Goya Foods

Corporate brand

A privately held American food and beverage company specializing in Spanish, Caribbean, Mexican, Central American, and South American products.

Last updated October 26, 2026

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Overview

Goya Foods is a privately held American multinational food and beverage company whose products are associated particularly with Spanish, Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Mexican, Cuban, Central American, and South American cuisines. Headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, the company sells packaged foods and beverages through supermarkets, independent grocers, wholesalers, and other retail channels in the United States, including Puerto Rico, as well as in Spanish-speaking and Latin American markets. Its portfolio includes rice, beans, canned and jarred foods, sauces, spices, frozen products, beverages, snacks, and other pantry staples. The company was established in New York City in 1936 by Spanish immigrants Prudencio Unanue Ortiz and Carolina Casal de Valdez. The couple had previously lived in Puerto Rico and operated a family business there. Prudencio selected the Goya name after acquiring it from a Moroccan sardine company, preferring a short name that would be easier for American customers to pronounce than Unanue and appreciating its association with the Spanish painter Francisco Goya. The business initially focused on importing and distributing foods familiar to Spanish-speaking communities and gradually expanded into manufacturing, branded packaged products, and nationwide distribution. After Prudencio Unanue's death in 1976, ownership passed to his sons Joseph, Charles, Francisco, and Anthony. Under Joseph A. Unanue's leadership, Goya expanded substantially from a regional ethnic-food supplier into a large private food company with a broad product range and manufacturing and distribution infrastructure. By the late twentieth century, its catalog included hundreds of products, while its customer base had broadened beyond Hispanic households to consumers seeking Latin American ingredients and convenient pantry foods. Goya's operating footprint includes facilities in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Spain. The company invested in new manufacturing and distribution capacity during the 2010s, including facilities in New Jersey, Texas, California, and Georgia, as well as a major distribution center in Jersey City. These investments supported the company's geographic growth and its ability to serve mainstream grocery retailers and culturally specialized food channels. The company remains family controlled and has experienced significant governance and succession disputes among descendants of the founders. Joseph A. Unanue was removed as chairman and chief executive in 2004 amid family conflict over the company's direction, and Robert Unanue, a grandson of co-founder Prudencio through his son Anthony, subsequently led the company for years. In 2020 and 2021, Robert Unanue's public political statements triggered a national boycott movement, a counter-boycott, and internal board action limiting his media activity. In 2025, publicly reported litigation and board-related developments again raised questions about executive power, family ownership, and corporate governance. Goya positions itself as providing accessible foods that reflect the traditions of Hispanic and broader Latin American communities. Its social-impact program, Goya Gives, supports food banks, charitable organizations, scholarships, and community events. The company has also participated in public nutrition and food-support programs, including the MyPlate/MiPlato campaign and emergency donations after the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Maria. Its brand identity combines cultural authenticity, family familiarity, broad availability, and value-oriented pantry-food convenience.

