Who Owns Ritz?
Ritz crackers are owned by Mondelez International, a publicly traded American multinational food and beverage corporation. The brand was originally introduced by Nabisco in 1934 and became part of Mondelez when Kraft Foods split in 2012. Mondelez is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Parent Company
Mondelez International
Founded
1934
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Who Owns Ritz?
- Parent Company: Mondelez International
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: MDLZ
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ritz | Mondelez International | Wholly owned |
History of Ritz
- Founded: 1934
- Founders: Nabisco (internal development)
Ritz crackers were introduced by Nabisco in 1934, during the Great Depression. The brand was named "Ritz" to evoke an association with the glamour and elegance of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, offering consumers an affordable taste of luxury during difficult economic times.
The round, buttery cracker was an immediate commercial success. Within three years of its launch, Ritz became the best-selling cracker in the world. The product's distinctive scalloped edges, golden color, and rich flavor set it apart from the more plain crackers available at the time.
Nabisco became part of Kraft Foods through a series of acquisitions. When Kraft Foods split into two companies in 2012, Ritz became part of Mondelez International, the global snacking company. Today, Ritz is sold in over 50 countries and remains one of the best-known cracker brands worldwide.
About Mondelez International
Mondelez operates as a focused snacking company with a portfolio concentrated in three primary categories: Biscuits (including cookies and crackers), Chocolate, and Gum and Candy. The company's strategy centers on its "local first" approach, combining global brand scale with local market expertise to drive growth across both developed and emerging markets.
The Biscuits segment is Mondelez's largest category, anchored by Oreo (the world's best-selling cookie), Ritz crackers, Chips Ahoy!, LU, Belvita, and Nabisco. The chocolate segment features Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone, Cote d'Or, and other premium chocolate brands. The Gum and Candy segment includes Trident, Dentyne, Halls, and other confectionery brands.
Mondelez's emerging markets business represents a significant growth opportunity, with the company generating substantial revenue from markets in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The company's ability to adapt global brands to local tastes while maintaining consistent quality has been a key competitive advantage in these markets.
The company faces a significant challenge from elevated cocoa prices, which reached record highs in 2024 and 2025 due to poor harvests in West Africa. Mondelez has responded through a combination of pricing actions, cost management, and product innovation to protect margins while maintaining consumer value.
- Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: MDLZ
Where Is Ritz Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, China, Indonesia, Various international locations
Brands Owned by Mondelez International
Ritz Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by Mondelez's extensive global distribution network
- +Strong brand heritage spanning over 90 years
- +Significant marketing and R&D resources from a major corporation
- +Global availability in 50+ countries
- +Diversified product line including original, whole wheat, and flavored varieties
Considerations
- -Competition from health-focused and artisanal cracker brands
- -Nutritional concerns about processed snack foods
- -Dependency on Mondelez's corporate priorities and strategies
- -Rising input costs affecting pricing in the cracker category
- -Market share pressure from private-label alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions About Ritz
Where to Buy
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Ritz on AmazonCompetitors to Ritz
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 | |
| Mars Inc | USA | 1960 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Nestle | Switzerland | 1935 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Mars Inc | USA | 1941 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Mars Inc | USA | 1936 | Mass Market | 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.
Galaxy Chocolate
Owned by Mars, Incorporated
British chocolate brand owned by Mars, Incorporated, known for smooth and creamy chocolate bars and confectionery products.
KitKat
Owned by Nestlé
Chocolate bar brand owned by Nestlé, featuring wafer biscuit coated with chocolate.
M&M's
Owned by Mars, Incorporated
American brand of candy-coated chocolate confections produced by Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's best-selling candy brands.
Maltesers
Owned by Mars, Incorporated
British chocolate confectionery brand owned by Mars, Incorporated, consisting of malted milk balls covered in milk chocolate. Originally launched in the UK in 1936 under the name "Energy Balls."
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Ritz 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.
Mondelez International Stock Information
Jobs at Mondelez International
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