Who Owns Best Foods?
Best Foods is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods corporation. Best Foods is the western United States brand name for the same mayonnaise and condiment products sold as Hellmann's in the eastern United States. Both brands were acquired by Unilever in 2000 when Unilever purchased Best Foods, which had owned Hellmann's since 1927.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
2000
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
California, United States
Who Owns Best Foods?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2000
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Best Foods | Unilever plc | Wholly owned |
History of Best Foods
- Founded: 1919
- Founders: Postum Foods (later Best Foods)
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 2000
Best Foods Mayonnaise was developed in the early 20th century as the West Coast counterpart to Hellmann's mayonnaise. While Hellmann's thrived on the East Coast, Best Foods Mayonnaise became popular on the West Coast, with the California company Postum Foods (later Best Foods) introducing their own mayonnaise that gained significant market share in western states.
In August 1927, Postum Foods acquired the Hellmann's brand, allowing Richard Hellmann to retire. By then both brands of mayonnaise had established commanding market shares in their respective halves of the country, so the company wisely decided to preserve both brands and their recipes in their respective territories.
To this day, the regional division continues: Best Foods Mayonnaise is sold west of the Rocky Mountains, specifically in and west of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico, while Hellmann's is sold east of the Rockies. This geographic division has been maintained for nearly a century, preserving the brand heritage and consumer loyalty in both regions.
In 2000, Unilever acquired Best Foods, bringing both Hellmann's and Best Foods into its global portfolio. The acquisition strengthened Unilever's position in the North American condiments market and added these iconic American brands to its international food brands collection.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever 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 index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Best Foods Made / Based?
- Headquarters: California, United States
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Global Unilever facilities
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Best Foods Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Iconic American brand heritage backed by Unilever's extensive R&D investment
- +Market leadership in mayonnaise and condiments category in western US
- +Strong distribution through Unilever's established retail channels
- +Continuous innovation in condiment formulations and packaging
- +Premium quality assurance supported by corporate resources and traditional recipes
Considerations
- -Premium pricing compared to store-brand alternatives
- -Regional brand division (Best Foods/Hellmann's) can create marketing complexity
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate policies
- -Competition from private label brands in the condiment market
- -Health concerns regarding mayonnaise's fat content affecting some consumers
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Foods
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