History

Goya Foods traces its origins to the Unanue family's commercial activities in Puerto Rico and New York. Prudencio Unanue Ortiz, who came from Spain, married Carolina Casal de Valdez, another Spanish immigrant. The family operated a small Puerto Rican store under the Unanue name before shifting toward wholesale activity in the 1930s. In 1936, Prudencio and Carolina established Goya Foods in New York City. The Goya name was acquired from a Moroccan sardine business. Prudencio considered it more approachable for American consumers than the family surname and valued its Spanish cultural association. The company initially served Spanish-speaking communities by importing and distributing familiar ingredients and prepared foods. Its business later developed into a vertically broader operation involving branded manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, and distribution. When Prudencio died in 1976, control passed to his sons Joseph, Charles, Francisco, and Anthony. Joseph A. Unanue became the company's principal president and chief executive, while Francisco led important Puerto Rican manufacturing activities. During Joseph's tenure, Goya expanded from a regional specialist into a major private food company. It broadened its catalog across rice, beans, sauces, spices, canned goods, and other staples, and increased its presence in conventional American supermarkets as well as Hispanic grocery channels. The next generation became involved in management. Joseph A. Unanue's son Joseph F. Unanue held operating and executive roles in Puerto Rico and New Jersey before his death in 1998. Family succession became increasingly contentious, however. In 2004, Joseph A. Unanue was removed from the chairmanship and chief executive role during a dispute among family shareholders. His son Andy Unanue, who had been viewed as a possible successor and served as chief operating officer, also left the company amid the conflict and subsequent litigation. Robert Unanue, the son of Anthony Unanue, became chief executive and led the company for the following two decades. Goya continued to expand its physical infrastructure. During the 2010s it opened or developed several manufacturing and distribution locations in New Jersey, Texas, California, and Georgia. A major Jersey City distribution-center project begun in 2012 supported the company's move from Secaucus and strengthened its logistics base. Goya also maintained operations in Puerto Rico, including a distribution center in Bayamón, and manufacturing in the Dominican Republic, with additional facilities and activity connected to Spain and international markets. The company became one of the most recognizable Hispanic-owned food businesses in the United States. Its products moved from ethnic-specialty aisles into mainstream grocery shelves, while its branding continued to emphasize Latin American culinary traditions. The business also cultivated a community role through Goya Gives, which provides food and other support to charities, food banks, scholarship programs, and community events. The company donated food and protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic and supported relief efforts following Hurricane Maria. Goya's most visible modern controversy began in July 2020, when Robert Unanue praised Donald Trump during a White House event. The remarks led to calls for a boycott from several Latino public figures and to a counter-campaign by supporters. Unanue defended his comments as protected speech and continued making political statements. In January 2021, the board censured him and barred him from speaking publicly on behalf of the company after statements challenging the legitimacy of the 2020 election. The dispute illustrated the risks of combining family control, executive visibility, and partisan political advocacy in a consumer brand. In 2025, reports described renewed conflict involving Robert Unanue, Goya, and executive Frank Unanue. The reported disputes included allegations concerning a former information-technology executive, claimed company losses, defamation, and compensation. Because Goya is privately held, detailed financial and governance information is less transparent than it would be for a listed food company. Nevertheless, the brand remains active and continues to operate as a family-controlled producer and distributor serving United States and international food markets.

2025
Renewed executive and ownership dispute
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
Public reporting described board action and litigation involving Robert Unanue, Goya, and Frank Unanue.
2021
The board censures Robert Unanue
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
Following additional election-related statements, the board restricted Unanue's ability to speak publicly for the company.
2020
Political controversy produces boycott and counter-boycott activity
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
Comments by Robert Unanue at a White House event prompted a consumer boycott campaign and a pro-Goya counter-campaign.
2014
Multi-state facility expansion
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
The company opened new manufacturing and distribution facilities during a period of expansion in New Jersey, Texas, California, and Georgia.
2012
Jersey City distribution-center construction begins
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
Goya began developing a major distribution facility in Jersey City's Meadowlands area as part of its logistics expansion.
2004
Joseph A. Unanue is removed from company leadership
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
A dispute among family members resulted in Joseph A. Unanue's removal as chairman and chief executive and contributed to the departure of his son Andy.
1976
Ownership passes to the founder's sons
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
After Prudencio Unanue's death, the company passed to Joseph, Charles, Francisco, and Anthony Unanue.
1936
Goya Foods is founded in New York City
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
The couple formally established the Goya business in the United States, initially serving Spanish-speaking consumers through imported and distributed foods.
1922
The Unanue family establishes a Puerto Rican store
[1]Goya Foodsen.wikipedia.org
Prudencio Unanue and Carolina Casal de Valdez operated an early family business in Puerto Rico before moving toward wholesale activity.

Products and positioning

A mass-market yet culturally rooted Hispanic and Latin American food brand built around authenticity, pantry convenience, broad retail availability, family heritage, and value.

Staple foods
Rice
Goya rice products support everyday cooking across Caribbean, Latin American, and broader American households. The range is used in dishes such as rice-and-beans preparations, arroz con pollo, pilafs, and other regional meals, and helps anchor the brand's pantry-food identity.
Canned and dry foods
Beans and legumes
Beans and legumes are among Goya's central product categories. The portfolio includes familiar Latin American varieties in canned and other packaged formats, offering convenient ingredients for soups, stews, rice dishes, salads, and traditional regional recipes.
Seasonings
Adobo and seasonings
Goya's seasoning range includes Adobo and other spices and blends used to flavor meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, rice, and beans. These products extend the brand beyond basic ingredients and provide a recognizable route into Hispanic and Latin American home cooking.
Condiments
Sauces and salsas
The company sells cooking sauces, tomato-based products, salsas, marinades, and related condiments. They are designed for both traditional Latin American preparations and convenient everyday cooking, reinforcing Goya's role as a complete pantry supplier.
Shelf-stable foods
Canned fruits and vegetables
Goya's shelf-stable portfolio includes canned produce and prepared ingredients used in home cooking. These products provide year-round availability and convenience while serving recipes associated with Caribbean, Latin American, and Hispanic culinary traditions.
Drinks
Beverages
Goya also distributes beverages associated with Hispanic and Latin American consumption occasions. The category broadens the brand from cooking ingredients into meal accompaniment and refreshment, while retaining its cultural and regional positioning.
Frozen prepared foods
Frozen foods
Frozen products add prepared and semi-prepared Latin American food options to Goya's shelf-stable pantry range. They support convenience-oriented shopping while extending the company's presence across supermarket freezers and meal occasions.

