From CMA Awards to Walmart: Memphis' Arbo's Cheese Dip catapults to national distribution

It’s been a big month for Arbo’s Cheese Dip.

The Memphis company was awarded a “Golden Ticket” at Walmart’s 10th annual Open Call, featured on the CMA Awards and named a winner in the fifth Real California Milk Excelerator competition — all in the past four weeks.

These awards and recognition will catapult this homegrown Memphis cheese dip brand into a nationally distributed food product in 2024.

“The last month has been pivotal for me — after enduring a year of struggle with supply chain issues, negative margins and the weight of Arbo’s on my shoulders, something happened," said Andrew Arbogast, Arbo’s founder and CEO. "I can’t describe it, other than staying in the fight and eventually coming out on top.”

Arbo's Cheese Dip: Small batches to national distribution

The cheese dip with a spicy twist became an instant Memphis favorite when it was launched in spring 2021.

The secret recipe for Arbo’s Cheese Dip is decades old. Arbogast got it from his father who has been making it for more than 40 years. “He was given the original recipe from my mom’s mom,” Arbogast said. "But he found her recipe a bit bland and added seasonings to it.”

At first, Arbogast prepared and packaged each batch of cheese dip himself by hand. His parents and in-laws would help label and deliver the dips to the stores across Memphis. He could often be found hosting pop-ups at local restaurants and setting up sampling tables at community events.

Just 2⅟₂ years later, the cheese dip based on an Arbogast family recipe is distributed in 1,600 stores and in 20 states

In 2024, the company will grow to national distribution thanks to its recent accolades.

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A 'Golden Ticket' recipient at Walmart’s Open Call

Arbo’s Cheese Dip got a big break at the end of October.

The company known for its line of cold cheese dips is among the winners in Walmart's 2023 Open Call contest for small businesses.

Arbo’s was one of 180 companies chosen out of 700 businesses that pitched products to Walmart on Oct. 26 as part of its 10th annual Open Call contest.

Walmart’s Open Call is an opportunity for selected American entrepreneurs to meet face-to-face with Walmart and/or Sam’s Club merchants and potentially get their product in the hands of millions of their customers. This event provides information to potential suppliers, offers networking opportunities and gives businesses of all sizes from across the nation a chance at a big break.

"Arbo’s was chosen first and foremost because they have a fantastic product — and as a merchant, I am always looking for great new products for our customers," Walmart merchant Mason Goodell said. "Arbo's also has a really cool story, being veteran-owned and -operated with Andrew serving in the U.S. military."

Thanks to this Walmart competition, Arbo’s Cheese Dip will soon be in the hands of millions of customers across the country. The Golden Ticket guarantees distribution in 282 Walmart stores starting in February. Included in the deal are Arbo's original flavor and the queso blanco.

“Having that Walmart logo next to my brand puts me at a different level. It adds a level of legitimacy for my brand,” said Arbogast, adding his goal is to one day to be in all 4,000-plus Walmart stores in the United States.

An appearance at the CMA Awards

Arbogast also made an appearance on the CMA Awards thanks to his affiliation with Bunker Labs.

The nonprofit organization supporting veterans and veteran-owned businesses was honored by Crown Royal and country music star Jordan Davis during the awards show.

Arbo’s was one of two veteran-owned companies to be featured in a video that introduced the award during the broadcast.

Arbogast is an Army veteran, and Arbo’s was one of a small group of veteran-owned businesses chosen in 2021 for Bunker Labs’ “Veterans in Residence,” a six-month start-up incubator program.

Arbogast credits this program for helping him grow his brand.

“Bunker Labs was behind me from the very beginning, and it is such an honor that Bunker chose me to be showcased at the CMAs as a successful Bunker Labs veteran entrepreneur," he said. "I owe them everything."

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The Real Milk Excelerator competition

Arbo’s was one of four winners in the 5th Real California Milk Excelerator competition on Nov. 16.

The largest global dairy accelerator, the competition is a search to identify, curate and accelerate the best dairy-based products that introduce novel benefits and drive use of California milk and dairy in formulations.

Arbo’s was the only finalist not from California.

Arbogast received $30,000 to grow and expand his product in California and was granted access to an investor/buyer virtual roadshow.

The competition will continue throughout 2024. One of the four winning companies will be awarded an additional $100,000 grand prize by establishing its presence in California and exhibiting the most promising growth within the next 12 months.

“Just being a part of the competition was a win,” Arbogast said. “I have already partnered with a California-based manufacturer, so now we can become a true national brand in all 50 states with distribution east and west.”

Arbo’s Cheese Dip is definitely living up to its original slogan: “The party dip that won’t quit.”

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Arbo's Cheese Dip grew from family recipe to national distribution