Annie Chun
Annie Chun | |
|---|---|
| Born | Seoul, South Korea |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Founding Annie Chun's |
| Children | 2 |
Annie Chun is an American entrepreneur. She is the founder of Annie Chun's, an Asian food brand that sold to CJ Foods in 2009, and gimMe Seaweed.[1][2]
Early life
Annie Chun was born and raised in central Seoul.[3][4] In the late 1970s, Chun immigrated[5] to San Francisco, where her family owned a Korean restaurant.[6]
Career
In 1991, Chun began selling homemade Asian-inspired sauces at farmers' markets in Marin County.[7] In 1992, she founded Annie Chun's Gourmet Foods with Stephen "Steve" Broad, her husband.[8]
In 2005, CJ Foods, a subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang, acquired a 70% stake in Annie Chun's for US$6.1 million.[9] Annie Chun's offers Asian-style food products, including noodles, soups, sauces and snacks.[10]
In 2009, Annie Chun's was sold to CJ Foods.[2]
In 2012, Chun and Broad founded gimMe Health Foods, best known for the gimMe Seaweed product.[11] As of May 2024, it is the top-selling seaweed snack on Amazon.[12][13]
Personal life
With Steve Broad, Chun has two children: one son and one daughter.[4][2]
Recognition
In 2024, Chun was included on Inc.'s Female Founders 250 list.[13]
References
- ^ Quackenbush, Jeff (13 May 2013). "Korean food pioneer Annie Chun returns with new venture". The North Bay Business Journal. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ a b c Strauss, Karsten (13 May 2013). "The Rise Of Seaweed: The Second Coming Of Annie Chun". Forbes. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Toussaint, Kristin (21 June 2021). "See inside a seaweed farm as it grow its carbon-sequestering crops". Fast Company. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Meet Annie Chun and Steve Broad". Monterey Bay Aquarium. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Henry, Zoë (4 August 2015). "Kind Founder Pledges $3 Million to Women-Led Food Startups". Inc. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ Chhabra, Esha (24 October 2022). "Korean-American Entrepreneur Builds Her Second Company Around This Regenerative Snack". Forbes. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Annie Chun's". Nosh. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Gourdeau, C. C. (30 October 2022). "16 Instant Ramen Brands, Ranked Worst To Best". Tasting Table. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "CJ acquires U.S. food company". Korea JoongAng Daily. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Latif, Ray (21 April 2020). "They Borrowed $10K And Built Two Pioneering Brands. How The Founders of Annie Chun's & gimMe Snacks Did It". Taste Radio. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Lehnis, Marianne (27 July 2023). "How A Korean Immigrant Beat The Odds To Go From Farmers Market To Household Brand Name". Forbes. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Kyung-min, No (27 May 2024). "'Gimflation' in S. Korea as dried seaweed prices go up on rising demand". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Annie Chun". Inc. Retrieved 19 April 2025.