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Tyson Foods, Inc.

Protein foodsFounded 1935
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026
Independent Editorial Analysis
12 historical events · Editorial analysis

Tyson Foods Company Profile: Revenue, Business Model & Strategy

Research depth: 12 milestones · 10 FAQs

Tyson Foods reported fiscal 2025 sales of $54.441 billion and net income attributable to Tyson of $474 million, with about 133,000 employees. Donnie King is CEO until October 4, 2026, when Jeff Schomburger succeeds him.

How Tyson Foods makes money: Tyson makes money by buying or raising animals, processing them into fresh and value-added products, and selling them to retailers, restaurant chains, foodservice distributors and export buyers.

Revenue & employeesCEO historyFoundersBusiness model
Annual Revenue (FY2025)$54.4B
Employees133,000
CEOJeff Schomburger
Founded1935
IndustryFood
By Swet ParvadiyaLast reviewed:
Data sources: annual reports, SEC filings, methodology
Industry:Food and protein processing

Tyson Foods, Inc. key figures

Tyson Foods, Inc. had revenue of $54.4B for fiscal year 2025, up 2.1% from FY2024. Net income was $474M, a net margin of 0.9%.

Source: TYSON FOODS, INC. annual report (Form 10-K, SEC EDGAR, filed 2025-11-10) · Last reviewed October 2026

Revenue growth, FY2016 to FY2025
+4.4% a year
Compound annual rate, $36.9B to $54.4B
Peak revenue year
FY2025
The latest annual year is the highest in this series
Revenue per employee
$409,331
FY2025 revenue divided by 133,000 employees; headcount may use another date
Current chief executive
Jeff Schomburger
In the role since 2026
Documented transactions
4
Between 2001 and 2018
Founded
1935
91 years ago
Where was Tyson Foods founded?
Tyson Foods was founded in Springdale, Arkansas, United States in 1935. wikidata.org
When did Tyson Foods start?
Tyson Foods was founded in 1935.
How old is Tyson Foods?
Tyson Foods is 91 years old as of 2026.
In-Depth Analysis
106 words · 1 min read

John W. Tyson began hauling live chickens from Springdale, Arkansas, to Midwestern markets in 1935. His son Don Tyson took over in 1967 and grew the company through acquisitions, and the 2001 IBP deal added beef and pork.

Economics of Protein

Fresh meat margins are thin and depend on livestock and feed costs, so Tyson relies on branded Prepared Foods such as Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm for steadier profits.

Legal Scrutiny

Tyson has faced price-fixing class actions in chicken, pork and beef; legal accruals reduced fiscal 2025 sales by $653 million.

2026 Leadership Change

Jeff Schomburger succeeds Donnie King as CEO on October 4, 2026.

Table of Contents

Tyson Foods, Inc. Key Facts

CompanyTyson Foods, Inc.
Annual revenue change+2.1% (FY2024–FY2025)
Financials$54.4B (FY2025, last reviewed October 2026)
Market Cap$18.4B
FY2025 net income$474.0M
Last reviewedBy Swet Parvadiya, Founder & Editor - October 2026
Founded1935
Founder(s)John W. Tyson
CEOJeff Schomburger
HeadquartersSpringdale, Arkansas, United States
IndustryFood and protein processing
Employees133,000+

Tyson Foods Company Profile: Revenue, Business Model & Strategy

"Tyson sells about $54 billion of protein a year, yet its GAAP operating margin was just 2.0% in fiscal 2025 and 2.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2026. Chicken and prepared foods are carrying the company while a tight U.S. cattle herd squeezes beef, and a new CEO from outside the meat industry takes over in October 2026."

Why Tyson Foods, Inc. Wins

Tyson wins when its scale, plant network, branded products, and foodservice relationships give customers reliable access to protein at national scale.

Tyson Foods, Inc. operates in a competitive market alongside Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Hormel Foods Corporation, Conagra Brands, Inc., The Kraft Heinz Company. Analysts frequently compare Tyson Foods, Inc. and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation due to their overlapping products, target markets, and strategic positioning. See full comparison →

Tyson Foods reported fiscal 2025 sales of $54.441 billion and net income attributable to Tyson of $474 million, with about 133,000 employees. Donnie King is CEO until October 4, 2026, when Jeff Schomburger succeeds him.

