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  1. Home
  2. Brands
  3. Pet Care
  4. Ol' Roy
Ol' Roy logo
Pet Care

Who Owns Ol' Roy?

Ol' Roy is owned by Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), the publicly traded American retail corporation headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Walmart launched Ol' Roy in 1981 as its private label dog food brand, named after founder Sam Walton's bird dog. The food is manufactured by Mars Petcare under contract. Ol' Roy was historically the best-selling dog food brand in the United States, sold exclusively at Walmart stores.

Parent Company

Walmart Inc.

Founded

1981

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

Ol' Roy Timeline

1962
Walmart Inc.

Parent company established in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA

Company Founded
1981

Ol' Roy

Founded by Walmart (internal development)

Founded
budgetmass marketUnited StatesOfficial Website

Who Owns Ol' Roy?

  • Parent Company: Walmart Inc.
  • Ownership Type: Wholly owned
  • Company Type: Publicly Traded
  • Stock Ticker: NYSE: WMT
BrandParent CompanyOwnership Type
Ol' RoyWalmart Inc.Wholly owned

Where to Buy

Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
AmazonOl' Roy on Amazon

History of Ol' Roy

  • Founded: 1981
  • Founders: Walmart (internal development)

Walmart introduced Ol' Roy in 1981 as its private label dog food brand. Sam Walton named the brand after his bird dog, Roy. According to Drayton McLane, a former Walmart executive and hunting companion of Walton, there were actually multiple dogs named Roy over the years. "He had several dogs named Ol' Roy. When one Ol' Roy would die, he'd name another dog Ol' Roy," McLane told the Dallas Morning News in 2011.

Walton saw an opportunity to create a Walmart-exclusive dog food that matched the quality of national brands at a lower price. He commissioned Doane Pet Care Company, based in Joplin, Missouri, to manufacture the product. The strategy was simple: no marketing budget, no television commercials, no print advertising. Walmart passed those savings directly to consumers through lower prices.

The brand launched at a time when private label products were gaining consumer acceptance. Between 1997 and 2002, shoppers increased their purchases of store brands by 38%, according to market research cited in the book "Walmart: Key Insights and Practical Lessons From the World's Largest Retailer." Ol' Roy benefited from this trend, as many customers did not realize it was a private label brand.

By the 2000s, Ol' Roy had surpassed Purina to become the best-selling dog food brand in the United States. The brand outsold competitors by approximately 20%, achieving this without any advertising spend. Walmart's scale and store footprint provided the distribution. The company marketed Ol' Roy through prominent in-store displays, creating visual pyramids of bagged dog food that attracted shoppers' attention without additional marketing cost.

In 2006, Mars Inc. acquired Doane Pet Care's US business. Mars Petcare, which already owned Pedigree and other pet food brands, became the contract manufacturer for Ol' Roy. The acquisition did not change the brand ownership structure. Walmart continued to own the Ol' Roy brand and set product specifications, while Mars manufactured the food under contract.

Ol' Roy expanded its product range over the decades to include dry dog food in multiple formulas, canned wet food, dog treats, and specialized variants for puppies, senior dogs, and different breed sizes. The brand's core product, Complete Nutrition dry dog food in a 50-pound bag, has been a staple in Walmart stores for decades, typically priced at approximately $13.99, or roughly $0.28 per pound.

The brand has faced quality and safety challenges throughout its history. Multiple recalls in the 1990s and 2000s, including a 1998 aflatoxin contamination and the 2007 melamine crisis, affected Ol' Roy along with many other brands. The most serious incident was a 2018 recall of canned dog food contaminated with pentobarbital, a euthanasia drug. Walmart removed the affected products from 4,700 stores nationwide.

As of June 2026, no new FDA or manufacturer recalls have been reported for Ol' Roy, according to Petful's recall tracking database. The brand continues to be sold exclusively at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com.

About Walmart Inc.

