Smithfield Launches Innovative Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon Collaboration to Elevate Flavor Experiences

Smithfield launches Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon, blending smoky bacon with sweet heat, supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign.

Quiver AI Summary

Smithfield is launching a new product, Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon, which combines hickory smoked bacon with the spicy sweetness of Mike’s Hot Honey. This unique collaboration aims to create a flavorful bacon experience and is part of Smithfield’s We Speak Pork campaign, which focuses on innovating and bringing new flavors to consumers. To promote this launch, Smithfield is implementing a comprehensive marketing campaign, including media advertising, influencer partnerships, and a prominent presence in Times Square where they will engage the public with samples and experiential marketing. The product will be available at major grocery stores nationwide starting this month, with the aim of appealing to modern consumers who appreciate bold flavors.

Potential Positives

Introduction of Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon, a first-of-its-kind product that combines bacon and hot honey, appealing to flavor trends in the market.
Launch supports the We Speak Pork campaign, reflecting Smithfield’s commitment to innovation and consumer engagement in the bacon category.
Comprehensive 360-degree marketing campaign, including influencer engagement and a Times Square takeover, designed to maximize visibility and consumer interaction.
Product available nationwide at major retailers like Kroger and Publix, increasing accessibility and potential sales growth for the new offering.

Potential Negatives

Potential health concerns associated with processed meats may negatively impact consumer perception, especially as health trends shift towards lower meat consumption.
The heavy emphasis on a promotional campaign, including high-profile advertising in Times Square, raises questions about the financial return on investment compared to potential long-term brand loyalty.
Increased competition in the bacon market from other innovative products could diminish market share for Smithfield's new offering.

FAQ

What is Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon?

Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon is a new product combining hickory smoked bacon with Mike’s Hot Honey for a unique flavor experience.

Where can I purchase Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon?

The new bacon product is available at major retailers such as Kroger, Publix, Meijer, and Shop Rite nationwide.

What is the We Speak Pork campaign?

The We Speak Pork campaign promotes Smithfield's innovative flavors and offerings, highlighting the new Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon collaboration.

Who is involved in the Smithfield advertising campaign?

Emmy Award-winning comedian Ben Schwartz will voice two creative spots for the Smithfield advertising campaign across various platforms.

What can consumers expect at the Times Square launch event?

Consumers can enjoy samples, exclusive merchandise, and stunning visuals at the immersive Times Square event celebrating the new bacon product.

Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.

$SFD Insider Trading Activity

$SFD insiders have traded $SFD stock on the open market 9 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 8 have been purchases and 1 have been sales.

Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $SFD stock by insiders over the last 6 months:

GROUP LTD WH sold 22,461,452 shares for an estimated $522,228,759
LONG WAN purchased 1,800,000 shares for an estimated $41,850,000
DONOVAN OWENS (President, U.S. Fresh Pork) purchased 12,000 shares for an estimated $279,000
HANK SHENGHUA HE purchased 10,000 shares for an estimated $232,500
KELLER D. WATTS (Chief Business Officer) has made 2 purchases buying 8,124 shares for an estimated $190,470 and 0 sales.
DOUG SUTTON (Chief Manufacturing Officer) purchased 3,920 shares for an estimated $91,140
STEVEN FRANCE (President, Packaged Meats) purchased 2,500 shares for an estimated $58,125
MARK L. HALL (Chief Financial Officer) purchased 2,000 shares for an estimated $46,500

To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard.

$SFD Analyst Ratings

Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $SFD in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.

Here are some recent analyst ratings:

Morgan Stanley issued a "Overweight" rating on 08/13/2025

To track analyst ratings and price targets for $SFD, check out Quiver Quantitative's $SFD forecast page.

$SFD Price Targets

Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $SFD recently. We have seen 3 analysts offer price targets for $SFD in the last 6 months, with a median target of $30.0.

Here are some recent targets:

Dara Mohsenian from Morgan Stanley set a target price of $30.0 on 08/13/2025
Manav Gupta from UBS set a target price of $28.5 on 08/13/2025
Benjamin Theurer from Barclays set a target price of $30.0 on 08/13/2025

Full Release

SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield ^® is turning up the flavor with a sizzlin’ new collab – Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon . Bringing together two icons – bacon and honey – in one craveworthy bite, this first-of-its-kind innovation infuses Smithfield’s hickory smoked bacon cured to perfection, with the signature sweet heat of Mike’s Hot Honey, the original and leading hot honey brand. The result? An irresistible balance of smoky and sweet, with a kick of heat that transforms everyday moments into flavor-packed occasions.