Revenue

$54.4B

Founded

1935

Employees

133K+

Market Cap

$18.4B

Author: CorpDigest Research DeskCompany Research

Key Facts

  • Founded: Tyson Foods, Inc. was established in 1935 and is headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, United States.
  • Revenue: Tyson Foods, Inc. had $54.4B in annual revenue (FY2025).
  • Valuation: Market capitalization of approximately $18.4B.
  • Scale: Tyson Foods, Inc. employs 133,000 people globally.
  • Business Model: Tyson makes money by buying or raising animals, processing them into fresh and value-added products, and selling them.
  • Competitive Edge: Tyson's advantage comes from scale, vertical integration in chicken, branded foods, plant network, foodservice.

How Tyson Foods Makes Money

Capital Allocation & Scaling Mechanics

Tyson makes money by buying or raising animals, processing them into fresh and value-added products, and selling them to retailers, restaurant chains, foodservice distributors and export buyers. In chicken it is vertically integrated: it owns breeder flocks, hatcheries and feed mills and pays contract farmers to raise birds. In beef and pork it buys cattle and hogs from independent producers and earns the spread between livestock costs and meat and byproduct prices, which is thin and cyclical. Prepared Foods (Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, State Fair and others) turns raw protein into branded products with steadier margins.

Explore Tyson Foods, Inc. In Depth

📅Tyson Foods, Inc. History & Milestones💼How Tyson Foods, Inc. Makes Money📊Tyson Foods, Inc. Revenue & Financials⚔️Tyson Foods, Inc. Competitive Strategy & SWOT👤Tyson Foods, Inc. Founders & Origin Story🏆Tyson Foods, Inc. CEO History & Leadership🤝Tyson Foods, Inc. Acquisitions & Deals

What Is Tyson Foods, Inc.'s Growth Strategy?

Tyson's plan centers on chicken execution (better yields and value-added mix), prepared-foods brand growth, managing beef through the cattle cycle, plant network consolidation, automation, cost control and debt reduction.

How Much Revenue Does Tyson Foods Generate?

Fiscal 2025 (ended September 27, 2025) sales rose 2.1% to $54.441 billion, or 3.3% excluding a $653 million increase in legal contingency accruals recorded as a reduction to sales. GAAP operating income fell 22% to $1.098 billion, while adjusted operating income rose 26% to $2.287 billion; GAAP EPS was $1.33 and adjusted EPS $4.12. Tyson reduced total debt by $957 million and ended the year with $3.7 billion of liquidity. In the first nine months of fiscal 2026, sales were $41.834 billion (up 3.1%), GAAP operating income $1.099 billion (up 17%), adjusted operating income $1.616 billion (down 4%) and free cash flow $913 million. Third-quarter sales were flat at $13.87 billion as 3.4% higher pricing offset a 2.8% volume decline tied to constrained cattle supply.

Financial MetricEstimated Value (2026)
Market Capitalization$18.4B
Employee Count133,000 +
Latest Annual Revenue$54.4B (FY2025)

Historical Revenue Chart

Tyson Foods, Inc. Annual Revenue History

All figures in USD.

Fiscal YearRevenue FigureYoY Change
FY2016$36.9BN/A
FY2017$38.3B+3.7%
FY2018$40.1B+4.7%
FY2019$42.4B+5.9%
FY2020$43.2B+1.8%
FY2021$47B+8.9%
FY2022$53.3B+13.2%
FY2023$52.9B-0.8%
FY2024$53.3B+0.8%
FY2025$54.4B+2.1%

The source for each year is listed on the Tyson Foods, Inc. financials page.

Core Strength

Tyson combines national protein processing scale with brands such as Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, and ibp.

Key Weakness

Beef, pork, feed, cattle, labor, and legal costs can overwhelm branded-foods stability.

Deep Dive into Tyson Foods, Inc. SWOT Analysis

Who Are Tyson Foods, Inc.'s Main Competitors?

