Who Owns Made In Cookware

The Ownership Structure of Made In Cookware

Made In Cookware is owned by its two co-founders: Chip Malt and Jake Kalick. They established the company in 2016 and maintain active ownership and operational control of the business. The company operates as a privately held entity, meaning it has not been acquired by a larger corporation or gone public through an IPO.

Chip Malt serves as Co-CEO and brings extensive experience from the hospitality and restaurant industry. Jake Kalick, also serving as Co-CEO, contributes a background in business development and e-commerce. Together, they built Made In from a direct-to-consumer startup into a prominent cookware brand used by professional chefs and home cooks.

The ownership model allows the founders to maintain their original vision: creating professional-grade cookware at accessible price points by eliminating middlemen and selling directly to consumers.

The Foundation Story Behind Made In

Chip Malt worked in his family’s restaurant supply business for years. He noticed a significant gap in the cookware market. Professional chefs used high-quality pans that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Home cooks bought lower-quality options because restaurant-grade cookware seemed financially out of reach.

Jake Kalick had experience building direct-to-consumer brands. The two founders met and identified an opportunity. They could source cookware from the same manufacturers that produced pans for luxury brands, then sell directly to customers online. This approach would cut out distributors, retailers, and unnecessary markups.

In 2016, they launched Made In with a focused product line. The company started with stainless steel skillets and gradually expanded. Their strategy centered on:

• Manufacturing in regions with centuries of cookware expertise
• Using the same factories that produce premium brands
• Selling exclusively through their website
• Pricing products 30-50% below comparable luxury cookware

The direct-to-consumer model worked. Made In gained traction with home cooks who wanted professional performance without premium prices.

Investment and Financial Backing

While Malt and Kalick own Made In, they have secured external funding to fuel growth. The company has raised capital through venture funding rounds. Notable investors include:

• Eurazeo Brands: A European private equity firm that invests in consumer brands
• Bradley Cooper: The actor and director who became both an investor and brand ambassador
• Individual angel investors: Various private investors from the culinary and business sectors

These investments provide capital for expansion, product development, and marketing. However, the founders retain control over company direction and operations. The funding structure supports growth while preserving the original ownership and vision.

Manufacturing Partners and Production Locations

Made In does not own its manufacturing facilities. Instead, the company partners with established factories across different regions. Each location specializes in specific cookware types based on centuries of metalworking tradition.

France produces the carbon steel pans. The Mauviel factory in Normandy has crafted cookware since 1830. This facility supplies Made In’s carbon steel skillets and woks.

Italy manufactures the stainless steel cookware. Made In sources from factories in the Piedmont region, where metalworking expertise dates back generations. Italian artisans produce the stainless steel skillets, sauté pans, and stock pots.

United States handles the non-stick and griddle production. American factories create the non-stick frying pans and blue carbon steel griddles.

China produces certain product lines under strict quality control. Made In maintains oversight of Chinese manufacturing to ensure consistent standards.

This multi-region approach allows Made In to leverage specialized expertise. French factories excel at carbon steel. Italian manufacturers master stainless steel clad construction. Each partner brings specific technical knowledge to the production process.

Product Lines and Technical Specifications

Made In offers several distinct cookware collections. Each line targets specific cooking methods and user preferences.

Stainless Steel Collection

The stainless clad cookware features a five-layer construction:

1. Stainless steel cooking surface (18/10 grade)
2. Aluminum core layer
3. Aluminum core layer (second layer for even heat)
4. Aluminum core layer (third layer)
5. Stainless steel exterior

This construction provides even heat distribution across the cooking surface. The aluminum cores conduct heat efficiently. The stainless steel layers offer durability and non-reactive cooking properties.

Key specifications:

• Thickness: 2.6mm total thickness
• Handle design: Ergonomic stainless steel handles
• Oven-safe temperature: Up to 600°F
• Induction compatibility: Yes, works on all cooktops

Carbon Steel Collection

Carbon steel pans offer a lightweight alternative to cast iron. They develop a natural non-stick patina through seasoning.

Construction details:

• Material: 99% iron, 1% carbon
• Thickness: 2mm gauge
• Weight: Approximately 40% lighter than cast iron
• Seasoning: Pre-seasoned with grapeseed oil

Carbon steel heats quickly and responds rapidly to temperature changes. Chefs prefer this material for high-heat searing and delicate temperature control.

Non-Stick Collection

The non-stick line uses a multi-layer coating system:

• Base layer of stainless steel for structural integrity
• Multiple layers of PTFE-based non-stick coating
• Reinforced with titanium for durability

These pans work for eggs, fish, and other foods that stick to traditional surfaces. The coating withstands metal utensils better than standard non-stick finishes.

Comparison: Made In Versus Competitor Ownership Models

Brand	Ownership Type	Manufacturing	Price Model
Made In	Founder-owned, private	Partner factories in France, Italy, USA	Direct-to-consumer
All-Clad	Owned by Groupe SEB (French corporation)	Pennsylvania, USA	Traditional retail + online
Le Creuset	Private, family-influenced ownership	France	Premium retail pricing
Calphalon	Owned by Newell Brands (public company)	Various international locations	Mass retail distribution
Caraway	Founder-owned, VC-backed	China	Direct-to-consumer

The ownership structure affects pricing, product decisions, and customer relationships. Corporate-owned brands like All-Clad and Calphalon answer to shareholders. Founder-owned companies like Made In maintain more direct control over quality and pricing strategies.