What does Walmart own?
Walmart Inc. owns Walmart Supercenters, discount stores, and Neighborhood Markets in the US; Sam's Club warehouse clubs; approximately an 81% stake in Flipkart (India's leading e-commerce platform); Walmart Mexico (Walmex), the largest retailer in Mexico; Walmart Canada; and operations in Central America, Chile, China, and other countries. Private-label brands include Great Value, Equate, Onn., Mainstays, and Bettergoods. Walmart also owns Walmart Connect, its advertising network, and operates Walmart+, a paid membership service.

Is Walmart publicly traded?
Yes. Walmart Inc. has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker WMT since October 1970. Despite being a public company, the Walton family retains effective control through approximately 46% of shares held through Walton Enterprises LLC and other family entities. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors including Vanguard and BlackRock, and by public shareholders.

Who founded Walmart?
Sam Walton founded Walmart, opening the first store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. Walton had previously operated Ben Franklin franchise stores in Arkansas, where he developed the low-cost, high-volume retail philosophy that became Walmart's foundation. He died on April 5, 1992, at age 74. His family continues to hold the controlling stake in the company.

Where is Walmart headquartered?
Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA, where Sam Walton established the company's roots in the 1950s. The company's global headquarters, principal executive offices, and main distribution and technology infrastructure are concentrated in northwest Arkansas. Walmart operates in more than 20 countries, with its largest store concentration in the United States.

How many brands does Walmart own?
Walmart operates approximately 20 private-label and exclusive consumer brands, including Great Value (grocery), Equate (health and beauty), Onn. (electronics), Mainstays (home), and Bettergoods (premium food, launched 2024). These brands represent a smaller portion of Walmart's total merchandise revenue than at some competitors; most of what Walmart sells is national branded products from manufacturers.

Who owns Walmart?
Walmart Inc. is a public company with shares traded on the NYSE. The largest shareholder group is the Walton family, which collectively holds approximately 46% of outstanding shares through Walton Enterprises LLC and related entities. The Walton family is consistently ranked among the wealthiest families in the world as a result of this stake, with a combined net worth estimated in excess of $200 billion. Institutional investors including Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street collectively hold a significant portion of the remaining shares.

Is Sam's Club owned by Walmart?
Yes. Sam's Club is a wholly-owned division of Walmart Inc. It operates as a separate business segment within Walmart's financial reporting but is not a publicly traded entity on its own. Sam's Club was founded by Sam Walton in 1983, named in his honor, and operates approximately 600 warehouse club locations in the United States.

  • Founded: 1962
  • Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
  • Company Type: Publicly Traded
  • Stock: NYSE: WMT
  • Revenue: approximately $681 billion (FY2025, ended January 31, 2025)
  • Employees: ~2.1 million

Visit Walmart Inc. website

View full company profile for Walmart Inc.

Where Is Ol' Roy Made / Based?

  • Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
  • Manufacturing / Operations: United States

Ol' Roy Categories & Tags

Dog FoodPet CarePrivate LabelWalmartBudget

Ol' Roy Recalls & Controversies

1998 Aflatoxin Contamination: In November 1998, approximately 1.4 million bags of dry dog food were recalled due to aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin is a toxic byproduct of mold that grows on corn under certain storage conditions. The recall affected 17 brands manufactured by Doane Pet Care at its Temple, Texas facility, including Ol' Roy. Approximately 25 dog deaths were linked to the contamination. Doane Pet Care incurred $3 million in recall expenses. The incident led to increased industry scrutiny of corn storage practices in pet food manufacturing.

2007 Melamine Contamination: In March 2007, Ol' Roy was among the many brands affected by the Menu Foods melamine recall, one of the largest pet food safety incidents in history. Melamine, an industrial chemical used to artificially inflate protein readings in testing, was linked to kidney failure and deaths in pets across North America. Various Ol' Roy dry foods, canned foods, and treats manufactured between 2006 and 2007 were recalled. The incident led to widespread regulatory reforms in pet food safety standards.

