Who Owns Cheerios?
Cheerios is owned by General Mills, a publicly traded American multinational food manufacturing company founded in 1866. General Mills trades on NYSE under ticker GIS and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Parent Company
General Mills, Inc.
Founded
1941
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Who Owns Cheerios?
- Parent Company: General Mills, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: GIS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cheerios | General Mills, Inc. | Wholly owned |
History of Cheerios
- Founded: 1941
- Founders: General Mills (internal development)
Cheerios was introduced by General Mills in 1941 under the name "CheeriOats." The cereal was developed as a ready-to-eat oat cereal that was easier to prepare than traditional oatmeal while maintaining the nutritional benefits of oats. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for convenient, healthy breakfast options while establishing a distinctive product concept that would define the ready-to-eat cereal category for generations.
The name was changed to "Cheerios" in 1945 after a trademark dispute with Quaker Oats. The distinctive O-shaped pieces were created through a special puffing process that gave the cereal its unique texture and shape. This innovative manufacturing process demonstrated General Mills' exceptional ability to create distinctive product features while establishing a competitive advantage in the breakfast cereal market.
Cheerios gained popularity throughout the 1940s and 1950s as a convenient, healthy breakfast option for families. The brand introduced its first variety, Honey Nut Cheerios, in 1979, which became one of the most successful cereal launches in history. This successful product extension demonstrated Cheerios' ability to innovate within its product category while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Cheerios expanded with numerous varieties including Apple Cinnamon, Frosted, MultiGrain, and Protein Cheerios. The brand maintained its positioning as a heart-healthy breakfast choice, receiving FDA approval for heart health claims. This period of innovation demonstrated Cheerios' ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and nutritional science while maintaining its core brand values and commitment to health and wellness.
Today, Cheerios remains one of America's most popular cereals and has expanded globally, with variations available in numerous international markets. This sustained success demonstrates Cheerios' ability to maintain cultural relevance while adapting to changing market conditions and consumer preferences across multiple geographic regions and cultural contexts.
About General Mills, Inc.
What does General Mills own?
General Mills owns a portfolio of consumer food brands including Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Wheaties, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Totino's, Old El Paso, Annie's, and Blue Buffalo pet food. The company operates in more than 100 countries and sells products across breakfast cereals, snacks, baking, frozen foods, yogurt, and pet food categories.
Is General Mills publicly traded?
Yes, General Mills, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker GIS. The company has been publicly traded for decades and has paid dividends continuously for more than 125 years. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. General Mills has no single controlling shareholder.
Who founded General Mills?
General Mills was formed in 1928 through the merger of Washburn-Crosby Company and several other flour milling companies. Washburn-Crosby Company was founded in 1866 by Cadwallader Washburn and John Crosby in Minneapolis, Minnesota. James Ford Bell led the 1928 merger that created General Mills. The company's origins in flour milling trace to the 1860s, making it one of the oldest consumer food companies in the United States.
Where is General Mills headquartered?
General Mills is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The company has maintained its headquarters in the Minneapolis area since its founding, reflecting the city's historical importance as a center of flour milling and food processing. General Mills operates manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and other regions.
How many brands does General Mills own?
General Mills owns more than 100 consumer food brands across breakfast cereals, snacks, baking products, frozen foods, yogurt, and pet food. Key brands include Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Lucky Charms, Totino's, Old El Paso, Annie's, and Blue Buffalo. The company sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Who owns General Mills?
General Mills, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Jeff Harmening serves as Chairman and CEO. General Mills has no founding family or private equity controlling shareholder.
- Founded: 1928
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: GIS
Where Is Cheerios Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, Mexico, Various international locations
Brands Owned by General Mills, Inc.
- Annie's - American brand of organic and natural food products including mac and cheese, sn...
- Häagen-Dazs - Premium ice cream brand owned by Nestlé, known for high-quality ingredients and ...
- Totino's - Frozen pizza brand owned by General Mills, known for party pizzas and budget-fri...
Cheerios Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by General Mills' extensive distribution and marketing resources
- +Strong brand recognition and consumer trust across generations
- +Heart-healthy positioning and nutritional benefits
- +Continuous product innovation with new varieties
- +Global manufacturing network ensuring consistent availability
Considerations
- -Competition from private label cereals and breakfast alternatives
- -Changing breakfast habits and declining cereal consumption
- -Commodity price volatility affecting grain costs
- -Regulatory pressures regarding health claims and marketing
- -Need for innovation in plant-based and functional foods
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheerios
Where to Buy
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Cheerios on AmazonCompetitors to Cheerios
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nestle | Switzerland | 1921 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Ferrero | Italy | 1923 | Mass Market | Europe | All Genders | |
| Mondelez International | United Kingdom | 1824 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Mars Inc | USA | 1921 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Pepsico | USA (PepsiCo headquarters) | 1964 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Wonderful Company | USA | 1996 | Luxury | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Baby Ruth
Owned by Nestlé
Chocolate candy bar brand owned by Nestlé, featuring peanuts, caramel, and chocolate.
Butterfinger
Owned by Ferrero
Chocolate candy bar brand owned by Ferrero Group, known for its crispy, flaky texture.
Cadbury
Owned by Mondelez International
British multinational confectionery brand known for chocolate bars, Dairy Milk, Creme Eggs, and other confectionery products.
Cheez-It
Owned by Mars, Incorporated
American brand of cheese cracker snacks originally made by Kellogg's Kellanova division, now owned by Mars, Incorporated.
Doritos
Owned by PepsiCo
American brand of flavored tortilla chips produced by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, known for its bold flavors and triangular shape.
Fiji Water
Owned by The Wonderful Company
American bottled water brand sourcing artesian water from an underground aquifer in Viti Levu, Fiji, known for its distinctive square bottle and premium positioning.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Cheerios competes with 6 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.
General Mills, Inc. Stock Information
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