remarkable run for a single-product-adjacent brand.
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About Hormel Foods
Is Hormel Foods publicly traded?
Yes, Hormel Foods trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker HRL and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats. The company is widely held by institutional and individual investors.
Who is the CEO of Hormel Foods?
John Ghingo was named CEO effective October 26, 2026, succeeding interim CEO Jeff Ettinger. Ghingo previously served as president of Hormel Foods since July 2025. Jim Snee, who had been CEO since 2016, stepped down in 2025. Ettinger, a former Hormel CEO from 2005 to 2016, returned as interim CEO in July 2025.
Who founded Hormel Foods?
Hormel Foods was founded in 1891 by George A. Hormel in Austin, Minnesota. The company became publicly traded in 1928.
What is Hormel's annual revenue?
For fiscal year 2025 (ended October 26, 2025), Hormel reported net sales of $12.1 billion, up 2% year-over-year with organic growth of 2%. Adjusted operating income was $1.02 billion and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.37. For fiscal 2026, the company expects net sales of $12.2 to $12.5 billion.
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Does Hormel own SPAM?
Yes, SPAM is Hormel's most iconic product. The canned pork product was introduced in 1937 and remains popular globally, particularly in Hawaii, Guam, South Korea, and other Pacific regions. SPAM is one of the company's key growth drivers internationally.
What brands does Hormel own?
Hormel owns more than 40 brands including SPAM, Skippy peanut butter, Jennie-O turkey products, Planters nuts, Applegate natural and organic meats, Columbus Craft Meats, Wholly guacamole, Fontanini Italian meats, Hormel Black Label bacon, Dinty Moore stew, and Hormel Chili. The Justin's brand was placed into a joint venture in 2025.
Does Hormel pay dividends?
Yes, Hormel has increased its dividend for 60 consecutive years, making it a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats. The annualized dividend rate is $1.17 per share. In FY2025, the company returned a record $633 million to shareholders in dividends.
- Founded: 1891
- Headquarters: Austin, Minnesota, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: HRL
- Revenue: $12.1 billion (FY2025, ended October 26, 2025)
- Employees: Approximately 20,000
Where Is Dinty Moore Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Austin, Minnesota, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Dinty Moore Categories & Tags
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One of the largest turkey brands in the United States, founded in 1940 in Willmar, Minnesota, and owned by Hormel Foods since 1986.
turkeypoultrymeat
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Dinty Moore Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Category leadership with minimal national competition in canned stew
- +Nine decades of brand recognition and pantry loyalty
- +Budget positioning performs well during consumer trade-down
- +Complete national distribution through Hormel's grocery relationships
- +Low marketing overhead relative to flagship brands
Considerations
- -Operates in a structurally declining canned food segment
- -Growth depends on share defense rather than category expansion
- -Sodium and processed-meat perceptions limit appeal to health-focused shoppers
- -Aging customer base with limited penetration among younger consumers
- -Value pricing leaves little margin room for input cost spikes
Frequently Asked Questions About Dinty Moore
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Dinty Moore
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hormel Foods | USA | 1956 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Dinty Moore 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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Food BeverageCrunch
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Food BeverageEggo
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Jammie Dodgers is privately owned, unlike Dinty Moore which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Hormel Foods Stock Information
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