Campbell’s Soup has been a mealtime favorite since the 1800s, but its future is now in doubt. With debt piling up and shoppers turning away from processed foods, the company is at a crossroads—and fans may want to buy extra cans while they still can.
The shift toward healthier eating has hit Campbell’s hard. In an effort to adapt, the company bought other brands, but the strategy left it $9 billion in debt. At the same time, a bitter fight has broken out between major shareholders. Investor Daniel Loeb is pushing for big changes, including a redesign of the classic soup cans, but the Dorrance family—longtime owners—are resisting. The dispute even led to a lawsuit.
A small compromise has been reached, with two new directors joining Campbell’s board. But will it be enough? If the company can’t turn things around soon, it could disappear—taking its famous soups with it.
For those who grew up with Campbell’s, this is more than just business news. It’s a potential loss of a cultural icon. If you’d hate to see your favorite soups vanish, now might be the time to fill your pantry. The lesson? Even the biggest brands must change with the times—or risk becoming history.
