StarKist Co. has secured a place on Newsweek's Most Loved Brands in America 2027 list, landing in the Food & Beverages category after being scored by more than 23,000 U.S. consumers across five performance measures: brand love, brand affinity, purchase intent, brand credibility, and reliability.
The Methodology
The ranking evaluated more than 4,800 brands across 42 industries, with Plant-A Insights Group serving as research partner. Consumer evaluations were supplemented by media monitoring and expert validation before the final 500 brands were selected. For operators and buyers assessing shelf-stable protein trends in foodservice, the methodology offers a useful signal: credibility and reliability — not just awareness — are what sustain consumer preference in the packaged protein segment.
What It Means for the Brand
StarKist has built its retail presence on convenient, single-serve formats, most notably its Creations® pouch line, which now spans more than 40 varieties across tuna, salmon, and chicken. The brand introduced single-serve pouches as a category first, and that positioning continues to inform its product development approach. Michael Merritt Jr., Vice President and Head of Marketing & Innovation at StarKist, noted that the recognition reflects the trust consumers have extended to the brand across generations, and said it reinforces the company's focus on delivering convenient, high-quality protein options.
For foodservice operators and retail buyers tracking packaged protein and consumer brand equity, StarKist's consistent cross-demographic loyalty is worth noting. The brand's Charlie the Tuna® mascot has been part of the cultural landscape since 1961, lending it a durability that newer shelf-stable protein entrants have yet to replicate. That legacy, combined with ongoing product innovation, positions StarKist competitively in a segment seeing sustained demand as consumers prioritize affordable, protein-dense options.
Beyond the Product
StarKist's recognition also reflects activity beyond its product portfolio. The company maintains community initiatives targeting hunger relief, support for Korean War veterans, and programs for children battling cancer — efforts that company leadership frames as central to its broader brand identity, not ancillary CSR. For hospitality and foodservice professionals evaluating supplier partnerships, that community investment layer increasingly factors into sourcing and co-branding decisions.
StarKist Co. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd. Coverage of brand equity and consumer trust metrics in food and beverage is tracked regularly by Food & Beverage Magazine, a sister publication covering the broader industry landscape.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
