Hickory Farms
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food retail |
| Founded | January 1, 1951 in Maumee, Ohio, U.S. |
| Founder | Richard Ransom |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | United States and Canada |
Key people | Judy Ransford (CEO) |
| Products | Gift boxes and baskets, wine-related gifts, chocolates, charcuterie selections |
| Owner | Modjule LLC |
| Parent | Modjule LLC |
| Website | www |
Hickory Farms, LLC is a U.S.-based retailer specializing in food gifts, with its main office located in Chicago. The company was established in 1951 by Richard Ransom, initially offering handcrafted cheese at local fairs. By 1959, the product range expanded to include summer sausage, and the business launched its inaugural retail store in Maumee, Ohio. By 1981, Hickory Farms had grown to operate more than 1,000 stores and seasonal kiosks throughout the United States and Canada.
In the year 2000, the company transitioned away from permanent mall locations, focusing instead on online and catalog sales. This led to the closure of all remaining mall outlets while continuing to operate seasonal kiosks and pop-up shops during holiday periods.
Hickory Farms moved its headquarters from Toledo, Ohio to Chicago in 2017. The parent company, Modjule LLC, is also headquartered in Chicago.
In 2021, Hickory Farms expanded its portfolio by acquiring Wicked Good Cupcakes, a brand that had been gaining traction since its inception in 2013.
Judy Ransford was named CEO in 2022. Since joining in 2016 as Chief Marketing Officer and head of e-commerce, she has played a key role in advancing the company’s digital transformation and brand modernization efforts.
Currently, Hickory Farms focuses on gift boxes and baskets, wine-related gifts, chocolates, and charcuterie selections. Its products are offered through over 500 seasonal pop-up shops and kiosks nationwide. The company employs a multichannel marketing approach to ensure year-round availability across diverse sales platforms.