Tyson competes with JBS, Cargill, Hormel, Pilgrim's Pride, Smithfield Foods, National Beef, Perdue, Sanderson Farms, and other protein producers. Its moat is strongest in scale, foodservice supply, chicken integration, and branded prepared foods, but beef-cycle pressure and legal costs can quickly reduce margins. Tyson is one of the largest U.S. chicken producers and one of the top U.S. beef packers alongside JBS, Cargill and National Beef, and Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm are leading U.S. breakfast sausage and smoked sausage brands. Tight cattle supply and beef losses are the main current pressure, and legal accruals from antitrust litigation cut fiscal 2025 sales by $653 million.

Top CompetitorsHead-to-Head Analysis
Pilgrim's Pride CorporationCompare vs Pilgrim's Pride Corporation→

What Is Tyson Foods, Inc.'s Full Historical Timeline?

Historical Timeline & Strategic Pivots

Key Milestones

1935 -

Tyson starts hauling live chickens from Springdale, Arkansas, to Midwestern markets.

1947 -

The business incorporates as Tyson Feed & Hatchery, adding feed and chick production.

1963 -

The company goes public and later renames itself Tyson Foods.

1967 -

Tyson's death, Don Tyson leads the company through decades of acquisition-driven growth.

1989 -

Tyson wins a bidding contest for Holly Farms, sharply expanding its chicken business.

2001 -

Tyson buys beef and pork processor IBP, valued at about $4.6 billion including assumed debt, becoming a multi-protein company.

2014 -

Tyson acquires Hillshire Brands (Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park) for about $8.55 billion including debt.

2017 -

Tyson buys AdvancePierre, a maker of prepared sandwiches and convenience foods, for about $4.2 billion including debt.

2018 -

Tyson buys Keystone Foods from Marfrig for $2.16 billion, expanding its restaurant supply and Asian operations.

2021 -

Longtime executive Donnie King, who joined Tyson in 1982, is named CEO.

2026 -

On May 28, 2026, Tyson names director Jeff Schomburger to succeed King as President and CEO effective October 4, 2026.

Risks & Weaknesses

Analytical Assessment

Primary Risk Factor

Tyson's biggest risk is margin volatility from cattle supply, livestock costs, labor, disease outbreaks, legal contingencies, and commodity cycles.

Risk assessment based on public filings, SWOT analysis, and verified industry data. Not financial advice.

How Did Tyson Foods Start and Grow?

Established

1935

Fiscal Revenue (FY2025)

$54.4B

Workforce

133K+

HQ Location

Springdale, Arkansas, United States

Key Turning Point

: The Strategic Shift That Created a Behemoth

Tyson closed multiple chicken plants in 2023-2024 to cut costs and improve utilization.

Explore Tyson Foods In Depth

Detailed research across every dimension of Tyson Foods — history, financials, leadership, and strategy.

Company History

Tyson Foods reported fiscal 2025 sales of $54.441 billion, GAAP operating income of $1.098 billion and net income attributable to Tyson of $474 million.

Full Tyson Foods history →

Revenue & Financials

Tyson Foods had $54.4B in revenue for fiscal year 2025. Data covers 10 fiscal years. Market capitalization stands at approximately $18B.

Tyson Foods financials →

Founders

Tyson Foods was founded by John W. Tyson in 1935 in Springdale, Arkansas, United States. Explore each founder's background, motivations, and their role in building the company.

Tyson Foods founders →

CEO & Leadership

Tyson Foods is currently led by Jeff Schomburger. Explore the full CEO history — leadership transitions, tenures, and the strategic decisions of each chief executive.

Tyson Foods CEO history →

Business Model

Tyson makes money by buying or raising animals, processing them into fresh and value-added products, and selling them to retailers, restaurant chains, foodservice distributors and export buyers.

How Tyson Foods makes money →

Acquisitions

Tyson Foods has completed 4 documented acquisitions. Explore the full acquisition history and strategic rationale behind each deal.

