McCain Foods: From humble potatoes to an international brand
McCain Foods, the world’s leading potato producers has since 1957 grown from one farm in Canada to an international potato brand. How is that possible? What can we learn from that?
This is McCain
McCain[i] now has 51 plants around the globe and makes 1 in every 4 French fries worldwide! McCain Foos have the capacity to produce over 500.000 kilos of potato products per hour across their global processing plants.
Origins and Growth
The brothers Harrison and Wallace McCain, who founded McCain Foods in 1957, came from a farming family in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada. They grew up on a farm and had a connection to agriculture, which inspired them to start the company that is now the world's largest producers of processed potato products.
The brothers looked to create a business that would process and sell frozen French fries. Their vision was to capitalize on the growing demand for convenient, packaged potato products, and they quickly gained success.
Over the decades, McCain expanded its operations both domestically and internationally, setting up production facilities in the United States, Europe, and other regions, and the family is still controlling owner.
Frozen products
McCain’s product portfolio is primarily focused on frozen potato products, including French fries, hash browns, potato wedges, and other snacks.
The company has continually innovated to meet changing consumer preferences, such as offering organic, gluten-free, and health-conscious options.
Their products are popular in both retail settings—supermarkets and grocery stores—and foodservice outlets like restaurants and fast-food chains.
Global Influence and Market Presence
While rooted in Canada, McCain Foods is a truly global company, with manufacturing facilities and sales operations spanning six continents.
Despite this international reach, the company keeps a strong Canadian identity, contributing significantly to the local economy and employment.
Sustainability and Future Outlook
Sustainability stays a core focus for McCain. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste across its operations. (“Understanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its - Course Hero”).
It also emphasizes responsible sourcing, ensuring that its supply chain adheres to ethical and environmental standards.
Looking ahead, McCain continues to invest in research for sustainable farming practices, new product development, and expanding its market reach. As consumer preferences evolve towards healthier and more sustainable foods, McCain aims to stay at the forefront by innovating and adapting.
Five success drivers
McCain Foods is a quintessential Canadian success story—rooted in local agriculture, driven by innovation, and influential on a global scale. Its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community engagement underscores its position as a world leader in the potato industry.
How is it possible to build an international brand on potatoes?
Of course, the explanation is complex. Hower, we see five clear explanatory factors that stand out:
1. Universal Appeal
Potatoes are one of the most widely consumed staple foods globally. From French fries in America to mashed potatoes in Europe and samosas in India, potatoes seamlessly integrate into diverse cuisines.
2. Scalability & Supply Chain Mastery
McCain built an efficient global supply chain, sourcing potatoes from local farms, ensuring freshness and adapting to regional tastes. Their partnerships with farmers and streamlined distribution networks allowed massive growth.
3. Brand Recognition & Innovation
Rather than just selling potatoes, McCain turned them into high-value products: French fries, hash browns, potato wedges. They invested in branding, marketing, and technology to perfect texture, crispiness, and flavour.
4. Fast Food & Restaurant Dependency
McCain capitalized on partnerships with fast food chains, where fries became essential. Being a leading supplier for McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King gave McCain unparalleled reach.
5. Sustainability & Consumer Trust
In recent years, sustainability efforts—like reducing food waste, minimizing water usage, and shifting toward regenerative agriculture—have strengthened their reputation.
From commodity to commerce cornerstone
So, while potatoes might seem like a simple ingredient, McCain transformed them into a global empire by mastering efficiency, branding, and market adaptation.
In essence, McCain Foods shows that building an international brand on potatoes—or any seemingly simple product—is possible when a company powers the inherent appeal of its raw materials, combines this with operational excellence in supply chain and processing, innovates relentlessly in product and branding, and forms strong partnerships that magnify its distribution.
They transform an everyday commodity into a cornerstone of global commerce, proving that even the simplest things can become extraordinary with the right strategies.
It’s worth considering how these principles might apply to other traditional industries seeking global expansion. How could emerging technologies further improve supply chain efficiencies or refine consumer engagement in the food sector? And what lessons can other brands learn from McCain’s blend of innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships in creating a lasting, international impact?
Sources: Google, McCain, FT.
[i] Most Norwegians have never heard of McCain. The reason is simple. The market is closed to foreign producers through prohibitive tariffs and taxes.