The Direct-to-Consumer Advantage

Made In’s ownership model enables specific business practices that benefit customers:

Price Control: Without distributors and retailers taking margins, Made In sets prices based on production costs plus a reasonable markup. A stainless steel skillet that might cost $200 from a luxury brand sells for $80-100 from Made In.

Quality Feedback Loop: The founders receive direct customer feedback through their website and customer service channels. They can adjust products based on real user experiences rather than filtered retailer reports.

Product Development: Malt and Kalick decide which products to develop based on customer requests and cooking trends. They don’t need approval from corporate boards or external shareholders.

Brand Partnerships: Made In collaborates directly with professional chefs. These partnerships inform product design and provide credibility. Chef partnerships work smoothly because the owners make decisions quickly.

Professional Chef Endorsements and Restaurant Adoption

Made In supplies cookware to numerous professional kitchens. High-profile chef partnerships include:

• Grant Achatz (Alinea, Chicago)
• Nancy Silverton (Mozza Restaurant Group)
• Brooke Williamson (multiple restaurant concepts)
• Various Michelin-starred establishments

These chefs use Made In in their restaurants, not just for promotional purposes. The cookware meets professional standards for heat retention, durability, and performance under high-volume conditions.

Restaurant adoption validates Made In’s quality claims. Professional kitchens demand cookware that survives constant use, high temperatures, and frequent cleaning. Made In pans perform in these environments, which proves their construction quality.

Customer Service and Warranty Policies

Ownership structure influences customer support. Made In offers:

Lifetime Warranty: All cookware carries a lifetime warranty against defects. If a pan warps, the handle loosens, or the coating fails under normal use, Made In replaces it.

Direct Support: Customer service representatives work directly for Made In, not through third-party call centers. They have authority to resolve issues without bureaucratic delays.

Return Policy: Customers can return products within 45 days for a full refund. This extended window allows proper testing in home kitchens.

Repair Services: For certain products, Made In offers repair services rather than replacement. This extends product lifespan and reduces waste.

These policies reflect owner priorities. Malt and Kalick prioritize long-term customer relationships over short-term profits. They can implement generous policies because they control company decisions.

Maintenance Requirements for Made In Cookware

Different materials require specific care approaches:

Stainless Steel Maintenance

• Wash with soap and warm water after each use
• Remove stuck-on food with Bar Keeper’s Friend or baking soda paste
• Dry immediately to prevent water spots
• Polish with stainless steel cleaner monthly

Carbon Steel Care

• Hand wash only (dishwashers remove seasoning)
• Dry thoroughly after washing
• Apply thin oil layer after each use
• Re-season periodically when food begins sticking

Non-Stick Handling

• Use low to medium heat only
• Avoid metal utensils (use wood, silicone, or plastic)
• Hand wash with soft sponges
• Replace when coating shows significant wear

Proper maintenance extends cookware lifespan significantly. Made In provides detailed care instructions with each purchase and maintains video tutorials on their website.

Future Ownership Considerations

Made In remains privately held as of 2026. Several potential scenarios could affect future ownership:

Continued Independence: Malt and Kalick may maintain ownership indefinitely, growing the company organically while staying private.

Strategic Acquisition: A larger cookware company or consumer goods corporation might acquire Made In. This would provide founders with an exit but could change company direction.

Private Equity Buyout: Investment firms might purchase Made In to expand it further, then sell to another buyer or take it public.

Public Offering: The company could eventually go public, allowing anyone to buy shares. This would change the ownership dynamic significantly.

Currently, no public announcements suggest ownership changes. The founders appear committed to their original vision and operational control.

Why Ownership Matters to Buyers

Understanding who owns Made In provides insight into product quality and company values. Founder ownership typically means:

• Product decisions based on cooking performance rather than profit margins alone
• Faster response to customer feedback and market demands
• Greater accountability to end users rather than shareholders
• More consistent quality control and manufacturing standards

Buyers who value these attributes often prefer founder-owned brands. Those who prioritize widespread retail availability might choose corporate-owned alternatives.

Final Assessment

Chip Malt and Jake Kalick own Made In Cookware. They founded the company in 2016 and maintain operational control. External investors provide capital but do not direct company strategy. This ownership structure allows Made In to manufacture professional-grade cookware at accessible prices through direct-to-consumer sales.

The company sources products from specialized factories in France, Italy, and the United States. Each manufacturing partner brings regional expertise to specific cookware types. Made In maintains quality control while leveraging centuries of metalworking knowledge.

Buyers receive lifetime warranties, generous return policies, and direct customer support. Professional chefs use Made In in restaurant kitchens, validating performance claims. The cookware performs comparably to luxury brands at lower price points.

For consumers researching cookware investments, ownership information clarifies brand values and business practices. Made In’s founder-owned structure explains their pricing approach, manufacturing choices, and customer-focused policies. This transparency helps buyers make informed purchasing decisions based on their priorities and cooking needs.