# McCormick & Company

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/mccormick-company  
**Vertical:** Consumer Goods  
**Subcategory:** Enterprise  
**Tier:** Leader  
**Website:** mccormickcorporation.com  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

Hunt Valley MD global flavor leader (NYSE: MKC) at $6.72B FY2024 sales (+1%); McCormick/Old Bay/Frank's RedHot/French's brands, B2B Flavor Solutions for McDonald's and KFC, 2025 guidance 0-2% growth vs. Kraft Heinz.

## Company Overview

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a Hunt Valley, Maryland-based global leader in flavor — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MKC for voting shares, MKC.V for non-voting shares) as an S&P 500 Consumer Staples component — manufacturing, marketing, and distributing spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, hot sauces, and flavor solutions under the McCormick, Lawry's, Old Bay, French's, Frank's RedHot, Stubb's, Club House, Kamis, and dozens of other branded and private label names through approximately 12,000 employees in 160 countries. In fiscal year 2024 (ending November 2024), McCormick reported net sales of $6.72 billion (+1%), adjusted EPS of $2.95, and a return to volume-led growth after two years of volume softness as consumers adjusted to post-pandemic spice price increases. For fiscal year 2025, McCormick guided 0-2% net sales growth and adjusted EPS of $3.03-$3.08, reflecting a cautious but positive outlook as consumer spending on branded flavor products stabilizes. CEO Brendan Foley, who assumed the role in 2023 (with founder-family member Lawrence Kurzius transitioning to Executive Chairman), focuses McCormick's strategy on global flavor leadership across two segments: Consumer (branded retail spices, seasonings, condiments — approximately 58% of revenue) and Flavor Solutions (B2B flavoring for foodservice chains and food manufacturing — approximately 42% of revenue). McCormick's B2B Flavor Solutions segment supplies the proprietary flavor packets and seasoning mixes used in fast food chains (McDonald's dipping sauces, KFC's Original Recipe flavor system) under undisclosed relationships that are embedded in customers' core product recipes.

McCormick's flavor brand portfolio model creates pricing power through the category authority of its heritage brands: Old Bay seasoning (a blend of celery salt, paprika, and 16 spices created in Baltimore in 1939) commands a nearly monopolistic position in the crab cake, shrimp boil, and Chesapeake Bay seafood flavoring application — a $15+ jar at $8.99 per ounce that grocery shoppers buy without comparing to private label alternatives because Old Bay's blend is the authentic regional preparation standard. Frank's RedHot (the original Buffalo wing sauce recipe) similarly defines the Buffalo chicken flavor category, with consumer brand preference so strong that restaurant chains specifically advertise "made with Frank's RedHot" to validate authenticity. The Flavor Solutions segment's foodservice relationships (embedded in restaurant chain recipes) create switching costs because changing a flavor supplier requires full sensory panel re-evaluation and recipe reformulation at every franchise location — creating multi-year revenue stability on B2B flavor contracts.

In 2025, McCormick competes in global branded spices, hot sauces, and food flavors against Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC, competitive condiment portfolio — Heinz ketchup, Heinz mustard), Unilever (London/Amsterdam, Knorr seasoning and Hellmann's condiments globally), and private label spice manufacturers for grocery shelf space allocation and consumer brand preference in the $20B+ global retail spice and seasoning market. The return to volume growth in fiscal 2024 (after two years of volume-for-price trade-offs) validates McCormick's pricing strategy — the company raised prices 20%+ during 2022-2023 to offset commodity and logistics inflation, and consumer loyalty to the McCormick brand absorbed most of the increase without catastrophic volume loss. The Flavor Solutions segment's recovery in restaurant traffic (post-pandemic normalization of away-from-home eating) supports the B2B seasoning business that had faced headwinds during COVID-era reduced restaurant operations. The 2025 strategy focuses on driving additional volume growth through promotional activity in the Consumer segment, growing Flavor Solutions business in Asia (particularly China, where Western and fusion flavors are gaining restaurant application), and managing commodity cost (pepper, vanilla, cinnamon) inflation through forward purchasing and supply chain hedging.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is McCormick & Company?
McCormick & Company is the global leader in flavor, seasonings, and spices, manufacturing and distributing herbs, spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the entire food industry. Founded in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, McCormick operates across 150 countries with iconic brands including McCormick, Frank's RedHot, French's, Old Bay, Lawry's, and Zatarain's, generating $6.72 billion in annual revenue.

