Who Owns Crown Royal?
Crown Royal is owned by Diageo plc, a publicly traded British multinational alcoholic beverages company. Diageo trades on LSE under DGE and on NYSE under DEO and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Diageo acquired Crown Royal when it purchased Seagram's assets in 2000.
Parent Company
Diageo plc
Acquired
2000
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
Who Owns Crown Royal?
- Parent Company: Diageo plc
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Acquisition Year: 2000
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: DGE
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Royal | Diageo plc | Subsidiary |
History of Crown Royal
- Founded: 1939
- Founders: Samuel Bronfman
- Acquired by Diageo plc: 2000
Crown Royal was created in 1939 by Samuel Bronfman, the head of Seagram, for the 1939 royal tour of Canada by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The whisky was introduced as a premium Canadian whisky to honor the royal visit and was initially sold exclusively in Canada.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Crown Royal expanded its distribution within Canada and developed its reputation for quality and smooth taste. The brand's distinctive packaging in a crown-shaped bottle and purple bag became iconic among Canadian whisky consumers.
In the 1960s, Crown Royal was first introduced to international markets, particularly the United States, where it quickly became the top-selling Canadian whisky brand. The brand continued to grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s, expanding its product line with various expressions and limited editions.
In 2000, following the breakup of Seagram, Diageo acquired Seagram's beverage assets, including Crown Royal. Under Diageo's ownership, Crown Royal has continued to expand globally while maintaining its Canadian heritage and production.
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 Crown Royal Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada
- Manufacturing / Operations: Canada, Global (bottling facilities)
Brands Owned by Diageo plc
- Baileys - Irish cream liqueur brand, the world's best-selling cream liqueur, produced by D...
- Captain Morgan - Brand of spiced rum and other rum-based spirits, one of the best-selling rum bra...
- 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...
Crown Royal Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong brand recognition as Canada's leading whisky brand
- +Access to Diageo's global distribution network and marketing resources
- +Established reputation for quality and consistency
- +Iconic packaging and brand identity
- +Strong position in the growing premium spirits market
Considerations
- -Dependence on global spirits market conditions
- -Competition from other premium whisky brands
- -Changing consumer preferences in alcoholic beverages
- -Production facility consolidation affecting Canadian operations
- -Balance between Canadian heritage and global corporate ownership
Frequently Asked Questions About Crown Royal
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Crown Royal
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: Crown Royal 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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