Camp Chef is owned by Revelyst, a portfolio of outdoor brands now controlled by private equity firm Strategic Value Partners after a major 2024 breakup of former parent Vista Outdoor. Most Camp Chef products are manufactured overseas, primarily in China.
Camp Chef’s ownership has changed twice in the past two years, first when Vista Outdoor split into two separate companies, and again when the outdoor products half was sold to a private investment firm.
This article covers who owns Camp Chef today, where its products are actually manufactured, how the Vista Outdoor breakup unfolded, and its founding history.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Camp Chef?
Camp Chef is owned by Revelyst, a collection of outdoor brands that also includes CamelBak, Bell, Giro, Bushnell, and Simms. Current products are shown on Camp Chef’s official website.
Revelyst briefly traded as a standalone public company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GEAR before being acquired by private investment firm Strategic Value Partners in an all cash deal completed in January 2025, taking Revelyst private.
Camp Chef sits within Revelyst’s Outdoor Performance segment alongside brands including Bushnell, Simms, Stone Glacier, and Primos.
How Did Camp Chef End Up Under Revelyst?
Camp Chef was originally acquired by Vista Outdoor in 2016 for 74 million dollars, joining a portfolio that eventually grew to more than three dozen sporting and outdoor brands.
In 2024, Vista Outdoor split into two separate companies as part of a larger restructuring. Its ammunition business, The Kinetic Group, sold to Czechoslovak Group for roughly 2.2 billion dollars, while its outdoor products business, renamed Revelyst, became an independent publicly traded company.
Revelyst’s time as a standalone public company was brief. Strategic Value Partners acquired Revelyst for roughly 1.1 billion dollars in a deal that closed in January 2025, ending Revelyst’s run on the NYSE and bringing Camp Chef under private investment firm ownership.
Where Is Camp Chef Made?
Most Camp Chef products are manufactured overseas rather than in the United States.
The company’s own product documentation generally describes items as manufactured internationally without always naming a specific country.
China has been widely reported as the primary manufacturing location for the majority of Camp Chef’s grills, stoves, and cooking systems.
The company’s cast iron cookware line, part of its offering since shortly after founding, has also historically been produced overseas rather than domestically.
Camp Chef does not publish a detailed public breakdown of country of origin by product, so shoppers looking for specific manufacturing details are generally better served checking individual product packaging.
When Was Camp Chef Founded?
Camp Chef was founded in 1990 in Logan, Utah, built around a versatile outdoor cooking stove designed for campers who wanted more flexibility than a typical single burner setup.
The company steadily expanded its modular cooking system with accessories like griddles, pizza ovens, and BBQ boxes, and later added a line of cast iron cookware with its signature True Seasoned finish.
Camp Chef grew to offer more than 250 products before its 2016 acquisition by Vista Outdoor.
The brand remains headquartered in Utah’s Cache Valley today, continuing to focus on outdoor cooking equipment even as its corporate ownership has changed multiple times in recent years.
Are Camp Chef Pellet Grills Any Good?
Camp Chef pellet grills generally earn strong marks for build quality and versatility.
Owners frequently praise the ash cleanout system, the slide and grill feature that exposes an open flame for searing, and the option to add griddles, pizza ovens, and other accessories to the same base unit.
Reviewers at outlets including Taste of Home and BBQ Host have rated Camp Chef models competitively against rivals like Traeger and Pit Boss, particularly for temperature control and overall cooking performance.
Home Depot customer reviews for models like the XT 24 and Pursuit frequently cite sturdy construction and easy cleanup as standout strengths.
The most common complaints center on temperature probes that fail after light use, WiFi connectivity issues on app connected models, and inconsistent customer service when handling warranty claims.
One independent test in 2026 flagged a Woodwind Pro model for flaring flames during use, and Better Business Bureau complaints include reports of units arriving damaged and warranty disputes on premium models.
Overall, most owners who stick with core features rather than the WiFi enabled models report years of reliable use, and Camp Chef remains one of the more highly rated pellet grill brands for shoppers who want an expandable cooking system rather than a single purpose grill.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Camp Chef
Is Camp Chef still owned by Vista Outdoor?
No, Camp Chef is no longer owned by Vista Outdoor. Following Vista Outdoor’s 2024 breakup, Camp Chef moved to Revelyst, which was subsequently acquired by Strategic Value Partners in January 2025.
Is Camp Chef made in the USA?
No, most Camp Chef products are manufactured overseas, with China widely reported as the primary manufacturing location. The company does not publish detailed country of origin information for every product.
What other brands does Revelyst own?
Alongside Camp Chef, Revelyst owns CamelBak, Bell, Giro, Fox Racing, Bushnell, Simms Fishing, Stone Glacier, and several other outdoor and sporting goods brands.
Is Revelyst a public company?
No, Revelyst is no longer a public company. It briefly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker GEAR before being taken private by Strategic Value Partners in January 2025.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.