This exciting new launch is the spotlight of Smithfield’s We Speak Pork campaign , underscoring the brand’s commitment to deliver new flavors and offerings that connect with consumers and drive growth in the bacon category. Because when it comes to pork and flavor, no one speaks it better.

To build momentum, Smithfield is executing a 360-degree campaign, spanning across media, influencer engagement and a Times Square takeover. It will also feature two new product-specific creative spots voiced by Emmy Award-winning comedian Ben Schwartz. The ads, which will run across streaming platforms, digital, social and in-store media, are complemented by impactful out-of-home placements that reinforce Smithfield’s purpose of bringing pork’s flavor and versatility to life in fresh, unexpected ways.

And New Yorkers – We’re Coming in Hot
Today, Smithfield is bringing the new We Speak Pork platform and collab to life by surprising New Yorkers with an immersive and delicious experience in Times Square featuring scroll-stopping visuals, mouthwatering samples, exclusive merch drops and more.

High above the crowds on oversized screens, thousands of bees will swarm the skyline before scattering into a golden rush of honey that ignites into sparks of spice, culminating in a fiery declaration: I’m Coming in Hot. Down at street level, consumers can enjoy sizzling samples of Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon from unexpected guests and a Smithfield Food Truck will also serve bacon bliss and merch.

“Smithfield has always stood for quality, and the collaboration with Mike’s Hot Honey reflects our commitment to innovating in ways that resonate with today’s consumer,” said Marianne Radley, managing director of marketing for Smithfield Foods. “The partnership brings a bold new flavor experience that feels both authentic and distinctive. It’s the best of tradition and trend on one plate.”

“At Mike’s Hot Honey, we’re all about giving the classics a twist, and bacon is one of my personal favorites,” said Mike Kurtz, founder of Mike’s Hot Honey. “Partnering with Smithfield has been an incredible way to share that sweet heat and smoky flavor in a combination that’s simple, fun and really tasty.”

Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon is hitting shelves nationwide this month at Kroger, Publix, Meijer, Shop Rite and more. For recipes, inspiration and all things bacon, visit www.Smithfield.com or follow @smithfieldbrand on Instagram , TikTok and Facebook .

About Smithfield
Smithfield ^® isn’t only a leading provider of high-quality pork products. We’re also a leading provider of the most important part of any meal: premium, high-quality meat. And we take our meat duties seriously. After all, the rest of the meal is just a side dish. Smithfield products were first introduced in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, by people who lived for the love of meat. Today, the Smithfield brand stands for craftsmanship, authenticity, and pure passion as we continue to give meat lovers across the country the deliciousness they crave: our classic bacon, slow-smoked holiday hams, hand-trimmed ribs, marinated fresh pork, smoked meats, and even more meaty magic. All Smithfield products not only meet our customers’ high flavor standards but also meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. All while being produced right here in the USA. To learn more about the Smithfield portfolio of products, please visit www.Smithfield.com and connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and X (formally known as Twitter ). Smithfield ^® is a brand of Smithfield Foods, Inc.

About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods (Nasdaq: SFD) is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world.

About Mike’s Hot Honey
Mike’s Hot Honey, America’s original and leading brand of hot honey, has been elevating everyday eating experiences since 2010. Its first drizzle on a pizza at Paulie Gee’s in Brooklyn sparked a word-of-mouth sensation, creating a new category of pizza topping. By popular demand, Mike started selling his small-batch, hand-labeled hot honey bottles to visitors of the pizzeria and other local businesses. Today, Mike’s Hot Honey can be found in thousands of restaurants and retailers across the country. Using only 100% pure honey infused with real chili peppers, Mike’s Hot Honey’s sweet-then-heat flavor enhances any dish, from pepperoni pizza to chicken, cheese, charcuterie, ice cream, cocktails and more.

Contact:
LaForce
[email protected]

Campaign image photo caption: Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon – where smoky meets sweet, with a kick of heat.

Campaign image photo caption 2: We Speak Pork: Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon turns up the flavor.

Product pack photo caption: Smithfield Mike’s Hot Honey Bacon – hickory smoked, sweet heat, crave worthy flavor in every bite.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a4a2c97-a38b-413c-81f1-73dbe011e923

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d313d41-af07-4375-94e6-0f047ae8b325

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81fed387-8efa-4012-87f6-128b21079aa5