About Us

Joseph Campbell, a fruit merchant, and Abraham Anderson, an icebox manufacturer, form the business that would one day become Campbell Soup Company. They open their first plant in Camden, New Jersey.

Abraham Anderson leaves the partnership. Arthur Dorrance will join Campbell to form a new company in 1882.

Arthur Dorrance succeeds Joseph Campbell as President. Joseph Campbell retires, ending the association of the Campbell family with the company.

First can of Campbell’s ready-to-eat tomato soup introduced.

Dr. John T. Dorrance, a chemist at the company and nephew of then-president Arthur Dorrance, invents the formula for condensed soup. He creates five varieties, including Tomato.

A company executive attends the annual Cornell-Penn football game and is so taken with Cornell’s brilliant new red-and-white uniforms that he convinces Campbell to use the colors on soup labels.

The medallion that adorns the can was added after Campbell’s soups win a medal for product excellence at the Paris Exposition.

The Campbell Kids are “born” when a Philadelphia artist sketches them for a series of streetcar advertisements. Later, the Campbell Kids would be portrayed playing many roles, including army doctors during World War I and athletes training for the Winter Olympics.

Campbell launches its first national advertising campaign in Good Housekeeping.

Campbell’s soups achieve national distribution.

Dr. John T. Dorrance becomes president of the company. Dr. Dorrance would lead the company until his death in 1930.

Campbell acquires Franco-American Food Company, Campbell’s first acquisition.

America loves condensed soup so much that Campbell adopts “soup” as its middle name, officially changing the company name to Campbell Soup Company.

Arthur C. Dorrance becomes President of the company.

Campbell begins radio advertising, featuring the familiar “M’m! M’m! Good!” jingle. Campbell’s Tomato Juice launches nationally.

Campbell’s Chicken Noodle and Cream of Mushroom soups are introduced.

Margaret Rudkin, a Fairfield, Conn., wife and mother, founds Pepperidge Farm to produce and sell the breads she created when she could not find a wholesome loaf of commercial bread.

Campbell Test Kitchens open, developing recipes using condensed soups that become classics. Today, Campbell’s Kitchen continues this tradition. For great recipes and coupons visit us at www.campbellskitchen.com.

James McGowan, Jr. becomes President of the company.

Campbell acquires the V8 vegetable juice brand. Today, V8 is the leading vegetable juice in the United States.

First Campbell television commercials air. The company goes on to sponsor such highly-rated shows as “Lassie”” and “Peter Pan”.

William Beverley “Bev” Murphy becomes President of the company.

Campbell Soup Company goes public on the New York Stock Exchange.

Pepperidge Farm launches its Distinctive line of European-style cookies with evocative names such as Bordeaux and Brussels. The Milano brand is added the next year.

Campbell acquires C. A. Swanson & Sons of Omaha.

Campbell home economists and Dorcas Reilly develop the recipe for the Green Bean Bake, which continues today as one of the company’s most popular and most requested recipes.

Campbell opens a new corporate headquarters in Camden, New Jersey, and establishes an international division.

Campbell acquires Pepperidge Farm. A year later, Pepperidge Farm introduces Goldfish crackers, which today are among the world’s most popular snack crackers.

Following the acquisition of Pepperidge Farm in 1961, Margaret Rudkin became the first woman to serve on Campbell’s Board of Directors.

Pop artist Andy Warhol paints his first Campbell’s soup cans.

Campbell creates a food service division to serve restaurants and related establishments. Franco-American introduces SpaghettiOs pasta.

Campbell acquires North American distribution rights to Godiva, a premium Belgian candy. The company acquires the European Godiva candy companies in 1974. Godiva would later be sold to Yildiz Holding in 2008.

Campbell launches Chunky Soup. The brand has been the official soup sponsor of the NFL since 1997.

Harold A. Shaub becomes President of the company.

Vlasic Foods, Inc., maker of pickles and relishes, is acquired. The Vlasic business would later be part of a spin-off in 1998.

R. Gordon McGovern becomes President and CEO of the company.

Campbell introduces Prego pasta sauces, based on a Campbell chef’s favorite family recipe.

Campbell’s Home Cookin’ soups introduced. These soups would become Campbell’s Homestyle soups in 2013.

In January, the 20 billionth can of Campbell’s Condensed Tomato soup is produced. Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Broccoli soup becomes the company’s most successful new soup introduction in 55 years.

David W. Johnson becomes President and CEO of the company.

Campbell’s Healthy Request soups are introduced, originally launched in 1985 as Campbell’s Special Request.

Campbell celebrates its 125th anniversary. Campbell’s soups remain a favorite with a presence in over 80 percent of U.S. household pantries.

Campbell acquires Pace Foods, a leading producer of Mexican sauces.

Dale F. Morrison becomes President and CEO of the company.

Campbell fully acquires Arnott’s of Australia, a large biscuit manufacturer. Campbell would go on to sell Arnott’s in 2019.

Campbell acquires Fortun Foods, makers of StockPot soup, a market leader in premium refrigerated soups. Campbell introduces Campbell’s Soup To Go microwavable soups.

Campbell’s ready-to-serve soups debut with easy-open pop-top lids.

David W. Johnson becomes President and CEO of the company.

Douglas R. Conant becomes President and CEO of the company.

Campbell introduces Campbell’s Soup at Hand, a convenient soup for on the go eating. These soups become Campbell’s Soup on the Go in 2012.

Campbell launches limited-edition cans of Campbell’s® Condensed soup with Andy Warhol-inspired labels. In 2012, the company launches a new limited-edition series of cans of Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato soup with Warhol-inspired labels to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the artist’s work.

Campbell’s Condensed soup can label is redesigned for a more contemporary look and to provide more space to feature the images of the soups consumers love.

The Campbell Employee Center opens at Campbell World Headquarters in its hometown of Camden, N.J.

Denise Morrison becomes President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company.

Campbell acquires Bolthouse Farms, a market leader in growing and distributing carrots, as well as super-premium juices, smoothies, protein shakes and café beverages. Campbell would go on to sell Bolthouse Farms in 2019.

Campbell acquires Plum Organics, a leading provider of premium, organic foods and snacks that serve the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers and children.

in 2014, we declared our purpose. These seven simple words have had a profound impact on our organization.

Campbell acquires Garden Fresh Gourmet, a provider of refrigerated salsa, hummus, dips, and tortilla chips in North America. Campbell would go on to sell Garden Fresh Gourmet in 2019.

Guided by our purpose, focused on the future and inspired by the proud legacy of Dr. John Dorrance, we carefully crafted our Real Food Philosophy to further define food at Campbell.

To truly become a purpose-driven organization and drive innovation that defines the future of real food, we need to challenge ourselves to reinvent our culture and affirm the values and behaviors of who we want to be.

Campbell acquires Pacific Foods, maker of natural and organic broths, soups, plant-based beverages and meals.

Campbell acquires Snyder’s-Lance, a leading snacking company with well-known brands like Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, Kettle, Cape Cod and Late July.

Keith R. McLoughlin becomes Campbell’s interim President and CEO. McLoughlin goes on to become Campbell’s Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2019.

Mark A. Clouse becomes Campbell’s 14th President and CEO.

Campbell announces a new operating model with two businesses, Campbell Snacks and Campbell Meal & Beverages, in North America, where we have iconic brands and strong market positions.

Campbell celebrates 150 years of making delicious and affordable food for all.