Campbell's vs Conagra Brands: Founders, CEOs and History
Campbell's was founded in 1869 by Joseph A. Campbell, Abraham Anderson and is led by Mick J. Beekhuizen. Conagra Brands was founded in 1919 by Alva Kinney and is led by John Brase.
Company facts
Campbell's
- Founded
- 1869
- Headquarters
- Camden, New Jersey
- Current CEO
- Mick J. Beekhuizen
- Employees
- 13,700
Conagra Brands
- Founded
- 1919
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Current CEO
- John Brase
- Employees
- 17,400
Founders
Campbell's
Joseph A. Campbell
Campbell and Anderson's partnership packed tomatoes, vegetables, jellies, condiments and mincemeat from the farms around Camden. After Anderson left in 1876 the firm carried Campbell's name, and in 1894 Arthur Dorrance became president.
Abraham Anderson
Anderson brought manufacturing experience to the 1869 partnership, which canned seasonal New Jersey produce. He left in 1876, and the business was reorganized under Campbell's name.
Conagra Brands
Alva Kinney
Alva Kinney is credited with founding Nebraska Consolidated Mills in 1919 by combining four flour mills in Nebraska, with the company based in Omaha. Consolidation gave the mills more purchasing and selling scale against larger milling companies.
CEOs and their tenures
Campbell's
- Douglas Conant2001–2011
Former President and CEO
Led Campbell's from 2001 to 2011 and is known for rebuilding employee engagement and stabilizing the soup business after a period of declining share.
Source - Denise Morrison2011–2018
Former President and CEO
Led Campbell's from 2011 to 2018, bought Bolthouse Farms, Pacific Foods and Snyder's-Lance, and created the Campbell Fresh division whose problems preceded her departure in May 2018.
Source - Keith R. McLoughlin2018–2019
Former interim President and CEO; Chair of the Board
Ran the company on an interim basis from May 2018, after Denise Morrison's exit, until Mark Clouse arrived in January 2019, and later became chair of the board.
Source - Mark Clouse2019–2025
Former President and Chief Executive Officer
Former Pinnacle Foods CEO who joined in January 2019, sold the international and fresh businesses, integrated Snyder's-Lance, bought Sovos Brands and led the move to Nasdaq and the name change.
Source - Mick J. Beekhuizen2025–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Joined as CFO in 2019, became president of Meals & Beverages in late 2022 and CEO on February 1, 2025.
Source
Conagra Brands
- Charles "Mike" Harper1974–1992
Former Chairman and CEO
Rescued ConAgra from near-bankruptcy and expanded it through acquisitions such as Banquet and Beatrice; championed the Healthy Choice launch.
Source - Gary Rodkin2005–2015
Former CEO
Sold commodity businesses and led the Ralcorp acquisition.
Source - Sean Connolly2015–2026
Former President and CEO
Sold the private-label business, spun off Lamb Weston, moved headquarters to Chicago, and bought Pinnacle Foods.
Source - John Brase2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Former J.M. Smucker president and COO and 30-year Procter & Gamble veteran; became CEO June 1, 2026, and launched a margin, reinvestment, and deleveraging plan that included a 50% dividend cut.
Source
Timeline: Campbell's and Conagra Brands side by side
1869Campbell's
Anderson and Campbell start canning in Camden
Joseph A. Campbell and Abraham Anderson start a canning business in Camden, New Jersey, packing tomatoes, vegetables, jellies and mincemeat.
1897Campbell's
Condensed soup is developed
Chemist John T. Dorrance, nephew of company head Arthur Dorrance, develops condensed soup, which the company sells for 10 cents a can.
1898Campbell's
Red-and-white label adopted
The company adopts the red-and-white can label, which it says was inspired by the Cornell University football team's uniforms.
1900Campbell's
Gold medal at the Paris Exposition
Campbell's condensed soup wins a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition; the medallion still appears on the label.
1919Conagra Brands
Nebraska Consolidated Mills founded
Alva Kinney merges four Nebraska flour mills into Nebraska Consolidated Mills, based in Omaha.
1922Campbell's
Renamed Campbell Soup Company
The business formally takes the name Campbell Soup Company, which it keeps until 2024.
1951Conagra Brands
Duncan Hines cake mix acquired
The miller enters branded consumer foods with Duncan Hines, then sells the brand to Procter & Gamble in 1956 to fund expansion.
1954Campbell's
Shares offered to the public
The Dorrance-controlled company sells shares to the public for the first time.
1955Campbell's
Swanson acquired
Campbell's buys C.A. Swanson & Sons, adding the Swanson broth and frozen dinner brands.
1961Campbell's
Pepperidge Farm acquired
Campbell's buys Pepperidge Farm, founded by Margaret Rudkin in 1937; Rudkin joins the Campbell's board. Goldfish crackers follow in the U.S. in 1962.
1971Conagra Brands
Renamed ConAgra
The company adopts the ConAgra name as it diversifies beyond flour milling.
1980Conagra Brands
Banquet Foods acquired
ConAgra buys Banquet, its first major frozen-food brand, under CEO Mike Harper.
