The Campbell's Company

Is Campbell Soup Company still the company's name?
No. In 2024, the company formally rebranded from Campbell Soup Company to The Campbell's Company to reflect its diversified product portfolio that extends well beyond soup.

Is Campbell's publicly traded?
Yes. The Campbell's Company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under ticker CPB.

Who owns Rao's Homemade pasta sauce?
Rao's Homemade is owned by The Campbell's Company, which acquired it through the purchase of Sovos Brands, Inc. in 2023 for approximately 2.7 billion US dollars.

Who makes Goldfish crackers?
Goldfish crackers are made by Pepperidge Farm, a subsidiary of The Campbell's Company. Goldfish was introduced by Pepperidge Farm in 1962.

Who makes Pepperidge Farm?
Pepperidge Farm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Campbell's Company. Campbell's acquired Pepperidge Farm from its founder Margaret Rudkin in 1961.

Where is Campbell's headquartered?
The Campbell's Company is headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, the same city where Joseph Campbell and Abraham Anderson founded the original company in 1869.

What brands does Campbell's own in snacks?
Campbell's snack brands include Goldfish, Pepperidge Farm breads and cookies, Snyder's of Hanover pretzels, Cape Cod potato chips, Lance crackers, Late July organic snacks, and Kettle Brand chips, all managed through its Snacks segment.

Joseph Campbell and Abraham Anderson established the Joseph A. Campbell Preserve Company in Camden, New Jersey in 1869. The company initially produced canned tomatoes, vegetables, jellies, soups, condiments, and minced meats. Anderson left the partnership in 1876 and the company operated under various ownership arrangements.

Arthur Dorrance joined as general manager in 1897 and brought his nephew John T. Dorrance, a chemist with a PhD from Goettingen, into the company. John T. Dorrance invented a process for condensing soup by removing water before canning, dramatically reducing the cost and size of a can of soup while improving shelf life. The technology was a significant food processing innovation.

The company was renamed the Joseph Campbell Company in 1905 and Campbell Soup Company in 1922. Condensed soups in the red-and-white labeled can, designed by an executive who was inspired by the colors of Cornell University's football uniforms, became one of the most recognized packaging designs in American consumer products. Andy Warhol's 1962 series of screen prints depicting the Campbell's Soup can became among the most famous works of American pop art.

Campbell's went public in 1954. The company expanded through acquisitions throughout the 20th century. Pepperidge Farm, the Connecticut-based premium baked goods company founded by Margaret Rudkin, was acquired in 1961 and became one of Campbell's most successful businesses.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Campbell's pursued diversification beyond soup to reduce its dependence on the condensed soup category, which faced long-term consumption declines as consumers shifted toward fresh and premium food options. Acquisitions during this period included Pace Foods, Bolthouse Farms, and Garden Fresh Gourmet, some of which were later divested.

A significant strategic shift came with the 2017 appointment of Mark Clouse as CEO (effective January 2019) and an activist investor campaign by Third Point LLC. Third Point pressured the board to consider a sale of the company, but the Dorrance family's shareholdings limited outside control. The company underwent a review and divested its international operations and certain underperforming brands, including Bolthouse Farms and Garden Fresh Gourmet, to focus on its North American business.

In 2023, Campbell's acquired Sovos Brands, Inc. for approximately 2.7 billion US dollars. Sovos Brands owned Rao's Homemade, a premium pasta sauce brand originally from a New York restaurant, which had become one of the fastest-growing pasta sauce brands in the United States due to its premium positioning and ingredient quality. The acquisition also included other Sovos brands including Michael Angelo's and noosa yoghurt.

In 2024, the company formally rebranded from Campbell Soup Company to The Campbell's Company, adopting a corporate name that more accurately reflected its diversified product portfolio beyond soups and beverages.

Campbell's participates in the Science Based Targets initiative and has set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and supply chain. The company publishes annual corporate responsibility reports covering environmental, social, and governance topics. Campbell's has committed to sustainable sourcing for key commodities including tomatoes, potatoes, and wheat.

No B Corp, Leaping Bunny, or equivalent independent certification has been granted to The Campbell's Company as of June 2026.

Campbell's has received recognition in ESG rating frameworks and food industry sustainability programs. The brand's iconic packaging has been recognized in marketing and design history. The Campbell's Soup can image is part of permanent collections at several major art museums, including MoMA New York, owing to Andy Warhol's 1962 Campbell's Soup Cans series.

BPA in Can Liners: Campbell's faced prolonged consumer and regulatory pressure regarding the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in the lining of its steel cans. BPA is a chemical with potential endocrine-disrupting properties. Consumer advocates campaigned for BPA removal throughout the 2010s. Campbell's announced a transition away from BPA-based liners in 2012 and has since converted the majority of its US soup cans to BPA-free alternatives. The transition required extensive reformulation work because alternative liners affect the flavor of certain soups.

Sodium Content: Campbell's condensed soups have historically contained high levels of sodium. Public health advocates and the FDA have scrutinized high-sodium processed foods. Campbell's reduced sodium levels in many of its soups during the 2000s and 2010s and has introduced low-sodium variants, though the core condensed soup products remain relatively high in sodium compared to dietary guidelines.

Rao's Brand Authenticity Post-Acquisition: Following the 2023 acquisition, some consumers and food media commentators raised questions about whether Rao's Homemade would maintain its premium ingredient standards under Campbell's ownership, given the parent company's mass-market heritage. Campbell's management has publicly committed to maintaining the brand's formula and premium positioning.

Third Point Activist Campaign (2018): Hedge fund Third Point LLC, led by Daniel Loeb, acquired a stake in Campbell's and publicly called for the company to be sold, arguing that management had failed to deliver shareholder value. The campaign generated significant media coverage and board-level changes. Campbell's ultimately did not sell and instead undertook a strategic review and restructuring.