Founder Profile
John W. Tyson
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is John W. Tyson?
John W. Tyson is a founder of Tyson Foods, Inc., which was founded in 1935.
- Company founded
- Tyson Foods, Inc.
- Founded
- 1935
Background
John W. Tyson hauled hay and fruit by truck in the early 1930s before moving into live-poultry hauling from northwest Arkansas.
Founding Story
John W. Tyson moved to Springdale, Arkansas, and in 1935 began trucking live chickens to buyers in Midwestern cities. He expanded into feed and hatcheries, incorporating Tyson Feed & Hatchery in 1947, and led the business until his death in 1967, after which his son Don Tyson took over.