1990Conagra Brands
Beatrice Foods acquired
The Beatrice deal adds Hunt's, Orville Redenbacher's, Swiss Miss, Reddi-wip, and other brands.
1995Campbell's
Pace Foods acquired
Campbell's completes its $1.115 billion purchase of Pace Foods, maker of Pace picante sauce and salsa.
2013Conagra Brands
Ralcorp acquired
ConAgra closes its roughly $5 billion purchase of private-label maker Ralcorp, a deal it later reversed.
2016Conagra Brands
Private Brands sold, Lamb Weston spun off, renamed Conagra Brands
Under CEO Sean Connolly the company sells the Ralcorp private-label business to TreeHouse Foods, spins off Lamb Weston, moves headquarters to Chicago, and becomes Conagra Brands.
2018Campbell's
Snyder's-Lance acquired
Campbell's completes the $6.1 billion acquisition of Snyder's-Lance, adding Snyder's of Hanover, Lance, Cape Cod, Kettle Brand, Late July and Snack Factory.
2018Conagra Brands
Pinnacle Foods acquired
Conagra closes the roughly $10.9 billion (including debt) acquisition of Pinnacle Foods, adding Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Vlasic, Gardein, and Wish-Bone.
2019Campbell's
International and fresh businesses sold
Under new CEO Mark Clouse, Campbell's sells Arnott's and other international operations to KKR for $2.2 billion, sells Kelsen to Ferrero and sells Bolthouse Farms for $510 million to pay down debt.
2024Campbell's
Sovos Brands and Rao's acquired
Campbell's completes the $2.7 billion purchase of Sovos Brands on March 12, 2024, adding Rao's, Michael Angelo's and noosa.
2024Campbell's
Listing moves to Nasdaq and name changes
Shares move from the NYSE to Nasdaq on August 19, 2024, and shareholders approve the name The Campbell's Company in November 2024.
2025Campbell's
Mick Beekhuizen becomes CEO
Mick Beekhuizen, previously CFO and president of Meals & Beverages, becomes President and CEO on February 1, 2025, succeeding Mark Clouse.
2025Campbell's
Fiscal 2025 net sales reach $10.253 billion
Fiscal 2025, a 53-week year with the first full year of Sovos Brands, ends with $10.253 billion of net sales and $602 million of net earnings.
2025Conagra Brands
Chef Boyardee divested
Conagra completes the sale of Chef Boyardee to Hometown Food Company for about $600 million.
2026Campbell's
49% of La Regina acquired
On May 4, 2026 Campbell's completes the $286 million purchase of 49% of La Regina, the Italian company that makes all Rao's tomato-based sauces.
2026Campbell's
Fiscal 2026 results and dividend reset
Fiscal 2026 net sales fall 5% to $9.744 billion; on September 3, 2026 Campbell's cuts the quarterly dividend 36% to $0.25 and launches a $500 million cost-savings program.
2026Conagra Brands
John Brase becomes CEO; dividend cut 50%
Former J.M. Smucker COO John Brase succeeds Sean Connolly on June 1, 2026. In July the company reports $11.28 billion in FY2026 net sales and halves its dividend to $0.70 a year.
Acquisitions
Campbell's
- La Regina di San Marzano and La Regina Atlantica (49% stake)2026$286M
- Sovos Brands (Rao's Homemade)2024$2.7B
- Snyder's-Lance, Inc.2018$6.1B
- Pacific Foods of Oregon2017$700M
- Bolthouse Farms2012$1.6B
- Pace Foods1995$1.1B
Conagra Brands
- Pinnacle Foods2018$10.9B
- Angie's Artisan Treats (BOOMCHICKAPOP)2017Undisclosed
- Ralcorp Holdings2013$6.8B
- Beatrice Foods1990Undisclosed
- Banquet Foods1980Undisclosed
Questions about Campbell's vs Conagra Brands
Who is the CEO of The Campbell's Company and Conagra Brands, Inc.?
The Campbell's Company is led by Mick J. Beekhuizen and Conagra Brands, Inc. is led by John Brase. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was The Campbell's Company founded vs Conagra Brands, Inc.?
The Campbell's Company was founded in 1869 — 50 years before Conagra Brands, Inc., which was founded in 1919. The Campbell's Company's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Conagra Brands, Inc..
How many employees does The Campbell's Company have compared to Conagra Brands, Inc.?
The Campbell's Company employs approximately 13,700 people, while Conagra Brands, Inc. employs approximately 17,400. Conagra Brands, Inc. has the larger workforce at 17,400 employees, compared to The Campbell's Company's 13,700. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are The Campbell's Company and Conagra Brands, Inc. headquartered?
Both The Campbell's Company and Conagra Brands, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded The Campbell's Company and Conagra Brands, Inc.?
The Campbell's Company was founded by Joseph A. Campbell, Abraham Anderson. Conagra Brands, Inc. was founded by Alva Kinney.
Which company has a longer operating history — The Campbell's Company or Conagra Brands, Inc.?
The Campbell's Company has been operating for approximately 157 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Conagra Brands, Inc. has been in operation for around 107 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Campbell's vs Conagra Brands overview