2007-2008 Salmonella Recalls: Ol' Roy experienced multiple salmonella-related recalls in 2007 and 2008. In June 2007, a lot of Ol' Roy Complete Nutrition dry dog food was recalled for potential salmonella contamination. Additional recalls in September and October 2008 involved various Ol' Roy dry dog food products manufactured at Mars Petcare facilities in Pennsylvania.

2018 Pentobarbital Contamination: In February 2018, the J.M. Smucker Company announced a recall of Ol' Roy canned dog food products due to potential pentobarbital contamination. Pentobarbital is a euthanasia drug. The FDA confirmed its presence in samples detected through investigative testing by a television news team. The contamination suggested that rendered animal tissue from euthanized animals may have entered the pet food supply chain. Walmart removed the affected products from 4,700 stores nationwide. The FDA stated that detected levels were unlikely to cause adverse health effects in pets, but the recall raised serious concerns about ingredient sourcing in budget pet food.

Current Status: As of June 2026, no new recalls have been reported for Ol' Roy, per Petful's recall tracking database. Walmart has implemented enhanced quality control protocols for private label pet foods following these incidents, including more rigorous supplier screening and increased testing frequency.

Brands Owned by Walmart Inc.

AllswellFurniture Appliances

Allswell

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's direct-to-consumer mattress and bedding brand offering mid-range sleep products at accessible price points, sold online and through select Walmart channels.

mattressbeddingsleep
Better Homes & GardensHousehold Consumer Goods

Better Homes & Gardens

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Licensed home goods brand available exclusively at Walmart, offering stylish furniture, decor, kitchenware, and garden products inspired by the iconic lifestyle magazine.

home-decorfurniturekitchenware
bettergoodsFood Beverage

bettergoods

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's elevated private label food brand launched in 2024, offering chef-inspired, trend-forward gourmet products at affordable prices.

gourmet-foodschef-inspiredtrend-forward
DurabrandConsumer Electronics

Durabrand

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's private label electronics brand launched in 1999, offering budget TVs, audio equipment, DVD players, and accessories. Largely supplanted by Walmart's onn. brand in recent years.

electronicstvsaudio-equipment
EquateBeauty Personal Care

Equate

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's flagship private label brand for over-the-counter medications, health, beauty, and personal care products. One of the most widely purchased store brands in the United States.

health-carepersonal-careover-the-counter
FabulosoHousehold Consumer Goods

Fabuloso

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Multipurpose all-purpose pour cleaner brand owned by Colgate-Palmolive, known for its long-lasting fragrance and effective cleaning performance. The number one all-purpose pour cleaner in the United States.

cleaningmultipurpose-cleanerhousehold
View all brands owned by Walmart Inc.

Ol' Roy Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • +Walmart's massive retail footprint of over 4,600 US stores provides unmatched distribution for the brand
  • +Budget pricing at approximately $0.28 per pound makes Ol' Roy accessible to cost-conscious pet owners
  • +Walmart's supply chain scale and purchasing power keep manufacturing costs low
  • +The brand benefits from Walmart's corporate quality control investments following past recall incidents

Considerations

  • -Multiple recalls between 1998 and 2018, including aflatoxin, melamine, salmonella, and pentobarbital contamination, have damaged the brand's quality reputation
  • -Independent reviewers consistently rate Ol' Roy at the bottom of quality assessments, citing meat by-products and corn fillers as primary concerns
  • -Neither Walmart nor Mars Petcare publishes detailed ingredient sourcing or manufacturing location data for the brand, limiting transparency
  • -The brand is available only at Walmart, limiting consumer choice and creating dependency on a single retailer's distribution

Frequently Asked Questions About Ol' Roy

Sources & Further Reading

  • Petful: Ol' Roy Recall History and Brand Info -
  • Petful: Ol' Roy Dog Food Review -
  • Dog Food Advisor: Ol' Roy Dry Dog Food Review -
  • Walmart Inc. Investor Relations -
  • FDA Animal and Veterinary Recalls -
  • Dogwooff: Ol' Roy Dog Food Review -
  • Consumer Affairs: Ol' Roy Reviews -
  • Wikidata: Ol' Roy -

