At Archer, we make no-brainer, no-compromise, deliciously satisfying meat snacks for anyone and any moment. Our jerky, sticks, and sausages are made from real ingredients like 100% grass-fed beef and all-natural turkey, seasoned with real herbs, spices, and high-quality marinades. Perfect for kids, these bite-sized snacks are free of sugar, artificial flavors, preservatives, MSG, and nitrates/nitrites.
Founding Story
Eugene Kang’s jerky obsession started young, stocking shelves at his family’s convenience stores scattered across Southern California’s deserts. As a Korean-American kid handling some of the day-to-day hustle of a business, he not only caught the entrepreneurship bug from his parents, but he also had a front row seat to the evolution of the jerky category.
While on a trip to the Grand Canyon, Eugene took a life-changing bite of jerky at a roadside stand. Blown away by its taste and quality, he tracked down the manufacturer, who had a small San Bernardino-based facility, and purchased the business. The rest, as they say, is history.
Eugene Kang’s journey started in his Korean immigrant parents’ Los Angeles convenience stores where he learned the value of food, community and hard work. Later, on a spring break road trip, he discovered a delicious, hand-crafted beef jerky stand and returned home with an idea that soon became a full-fledged company. He acquired Archer (then Country Archer Provisions) when he was only 22 years old. Fourteen years later, Archer is the No. 1 premium jerky brand in the U.S., known for its real, responsibly sourced ingredients and clean-label products that stand out in a crowded market. Archer’s explosive success is a driving force in the growth of the overall meat snack category.
Under Kang’s leadership, Archer’s 90% year-over-year growth in 2024 outpaced the category's 5.8% growth[i],, and the company is on track for $500 million in top-line revenue by the end of 2026.
A pivotal moment for the company came in 2017 when Kang made the decision to expand Archer’s product portfolio from jerky to meat sticks – that bet is paying off; the stick business is booming. In 2024, Archer’s meat stick sales grew by 187.4%, making the company one of the primary drivers of the overall meat stick category's growth[ii].
In the first half of 2025, under Kang’s leadership, the company underwent a bold brand refresh, which elevated it in a competitive marketplace. Archer also announced a sponsorship of the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers, which brought Archer products to concession stands throughout Dodger Stadium. In the second half of the year, the company will launch its first national marketing campaign and open its second manufacturing facility that will nearly double its production to meet surging demand and further vertically integrate its operations, an approach Kang strongly champions.
Kang holds a coveted spot as a Forbes 30 Under 30 All Star Alumnus and is frequently tapped by top-tier press for his leadership expertise and commentary on industry trends. He’s been featured in ABC News,Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune, GoodMorningAmerica.com, Inc., Los Angeles Times, Money Magazine and many more. Under his leadership, Archer has also been ranked on the Inc. 500 Regionals (Pacific) and Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. for multiple years running.
[i] SPINS, Total U.S., latest 24 weeks ending 12/19/24
Andrew Thomas is an accomplished marketing executive with over 15 years of experience in the CPG food and beverage industry. He is known for his strategic thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, and ability to drive profitable growth through innovative marketing and brand management.
Before joining Archer, Thomas held marketing leadership roles at several top CPG companies, including VP of Marketing at Wilde Chips, VP of Marketing at Chicken of the Sea, and VP of Brand Marketing at Soylent, where he led a variety of successful marketing and product development initiatives. He also served as Director of Marketing at PepsiCo, working on key brands like KeVita, Naked Juice, and IZZE Sparkling Juice, driving growth and market expansion across these portfolios.
At Archer, Thomas has spearheaded extensive research efforts to gain deeper insights into consumer segments within the meat snack category. His work has been crucial in defining the brand's target consumer and setting the stage for the launch of a distinctive, ownable brand identity.
A dynamic and engaging speaker, Thomas captivates audiences with his forward-thinking approach to marketing and branding. His unique blend of practical experience and visionary insights make him invaluable for those looking to understand the future of CPG, consumer behavior, and innovative marketing strategies and who want actionable takeaways that inspire and challenge the status quo.