### When was McCormick & Company founded?
McCormick & Company was founded in 1889 by Willoughby M. McCormick in Baltimore, Maryland. The 25-year-old entrepreneur started the business with just $200, initially selling root beer, flavoring extracts, and fruit syrups door-to-door. The company entered the spice industry in 1896 with the acquisition of F.G. Emmett Spice Company.

### Where is McCormick & Company headquartered?
McCormick & Company is headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, just north of Baltimore where the company was originally founded in 1889. The company maintains its Maryland roots while operating manufacturing facilities in 27 countries and selling products across 150 countries and territories worldwide.

### What are McCormick's most popular brands?
McCormick's portfolio includes McCormick (the flagship spice brand), Frank's RedHot (the #1 hot sauce globally), French's (iconic yellow mustard), Old Bay (legendary seafood seasoning), Lawry's (premium seasonings and marinades), Zatarain's (New Orleans-style foods), Cholula (Mexican hot sauce), Stubb's (BBQ sauces), and many regional brands like Ducros, Schwartz, and Kamis.

### Who are McCormick's main competitors?
McCormick's main competitors include Kraft Heinz (condiments and sauces), Unilever (Knorr seasonings), Conagra Brands (spices and condiments), and private label brands. However, McCormick holds a commanding 20% market share of the global seasonings and spices market, making it four times as large as its nearest competitor.

### What was McCormick's largest acquisition?
McCormick's largest acquisition was the purchase of Reckitt Benckiser's Food Division in 2017 for $4.2 billion in cash. This historic deal added French's, Frank's RedHot, and Cattlemen's brands to McCormick's portfolio, with French's and Frank's RedHot becoming the second and third largest brands respectively behind the McCormick brand.

### How is McCormick addressing sustainability?
McCormick has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050, with this target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2023. The company also set a 42% absolute reduction target across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2030. McCormick implements regenerative agriculture practices, reduces packaging waste, and has been recognized as the world's 22nd most sustainable corporation.

### Does McCormick offer career opportunities?
Yes, McCormick employs approximately 14,100 people globally and offers careers in manufacturing, sales, marketing, research and development, supply chain, and corporate functions. The company provides competitive benefits, flexible work arrangements (hybrid and in-person options), professional development programs, and paid internships. Visit careers.mccormick.com for current openings.

### Where can I buy McCormick products?
McCormick products are available in grocery stores, supermarkets, and mass retailers worldwide. You can also purchase products online through major e-commerce platforms. Visit mccormick.com and use the 'Where to Buy' feature to find online retailers and nearby stores carrying specific products. Note that McCormick does not offer direct-to-consumer sales.

### How can I contact McCormick & Company?
For customer service inquiries, visit mccormick.com/pages/contact. For donation requests, email cdc@mccormick.com or mail to McCormick & Co., Inc., 24 Schilling Road, Suite 1, Hunt Valley, MD 21031, Attn: Charitable Donations Committee. For investor relations, visit ir.mccormick.com.

### What is McCormick's market position?
McCormick is the global leader in the flavor industry with 20% market share of the global seasonings and spices market. The company entered the Fortune 500 in 2021 and has been recognized as the #1 Herbs & Spices Brand in the World and #1 Hot Sauce Company in the World. In the U.S., McCormick accounts for 12.6% of the Seasoning, Sauce and Condiment Production industry revenue.

### How long do McCormick spices last?
Most McCormick spices and herbs have a shelf life of 2-3 years when stored properly in a cool, dry place away from heat and light. Ground spices typically last 2-3 years, while whole spices can last 3-4 years. Extracts can last up to 4 years. Check product packaging for specific expiration dates, and replace spices if they've lost their aroma or vibrant color.

## Tags

b2c, manufacturing, retailtech, public

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*