Who Owns Totino's?
Totino's is owned by General Mills, Inc., a publicly traded American food company founded in 1928. The brand was founded in 1951 and acquired by General Mills in 1975. Totino's operates under General Mills' frozen food division headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Parent Company
General Mills, Inc.
Acquired
1975
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Who Owns Totino's?
- Parent Company: General Mills, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Acquired
- Acquisition Year: 1975
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: GIS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Totino's | General Mills, Inc. | Acquired |
History of Totino's
- Founded: 1951
- Founders: Rose Totino, Jim Totino
- Acquired by General Mills, Inc.: 1975
Totino's was founded in 1951 by Rose Totino and Jim Totino, who opened a small Italian take-out restaurant called Totino's Italian Kitchen in northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rose Totino, an Italian-American cook known for her pizza-making skills, developed recipes that quickly attracted a loyal following. The restaurant became so popular that customers began requesting frozen versions of the pizzas to take home.
Recognizing the opportunity, the Totinos began producing frozen pizzas in the early 1960s, becoming pioneers in the frozen pizza industry. Rose Totino developed a unique crispy crust recipe that could withstand freezing and reheating while maintaining its texture, a significant technical achievement at the time. The frozen pizzas were initially sold locally but quickly expanded to regional and then national distribution.
The Totino's Party Pizza concept, featuring a larger, more affordable pizza designed for sharing at gatherings and parties, became the brand's signature product. The value-oriented pricing strategy made frozen pizza accessible to budget-conscious families and college students, creating a loyal customer base that persists to this day.
In 1975, Pillsbury Company (later acquired by General Mills) purchased Totino's for $22 million. Rose Totino became a vice president at Pillsbury, one of the first women to hold such a position at a major American food company. Under corporate ownership, the brand expanded nationally and introduced Totino's Pizza Rolls in 1992, which became one of the best-selling frozen snack products in America. Pizza Rolls now outsell the original Party Pizza in many markets. General Mills acquired Pillsbury in 2001, bringing Totino's into its frozen food portfolio. The brand continues to innovate with new flavors and formats while maintaining its core value proposition of affordable, convenient frozen pizza and snack products.
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 Totino's Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Brands Owned by General Mills, Inc.
- Annie's - American brand of organic and natural food products including mac and cheese, sn...
- Cheerios - Iconic American breakfast cereal brand consisting of toasted oat-shaped O's, kno...
- Häagen-Dazs - Premium ice cream brand owned by Nestlé, known for high-quality ingredients and ...
Totino's Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Value-oriented frozen pizza brand with 70+ year heritage
- +Party pizza concept providing unique market positioning
- +Backed by General Mills' resources for innovation and distribution
- +Strong brand recognition and consumer loyalty in value pizza category
- +Convenient product formats including pizza rolls and bagel pizzas
Considerations
- -Budget pricing limiting premium positioning
- -Environmental concerns regarding packaging and plastic waste
- -Competition from other value frozen pizza brands
- -Sustainability questions about ingredient sourcing and production
- -Health and nutrition concerns with processed frozen pizza
Frequently Asked Questions About Totino's
Where to Buy
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Totino's on AmazonCompetitors to Totino's
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: Totino's 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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