Who Owns Baileys?
Baileys is owned by Diageo, a publicly traded British multinational alcoholic beverages company. Diageo inherited Baileys through its formation from the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness in 1997. Diageo is headquartered in London, UK.
Parent Company
Diageo plc
Founded
1974
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Who Owns Baileys?
- Parent Company: Diageo plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: DGE
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Baileys | Diageo plc | Wholly owned |
History of Baileys
- Founded: 1974
- Founders: Tom Jago, David Gluckman
Baileys Irish Cream was created in 1974 by Tom Jago and David Gluckman, who were tasked by Gilbeys of Ireland with developing a new product that would combine two of Ireland's most famous exports: whiskey and cream. The development team spent approximately four years perfecting the recipe and solving the technical challenge of creating a stable emulsion of cream and alcohol that would not separate or spoil.
The breakthrough came when the team discovered that by using a specific emulsification process, they could combine fresh Irish dairy cream with Irish whiskey, cocoa, and vanilla to create a smooth, shelf-stable product. The result was the world's first cream liqueur, a product category that had never existed before. Baileys was launched in Dublin in November 1974 and was an immediate commercial success.
The brand's early marketing positioned Baileys as a sophisticated after-dinner drink, appealing to consumers who found traditional spirits too harsh. The smooth, sweet flavor profile attracted a broad audience, including many consumers who did not typically drink spirits. Baileys quickly became popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, and by the 1980s had established itself as a global brand.
Baileys' success spawned an entire cream liqueur category, with numerous competitors attempting to replicate the formula. However, Baileys has maintained its dominant market position throughout, holding approximately 50% of the global cream liqueur market. The brand sells over 80 million bottles annually, making it one of the top-selling liqueur brands in the world regardless of category.
Under Diageo's ownership, Baileys has expanded its product range significantly. Flavored variants include Baileys Salted Caramel, Baileys Strawberries & Cream, Baileys Espresso Creme, and Baileys Apple Pie. The brand has also extended into non-alcoholic products including Baileys-branded chocolates, ice cream, coffee creamers, and baking products, creating a lifestyle brand that extends well beyond the original liqueur.
One of Baileys' most notable characteristics is its use of fresh Irish dairy cream. The brand uses approximately 200 million liters of fresh cream annually, sourced from over 40,000 Irish dairy cows. This commitment to using real Irish cream and Irish whiskey is central to the brand's authenticity and quality positioning.
About Diageo plc
What does Diageo own?
Diageo owns a portfolio of approximately 200 alcoholic beverage brands including Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky, Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka, Don Julio tequila, Baileys Irish cream, Captain Morgan rum, Crown Royal Canadian whisky, Tanqueray gin, Bulleit bourbon, and Cîroc vodka. The company also holds a 34.2% stake in Moet Hennessy, the wines and spirits division of LVMH, giving it indirect exposure to the Hennessy cognac and Moet & Chandon champagne brands. Diageo's brands are sold in nearly 180 countries.
Is Diageo publicly traded?
Yes, Diageo plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker DGE and on the New York Stock Exchange as an American Depositary Receipt under ticker DEO. The company has been publicly listed since its formation in 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness. Diageo does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors.
Who founded Diageo?
Diageo was formed on 17 December 1997 through the merger of Grand Metropolitan plc and Guinness plc. Grand Metropolitan was a British conglomerate that owned Smirnoff, Baileys, and J&B, among other brands. Guinness plc owned the Guinness stout brand, Johnnie Walker, and a portfolio of other spirits. The merged entity was named Diageo, a name derived from Latin and Greek roots intended to convey global reach.
Where is Diageo headquartered?
Diageo is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company maintains its registered office and principal executive offices in London. Diageo's operational footprint spans the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Scotland, Jamaica, Mexico, India, and Canada, among other countries. The company's Scotch whisky operations are centered in Scotland, where it operates numerous distilleries.
How many brands does Diageo own?
Diageo owns approximately 200 alcoholic beverage brands across spirits, beer, and wine. Of these, 13 brands each generate over one billion US dollars in annual net sales. These billion-dollar brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Don Julio, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Tanqueray, Bulleit, J&B, Buchanan's, Windsor, and Cîroc. The company also holds a 34.2% stake in Moet Hennessy, which owns additional premium brands.
Who owns Diageo?
Diageo plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and pension funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Diageo. The company is incorporated in England and Wales and is subject to UK corporate governance requirements, including a board with a majority of independent non-executive directors.
What is Diageo's revenue?
Diageo reported net sales of approximately 20.2 billion US dollars for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2025, with organic net sales growth of 1.7%. The company's fiscal year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Free cash flow for FY2025 was approximately 2.7 billion US dollars. Diageo's revenue has faced headwinds from unfavorable foreign exchange movements and challenging macroeconomic conditions in key markets including the United States and Greater China.
- Founded: 1997
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: DGE
Where Is Baileys Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Manufacturing / Operations: Ireland
Brands Owned by Diageo plc
- Captain Morgan - Brand of spiced rum and other rum-based spirits, one of the best-selling rum bra...
- Crown Royal - Canadian blended whisky brand created by Seagram in 1939, now owned by British m...
- Don Julio - Mexican premium tequila brand founded in 1942, one of the world's top-selling lu...
- Guinness - Irish dry stout beer brand, one of the world's most recognized and best-selling ...
- Johnnie Walker - Scottish brand of blended Scotch whisky, the world's best-selling blended Scotch...
- Smirnoff - Global vodka brand, the world's best-selling vodka by volume, produced by Diageo...
Baileys Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +World's best-selling cream liqueur with approximately 50% global market share
- +Category creator with over 50 years of brand heritage
- +Successful brand extensions into chocolates, ice cream, and coffee products
- +Diageo's global distribution network reaches 160+ countries
- +Uses authentic Irish dairy cream and Irish whiskey
Considerations
- -Niche cream liqueur category has limited overall growth ceiling
- -Seasonal consumption patterns with peaks during holiday periods
- -Health-conscious trends may impact cream-based alcohol consumption
- -Competition from private-label and regional cream liqueur brands
- -Dependence on Irish dairy supply chain for key ingredient
Frequently Asked Questions About Baileys
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Baileys
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Forman | USA | 1866 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Ab Inbev | Mexico | 1925 | Mass Market | Latin America | All Genders | |
| Lvmh | France | 1765 | Luxury | Europe | All Genders | |
| Constellation Brands | Mexico | 1925 | Mass Market | Latin America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

Jack Daniel's
Owned by Brown-Forman Corporation
American brand of Tennessee whiskey, one of the best-selling whiskey brands in the world.

Corona
Owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
Mexican beer brand known for its light lager served with a lime, one of the best-selling imported beers worldwide.

Hennessy
Owned by LVMH
French cognac brand renowned for exceptional quality and global prestige, owned by LVMH.

Modelo
Owned by Constellation Brands, Inc.
Mexican beer brand including Modelo Especial, America's best-selling beer since 2023.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Baileys competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Diageo plc Stock Information
Jobs at Diageo plc
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