From silver Screen to Supermarket Aisle

Glen Powell, the actor known for his roles in blockbuster hits such as Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, is adding a new title to his repertoire: entrepreneur.Powell, 36, is launching Smash Kitchen, a brand focused on providing organic and affordable condiments to families across the U.S.

The Texas native aims to offer high-quality alternatives to everyday staples, starting with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and barbecue sauce. These products will be available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide for the next six months.

Family First: The Inspiration Behind Smash Kitchen

Powell’s motivation stems from a desire to provide his family with the best possible ingredients. I obviously wanted to give my family the best, and what’s been really fun is thay’ve been the main taste testers along this journey, Powell said. He emphasized the importance of family, food, and quality in his new venture.

Powell further elaborated,I’ve really got to put my love of my family and my love of food – and love of quality. I’ve learned a lot. I really feel that it’s a great extension of who I am and what I already do in my life.

Assembling the A-Team: Collaboration and Expertise

To bring his vision to life, Powell partnered with seasoned CPG entrepreneurs Sean Kane, formerly of The Honest Company & Hello Bello, and sameer mehta, of Casper & Jinx. Their combined experience in building triumphant consumer product brands has been instrumental in launching Smash Kitchen.

Powell emphasized the importance of surrounding himself with talented individuals: I think one of the things in my life that I do best is surround myself with the best people. Whether that’s my friends – high quality friends – or when I’m putting together a movie, I have the best of the best around me.

He added, Sameer and Sean have proven that they make really great products, where there’s a marketplace need, but also make that product with integrity. that’s why I was drawn to those guys.

The Co-Founders Weigh In

Kane highlighted the focus on quality ingredients: Sourcing the finest organic ingredients has been a priority for our entire team. Glen has played an especially vital role in development, ensuring we deliver bold, balanced flavors that highlight the exceptional quality of our ingredients.

Mehta echoed this sentiment, praising Powell’s dedication and vision:

Partnering with Glen on Smash Kitchen has been an exciting and meaningful collaboration. Watching him step into entrepreneurship with such clarity of purpose, humility and unwavering drive has been genuinely inspiring. From the very beginning,we’ve shared a clear vision: to build a brand rooted in quality,clarity and real connection – with each othre,with our team and with the people we serve. Glen brings a sharp, creative lens, a thoughtful business instinct and a strong set of values to everything he does.I feel incredibly proud to be building this company alongside him and Sean. Very excited for what’s ahead.Sameer Mehta, Co-founder of Smash Kitchen

Entrepreneurial Vision: Affordability and Accessibility

Powell believes that understanding the audience is crucial for entrepreneurial success. He emphasized the importance of offering a high-quality product at an accessible price point.

I think the thing that I’m starting to realise is it’s all about the audience, right? When it comes to Smash Kitchen, they’re not going to pay $15 for a bottle of ketchup. So, I think the thing that I’m the most proud of here is that it’s better tasting – everybody that tries it is indeed saying that it’s the best tasting ketchup, mustard, mayo, barbeque sauce they have had – and it’s at a price point that my friends back in Texas that are shopping in Walmart can afford, Powell stated.

Barnstorm Productions: A Creative Outlet

Beyond acting and Smash Kitchen, Powell leads Barnstorm Productions. He sees this venture as an chance to shape the future of filmmaking.

I’ve been a fan of movies since I was able to open my eyes. Everybody in the family loves entertainment and we are big consumers of it, but at the end of the day, I’m also feeling like I’m a student of this business. I really love it, inside and out. I’ve gotten to really put my mark on that. I feel like when you have sort of a moment of political capital, you can really change what’s being made. I feel like as a fan of the movies, I know what I want to see in the theater. I’m really making sure that Barnstorm is practicing what it preaches in that way – giving people what they want to be seeing in theaters. So,that’s my goal at Barnstorm.

Glen Powell in 2025: Embracing Discomfort and learning

Powell describes this phase of his life as a period of growth and learning. He embraces new challenges and opportunities to expand his knowledge.

I think one of the best things about this chapter of my life is that you get to become uncomfortable in a really great way. I feel like the more I do this job – one of my favorite things about being an actor – putting yourself in new environments in which you are fascinated by the world or professionals, but also you have an opportunity to learn. I think that is what is really fun here. Especially opening Smash Kitchen – we are getting to surround ourselves with food scientists. We aren’t taking any of the shortcuts, in terms of preservatives or dyes or anything like that.we did it the right way and not the easy way.

star of the Year: CinemaCon Recognition

Powell will be honored with the “Star of the Year” award at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. He will also promote his upcoming film, The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright, scheduled for release on November 7, 2025, through Paramount Pictures.

Powell sees his star power as a tool to create meaningful and innovative work: This is where, as a fan of movies, I want to deliver for fans of movies. I understand that it’s the first time in my entire career where me being a part of a movie can greenlight a movie. I can get movies made in a way that I haven’t been able to do my entire career, and very few people have the opportunity to do. I don’t take that obligation lightly. I’m teaming up with great filmmakers and really trying to build movies that are sort of in their strike zone and the genre that they’re charged to explore. I’ve never worked so hard in my life, but I’m so fulfilled by it – like this is the great passion of my life. I’m waking up every morning very, very happy to give it all to the work.