MZTI
Consumer DefensiveThe Marzetti Company · Packaged Foods · $3B
What is The Marzetti Company?
The Marzetti Company is a U.S.-based specialty food manufacturer serving both retail grocery and foodservice customers. Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, the company focuses on everyday pantry staples with broad distribution.
Marzetti manufactures and markets a range of specialty food products — including garlic breads, rolls, dressings, dips, pasta, and croutons — sold through retail grocery chains and foodservice operators across the United States. Revenue comes from branded product sales in both channels, with the retail side anchoring the business through consistent consumer demand for familiar, shelf-stable and refrigerated food items.
The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Westerville, Ohio.
- Salad dressings and dips
- Garlic breads and dinner rolls
- Croutons and salad toppings
- Pasta and dry grocery products
Is MZTI a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates MZTI as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key pillars.
On the positive side, Marzetti's Quality and Risk pillars both come in at a Good rating, suggesting the business maintains reasonable operational discipline and a manageable risk profile relative to peers. Valuation also registers as Good, meaning the stock does not appear stretched on a fundamental basis.
However, both the Moat and Growth pillars are rated Weak — indicating limited competitive differentiation and constrained expansion prospects, which weigh on the overall composite score.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does MZTI pay dividends?
Yes — The Marzetti Company pays a dividend.
Marzetti pays a regular dividend, consistent with its positioning as a consumer defensive business generating relatively stable cash flows. Companies in this category often return capital to shareholders through dividends rather than aggressive reinvestment, reflecting the mature nature of the specialty food market. Income-oriented investors may find this cadence appealing.
When does MZTI report earnings?
The Marzetti Company reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for U.S.-listed equities.
Given the Weak Growth pillar rating, recent results are likely to reflect modest top-line expansion at best, consistent with a mature branded food business operating in competitive retail channels. Quality and Risk ratings suggest the underlying financials remain relatively stable despite limited growth momentum.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit The Marzetti Company's investor relations page directly.
MZTI Price History
-24.7% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in The Marzetti Company?
Based on The Marzetti Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
MZTI Long-term Outlook
The fundamental outlook for Marzetti is cautious. With Growth rated Weak, meaningful revenue or earnings acceleration appears unlikely in the near term. The Good Risk rating provides some reassurance that the business is not exposed to acute financial stress, but the Weak Moat suggests pricing power and brand defensibility remain limited in a crowded specialty food landscape.
Growth drivers
- Steady consumer demand for familiar pantry staples in the retail channel
- Potential foodservice channel expansion as dining trends evolve
- Operational efficiency improvements within existing product lines
Key risks
- Limited competitive moat in a fragmented specialty food market
- Input cost inflation pressuring margins in consumer packaged goods
- Weak growth trajectory constraining long-term earnings expansion
MZTI vs Peers
Marzetti operates in a competitive specialty food space alongside several branded and diversified food companies.
A Canadian specialty food platform with a broader portfolio of premium and artisan brands across multiple protein and prepared-food categories.
A large Canadian protein-focused food company with significant scale in sustainable meat and plant-based products, operating across retail and foodservice.
A high-growth fresh pet food brand with a differentiated refrigerated distribution model, targeting a fast-expanding premium pet nutrition segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Marzetti Company do?
The Marzetti Company manufactures and markets specialty food products including salad dressings, dips, garlic breads, rolls, croutons, and pasta. Products are sold through retail grocery stores and foodservice operators across the United States, targeting everyday meal occasions.
Does MZTI pay dividends?
Yes, Marzetti pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with its consumer defensive profile, where relatively stable cash flows support ongoing shareholder distributions. Investors seeking income exposure in the food sector may find this relevant to their screening criteria.
When does MZTI report earnings?
Marzetti reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for U.S.-listed companies. For exact dates and the most recent results, check The Marzetti Company's official investor relations page, which publishes earnings calendars and press releases.
Is MZTI a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates MZTI as Below Average overall. While Quality, Risk, and Valuation pillars are rated Good, the Weak Moat and Weak Growth ratings weigh on the composite. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your priorities — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is MZTI overvalued?
The Valuation pillar for MZTI is rated Good, suggesting the stock is not obviously expensive relative to its fundamentals. However, valuation alone does not determine investment merit — the Weak Growth and Moat ratings are important context. View the complete analysis with a UQS Pro account.
How does MZTI compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Premium Brands Holdings and Maple Leaf Foods, Marzetti is a more narrowly focused U.S. specialty food manufacturer. Its Weak Moat rating suggests it faces meaningful competitive pressure in retail channels where larger or faster-growing brands compete for shelf space.
What is MZTI's market cap bracket?
The Marzetti Company is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a segment of the market that typically offers more stability than small-caps but less liquidity and analyst coverage than large-cap consumer staples peers.
Who founded The Marzetti Company?
The Marzetti Company was founded in 1980. Detailed founding history, including key individuals involved in establishing the business, is publicly available through the company's official communications and corporate history resources.
Is MZTI a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, MZTI's UQS Score of Below Average reflects concerns — particularly the Weak Moat and Weak Growth pillars — that may limit compounding potential over time. The Good Quality and Risk ratings offer some stability, but durable competitive advantage appears limited based on current pillar ratings.
What is the main competitive advantage of The Marzetti Company?
Marzetti's advantage lies in its established retail distribution relationships and a portfolio of recognized specialty food brands in everyday categories. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating that these advantages may not be deeply entrenched relative to broader food sector competition.
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Pro Analysis
MZTI — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 50.5 | 67.1 | 22.0 | 23.5 | 78.4 | 78.1 | +0.8 |
| May 7, 2026 | 49.7 | 66.3 | 22.0 | 22.3 | 79.7 | 74.7 | +0.3 |
| May 6, 2026 | 49.4 | 66.3 | 22.0 | 22.3 | 79.7 | 72.7 | 0.0 |
| May 3, 2026 | 49.4 | 66.3 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 79.7 | 73.2 | +0.1 |
| May 1, 2026 | 49.3 | 66.3 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 79.7 | 72.3 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 49.4 | 66.3 | 22.0 | 22.3 | 79.7 | 72.7 | +0.5 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 48.9 | 66.3 | 22.0 | 22.3 | 79.7 | 69.7 | +0.3 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 48.6 | 65.9 | 22.0 | 22.3 | 79.7 | 68.3 | -0.4 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 49.0 | 65.9 | 22.0 | 22.4 | 79.7 | 70.5 | -0.1 |
| Apr 11, 2026 | 49.1 | 65.9 | 22.0 | 22.4 | 79.7 | 71.0 | +0.1 |
MZTI — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 66.9/100 (25%)The Marzetti Company shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 23.5/100 (20%)The Marzetti Company faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 78.4/100 (15%)The Marzetti Company carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 77.3/100 (15%)The Marzetti Company appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 22/100 (25%)The Marzetti Company operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MZTI.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the MZTI UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for The Marzetti Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses The Marzetti Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether The Marzetti Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.