Randy Johnson Named CEO of The Farmer Companies

The Farmer Companies has appointed Randy Johnson as chief executive officer following a $17 million Series A financing led by Raff Ventures, with AJAX Capital Partners also participating. Johnson succeeds founder Adam Farmer, who will remain chairman. The company owns WHISPS® and has an exclusive licensing partnership with Cabot Creamery® to produce Cabot Creamery Popcorn. The financing will support manufacturing partnerships, national distribution, and strategic acquisitions.

Leadership Change After Financing

Johnson takes over as The Farmer Companies works to build its premium cheese snacking business through owned and licensed brands. Farmer will remain active as chairman and will focus on finding brands made with premium ingredients and creating flavors.

“Under Randy's leadership, Dot's Pretzels became one of the greatest success stories in snacking history. Randy set Dot's up for a strategic next step, and led the company through its transformational growth phase. Bringing him on means The Farmer Companies can build toward our goal of redefining cheese snacking for the next generation. Our business model is clear; we make the highest-quality cheese snacks with the best cheeses in the world.  Randy is leading our business to new heights.”

Snack Brand Growth Experience

Before joining The Farmer Companies, Johnson led Dot’s Pretzels. The release says annual sales rose from $19 million to $250 million in three years before Hershey acquired the business for $1.2 billion in 2021.

“I'm excited to help build one of North America's great consumer products companies. Adam has already proven this category has room to grow. My job is to help it scale.”

Cheese Snack Portfolio

The company’s portfolio includes WHISPS, a 100% cheese crisp brand, and Cabot Creamery Popcorn. The release describes Cabot Creamery Popcorn as the fastest-growing popcorn brand in U.S. Food among the top 13 brands tracked by NielsenIQ.

The Series A proceeds are earmarked for manufacturing partnerships, national distribution, and strategic acquisitions as The Farmer Companies expands its owned and licensed cheese snack brands.

Premium Snacking Plans

The appointment gives The Farmer Companies a snack industry executive as it invests in its cheese snacking portfolio. Its current strategy centers on WHISPS Cheese Crisps and Cabot Creamery Popcorn, with an emphasis on premium ingredients, cheese partners, and product development.