Who Owns Kellogg's Corn Flakes?

Corn Flakes was invented in 1894 at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the sanitarium's superintendent, and his younger brother Will Keith Kellogg were experimenting with wheat-based foods for patients. They accidentally left a pot of boiled wheat to sit, and when they rolled it out, it formed thin flakes that toasted into a crisp cereal. The brothers patented the process in 1895 and began selling the product as Granose Flakes.

Will Kellogg recognized the commercial potential that the sanitarium's patients represented a limited market. In 1906, he founded the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company to sell Corn Flakes to the general public. He bought out his brother's interest in the cereal business and began mass production. The company was renamed Kellogg Company in 1922.

Corn Flakes became an immediate success. Will Kellogg invested heavily in advertising, including the first cereal advertisement in a national magazine. The brand's distinctive green rooster mascot, later named Cornelius, appeared on packaging in the 1950s and became one of the most recognized brand characters in American food marketing.

Throughout the 20th century, Corn Flakes was a staple of American breakfast tables. The brand expanded internationally, with manufacturing operations established in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other markets. Corn Flakes was the flagship product of Kellogg Company, which grew into one of the largest food companies in the world.

The cereal market changed significantly in the 2000s and 2010s. Consumer preferences shifted toward higher-protein breakfasts, grab-and-go options, and private-label cereals. Kellogg Company's cereal sales in North America stagnated while its snacking business grew. This divergence in performance between the cereal and snacking divisions led to the decision to split the company.

On October 2, 2023, Kellogg Company separated into WK Kellogg Co (North American cereal) and Kellanova (global snacking, international cereal, plant-based foods). Corn Flakes became part of WK Kellogg Co's portfolio, specifically in the "Next Core" brand tier alongside Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Krave, and All-Bran. The "core 6" brands, Frosted Flakes, Special K, Raisin Bran, Froot Loops, Frosted Mini Wheats, and Rice Krispies, accounted for approximately 70% of WK Kellogg Co's sales.

WK Kellogg Co struggled as an independent public company. Its stock price declined, and the company faced declining cereal consumption trends. In July 2025, Ferrero announced its acquisition of WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 billion. The deal closed on September 26, 2025, making WK Kellogg Co a private subsidiary of Ferrero.

Meanwhile, Kellanova, which retained the international Corn Flakes rights, was acquired by Mars, Incorporated on December 11, 2025, for $35.9 billion. This means that outside North America, Corn Flakes is now part of Mars, while within North America, it falls under Ferrero. The trademark licensing arrangements between the two companies govern the use of the Kellogg's name across different regions.