Our History

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.

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

Arthur Dorrance succeeds Joseph Campbell as President. 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, which remains one of the top 10 shelf-stable food items sold in U.S. grocery stores today.

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. Over the years, the Campbell Kids would be portrayed playing many roles, including army doctors during World War One and athletes training for the 2010 Winter Games.

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. These two soups also remain among the top 10 shelf-stable food items sold in grocery stores today.

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-rs 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 home economists 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. Two years later, the company enters Australia and Mexico.

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

John T. Dorrance, Jr., the son of Dr. John T. Dorrance, becomes Chairman of the Board. 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’s Chunky ready-to-serve soups are introduced.

Harold A. Shaub becomes President of the company.

Campbell introduces Labels for Education, a program which allows schools and community groups to redeem labels from Campbell products for computers, sports equipment, musical instruments and more.

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 purchases Arnott’s Limited of Australia, a large biscuit manufacturer.

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. Campbell acquires a controlling interest in a joint venture with privately-owned Cheong Chan (Hup Kee) Sdn. Bhd. of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, giving Campbell its first production site in Southeast Asia.

Campbell acquires Erasco Group, Germany’s leading canned soup company. Swanson Chicken broth in resealable cartons is introduced.

Campbell acquires Liebig, the leading wet soup brand in France. In the United States, Campbell introduces V8 Splash, a tropical fruit juice blend made with carrot juice. Dale F. Morrison becomes President and CEO of the company.

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 premiere. Easy-open pop-top lids are available on Campbell’s ready-to-serve soups. David W. Johnson becomes Acting President 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.

V8 V-Fusion 100% fruit and vegetable juices introduced.

Campbell partners with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement to raise funds and help educate people about the No. 1 killer of women, heart disease.

Campbell’s Swanson broth debuts in the People’s Republic of China.

Pepperidge Farm acquires Ecce Panis, a leading producer of premium-quality artisan breads, and introduces Deli Flats lower-calorie sandwich rolls.

The Campbell Employee Center opens at Campbell World Headquarters in its hometown of Camden, N.J. 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. Our three icon flavors, Chicken Noodle, Cream of Mushroom and Tomato, retain the classic red-and-white label design.

Denise Morrison becomes President and CEO of Campbell Soup Company. She is the 12th in the company’s history and the first female CEO. Swanson Flavor Boost concentrated broth debuts. Campbell’s Slow Kettle Style soups debut in modern packaging to provide the "just like homemade" experience and the convenience of a ready-to-serve soup. They are made by combining distinctive ingredients and slowly simmered to develop rich flavors.

Campbell acquires Bolthouse Farms, a market leader in growing and distributing carrots, as well as super-premium juices, smoothies, protein shakes and café beverages. Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish brand celebrates 50 Years of Smiles. Campbell’s Go soup and Skillet Sauces launch in innovative pouches.

Campbell acquires Plum Organics, a leading provider of premium, organic foods and snacks that serve the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers and children. Campbell acquires Kelsen Group, a producer of quality baked snacks, including the Kjeldsens and Royal Dansk brands, sold in 85 countries around the world. Campbell announces the sale of its European simple meals business.