Tyson Foods acquisitions →

Competitive Strategy

Tyson's plan centers on chicken execution (better yields and value-added mix), prepared-foods brand growth, managing beef through the cattle cycle, plant network consolidation, automation, cost control and debt…

Tyson Foods strategy →

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 Research Profile

Our analysts compile business strategy profiles from public financial filings, press releases, and analyst reports. Each profile is reviewed for accuracy before publication by our editorial desk and updated on a rolling basis.

About the Author →Our Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions About Tyson Foods

How does Tyson Foods make money?

Tyson processes chicken, beef and pork and sells fresh meat, byproducts and branded prepared foods (Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park) to grocers, restaurant chains, foodservice distributors and export buyers. Fiscal 2025 sales were $54.44 billion.

Who owns Tyson Foods?

Tyson Foods is publicly traded on the NYSE under TSN, but the Tyson family controls the majority of voting power through Class B shares with 10 votes each, held mainly by the Tyson Limited Partnership. John H. Tyson, the founder's grandson, is chairman.

Who is the CEO of Tyson Foods?

Donnie King has been CEO since 2021. Jeff Schomburger, a former Procter & Gamble executive and Tyson director since 2016, succeeds him effective October 4, 2026.

Who are Tyson Foods' competitors?

Main competitors include JBS, Cargill, Pilgrim's Pride, National Beef, Smithfield Foods, Hormel Foods and Perdue Farms.

What was Tyson Foods' revenue in 2025?

Tyson reported fiscal 2025 sales of $54.441 billion, up 2.1%, with net income attributable to Tyson of $474 million.

How is Tyson doing in fiscal 2026?

For the nine months ended June 27, 2026, sales were $41.83 billion (up 3.1%), GAAP operating income $1.10 billion and free cash flow $913 million; beef remains pressured by tight cattle supply.

What brands does Tyson Foods own?

Brands include Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, State Fair and ibp.

Does Tyson Foods own Jimmy Dean?

Yes, Tyson Foods owns Jimmy Dean, as well as several other massive household meat brands including Hillshire Farm, Ball Park Franks, and State Fair.

Who founded Tyson Foods?

The massive meat empire was originally founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, who simply started by driving chickens from Arkansas to larger markets in Chicago during the Great Depression.

Analysis: How Tyson Foods, Inc. Makes Money

Deep dive into the Tyson Foods, Inc. business model, revenue streams, and strategic moats in 2026.

Competitor Benchmarking

Tyson Foods, Inc. vs Pilgrim's Pride Corporation

Compare

Financial data on this page is sourced from SEC EDGAR filings, official earnings releases, and verified press statements. Revenue figures are reviewed and updated periodically. Read our full data methodology ->

Primary source: www.tysonfoods.com/news/news-releases/2025/11/tyson-foods-re

Explore More Brand Histories

This corporate intelligence report on Tyson Foods, Inc. compiles data from verified filings. Explore more detailed brand histories and company histories in the global Food and protein processing marketplace.

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Editorial Methodology

Company Research

We use company filings, annual reports, company statements and press reports, with primary sources preferred where available. Each financial row shows its recorded source. Full-year figures are separated from annualized run-rates, partial periods and forecasts; unaudited figures carry a label. Source detail varies by company, so check the linked material when the reporting basis matters.

1. Primary Sources

Public companies may provide filings and annual reports. Private-company figures may come from statements or press coverage. A missing figure stays missing, and a source link should identify where its number came from.

2. Expert Curation

We organize company records and review claims for strategic context, source quality and clarity. Pages show a review date where one is recorded.

3. Multi-Pass Audit

Technical checks flag inconsistent figures and missing links. Editorial review of the underlying source remains necessary for claims those checks cannot verify.

Swet Parvadiya
SEC filings & public records methodology
Sourced from public financial records

Explore Related Pages for Tyson Foods, Inc.

History & FailuresTimeline, setbacks, and key milestonesBusiness ModelHow they make money and market productsFinancialsRevenue history and fiscal metricsCompetitive StrategyRivals, benchmarks, and SWOT analysis

Sources & References

The data and narrative synthesized in this intelligence report were verified against primary sources:

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.