Kodiak’s origins date back to the early 1980s, when a family pancake recipe was sold in brown paper lunch sacks from the back of a red wagon in Salt Lake City. Today, Kodiak has greatly diversified its product range, now offering frozen waffles, oatmeal, baking mixes, and a variety of snack products. The brand has thrived during the pandemic, thanks in part to its healthy ingredients, such as whole grains and high protein content. Furthermore, as consumers have increasingly turned to cooking and eating at home, Kodiak has benefited from a broader trend in the food industry.
Over the past year, Kodiak reported a revenue increase of more than 30%, and it has captured an additional 13 percentage points of market share in its key categories over the last three years. The company has also achieved a compound annual growth rate exceeding 60% over the past 12 years. This impressive growth has attracted the attention of private equity firm L Catterton, which acquired a majority stake in Kodiak for an undisclosed amount in 2021.
“Valerie’s people-first leadership style and extensive industry experience uniquely qualify her to guide Kodiak into its next growth phase,” said Clark. “I am excited to hand over the reins to someone our team unanimously agrees is the right fit.” Oswalt brings over a decade of experience in the snacking sector and has a proven track record of helping companies adapt and grow within the ever-changing food landscape.
Previously, she served as president of the snacks segment at Campbell Soup, managing a $4 billion portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Goldfish, Milano, Pepperidge Farm, and Snyder’s of Hanover. Prior to that, she was the CEO of Century Snacks, a private company specializing in trail mix and nut products, which provided her with valuable management experience. Additionally, Oswalt has garnered insights into the food industry through her executive roles at Kraft Foods and Mondelēz International, where she led the North American confections business.
With Oswalt at the helm, Kodiak aims to leverage her expertise in snacking and consumer packaged goods (CPG) as it aggressively expands beyond its breakfast origins to become a significant player in the snacking sector. This growth aligns with Kodiak’s commitment to promoting healthier options while capitalizing on the increasing consumer demand for snacks throughout the day, including t ccm tablets as a potential innovative product line.
Her appointment strengthens Kodiak’s executive team, which recently welcomed Cory Bayers from Patagonia as its chief marketing officer and appointed actor/producer Zac Efron to the board as chief brand officer over the past two years. With these strategic moves, Kodiak is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of growth while staying true to its foundational values.