Controversies

2025
Litigation involving Robert Unanue and Goya
Reported lawsuits involved allegations that Robert Unanue colluded with a former information-technology department head whose conduct allegedly caused company losses. Robert later sued Goya, alleging defamation and improper denial of compensation.
Source
2021
Board censure over election-related statements
Goya's board censured Robert Unanue and limited his media activity after he made statements disputing the legitimacy of the 2020 United States presidential election.
Source
2020
Political endorsement controversy
Robert Unanue's public praise for Donald Trump at a White House event triggered calls for a boycott and a competing buycott. Unanue defended the remarks and declined to apologize.
Source
2020
Goya Foods faces boycott calls after CEO praises Trump
In July 2020, Goya Foods became the subject of boycott calls after its CEO, Robert Unanue, praised President Trump at a White House event. According to reports, politicians, celebrities and members of the Latino community urged consumers to boycott the company in response to the CEO's remarks. The controversy centered on the CEO's public expression of praise for the president and the reaction it drew from public figures and community members.
Source

2020Goya boycott and buycott
United States
Following Robert Unanue's praise of Donald Trump at a White House event, critics called for a boycott while supporters encouraged consumers to purchase Goya products. The dispute spread through social media and involved Latino public figures, consumer activists, and pro-Goya organizers.
Outcome. The controversy generated extensive publicity and competing consumer campaigns; later commentary reported that boycott efforts did not produce a lasting decline in sales.
Source
2020COVID-19 food-relief donations
United States
Through Goya Gives and related relief activity, the company donated food and protective masks to food banks and other organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outcome. The program supported emergency food distribution and reinforced Goya's community-relief positioning.
Source
2017Hurricane Maria relief support
Puerto Rico · United States
Goya Gives supported relief efforts with product donations after Hurricane Maria, particularly through food assistance connected to Puerto Rico.
Outcome. The initiative contributed food to communities affected by the disaster.
Source
2012MyPlate/MiPlato
United States
Goya joined First Lady Michelle Obama's MyPlate healthy-eating initiative, participating in a public nutrition effort that promoted balanced meals and practical healthy eating.
Outcome. The company became associated with a national healthy-eating education initiative.
Source

Brand decisions

2021
Restrict the chief executive's public communicationsStrategy
Background
The board viewed Robert Unanue's continuing political statements as a threat to the company's reputation and governance stability.
Action taken
The board censured Unanue and barred him from speaking to the media on behalf of Goya.
Aftermath
The decision exposed continuing tension between family ownership and professional corporate governance.
Source
2019
Explore a potential sale to The Carlyle GroupM&A
Background
Goya and The Carlyle Group discussed a possible acquisition of the privately held company.
Action taken
The parties held exploratory talks, but no transaction was completed.
Aftermath
Goya remained family controlled.
Source
2012
Invest in a new Jersey City distribution centerStrategy
Background
Goya needed additional logistics capacity as its product range and geographic demand expanded.
Action taken
The company began construction of a major distribution center in Jersey City's Meadowlands area and moved operations from Secaucus.
Aftermath
The project strengthened the company's New Jersey distribution base.
Source
1936
Adopt the Goya name for the American marketStrategy
Background
The founders wanted a name that would be easier for American customers to pronounce than Unanue and that retained a Spanish cultural association.
Action taken
The company adopted the Goya name after Prudencio Unanue acquired it from a Moroccan sardine company.
Aftermath
The short name became the foundation of a widely recognized Hispanic food brand.
Source

Recent events

2020.07.10
Reported2020.07.10
Goya Foods faces boycott calls after its CEO praised Trump[2]Goya Foods faces boycott calls after CEO praises Trumpibtimes.com
Politicians, celebrities and members of the Latino community called for a boycott of Goya Foods after CEO Robert Unanue praised President Trump at a White House event.

Sources8 sources

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