Competitors to Ol' Roy

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

BrandParent CompanyCountryFoundedMarket PositionPrimary MarketGender Target
Pure BalancePure BalanceSister Brand
Walmart
USA
2012
Premium mass-marketUnited statesAll Genders
Basic CareBasic CareSister Brand
Walmart
USA
2017
Mass marketUnited statesAll-ages
bettergoodsbettergoodsSister Brand
Walmart
USA
2024
Mass marketUnited statesAll-ages
DurabrandDurabrandSister Brand
Walmart
USA
1999
Mass marketUnited statesAll-ages
Freshness GuaranteedFreshness GuaranteedSister Brand
Walmart
USA
2010
Mass marketUnited statesAll Genders
Great ValueGreat ValueSister Brand
Walmart
USA
1993
Mass marketUnited statesAll Genders

Learn More About Competitors

Pure BalancePet Care

Pure Balance

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's private label natural pet food brand for dogs and cats, launched in 2012 and manufactured by Post Holdings under contract. Features real meat as the first ingredient with no artificial additives.

pet-fooddog-foodcat-food
Basic CareHealthcare Pharmaceuticals

Basic Care

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's private label personal care brand offering affordable everyday essentials including health, beauty, and wellness products.

private-labelwalmartaffordable
bettergoodsFood Beverage

bettergoods

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's elevated private label food brand launched in 2024, offering chef-inspired, trend-forward gourmet products at affordable prices.

gourmet-foodschef-inspiredtrend-forward
DurabrandConsumer Electronics

Durabrand

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's private label electronics brand launched in 1999, offering budget TVs, audio equipment, DVD players, and accessories. Largely supplanted by Walmart's onn. brand in recent years.

electronicstvsaudio-equipment
Freshness GuaranteedFood Beverage

Freshness Guaranteed

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's fresh produce and perishable foods private label brand offering quality fruits, vegetables, salads, and fresh prepared items.

fresh-produceprivate-labelwalmart
Great ValueFood Beverage

Great Value

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's flagship private label brand offering affordable groceries and household products across approximately 10,000 items.

private-labelstore-brandgroceries

Competitive Analysis

Market Positioning: Ol' Roy competes with 6 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.

Independent Alternatives to Ol' Roy

Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Walmart Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.

PedigreePet Care

Pedigree

Owned by Mars, Incorporated

Mass-market dog food brand offering dry kibble, wet food, and treats, owned by Mars Petcare (Mars Incorporated).

dog-foodpet-nutritionmass-market
Privately Owned

Pedigree is privately owned, unlike Ol' Roy which is under a publicly traded parent company.

IamsPet Care

Iams

Owned by Mars, Incorporated

American pet food brand known for premium dog and cat food formulations, owned by Mars Petcare since 2014.

pet-fooddog-foodcat-food
Privately Owned

Iams is privately owned, unlike Ol' Roy which is under a publicly traded parent company.

WhiskasPet Care

Whiskas

Owned by Mars, Incorporated

Global brand of cat food products including wet food, dry food, and treats, produced by Mars Petcare, a division of Mars, Incorporated.

pet-foodcat-foodpet-care
Privately Owned

Whiskas is privately owned, unlike Ol' Roy which is under a publicly traded parent company.

Pro PlanPet Care

Pro Plan

Owned by Nestlé S.A.

Premium pet food brand known for science-based nutrition formulas and specialized dietary solutions for dogs and cats, with over 140 targeted formulas.

premium-pet-fooddog-nutritioncat-nutrition
Publicly Traded

Pro Plan is owned by Nestlé S.A., offering a different ownership alternative.

Walmart Inc. Stock Information

Jobs at Walmart Inc.

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Last reviewed: August 1, 2026 · Reviewed by Who Brands Editorial Team