Who Owns Trident?
Trident is owned by Mondelez International, a publicly traded American multinational food and beverage corporation. Trident was originally created by American Chicle in 1964 and became part of Mondelez through Kraft Foods' acquisition of Cadbury in 2010. Mondelez is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Parent Company
Mondelez International
Acquired
2010
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Who Owns Trident?
- Parent Company: Mondelez International
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2010
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: MDLZ
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Trident | Mondelez International | Wholly owned |
History of Trident
- Founded: 1964
- Founders: American Chicle Company (internal development)
- Acquired by Mondelez International: 2010
Trident was introduced in 1964 by the American Chicle Company as one of the first sugar-free chewing gums. The name "Trident" refers to the three enzymes originally used in the gum's formula. The brand was positioned as a dental-friendly alternative to sugar-containing gums.
The American Chicle Company was acquired by Warner-Lambert in 1962. Warner-Lambert was subsequently acquired by Pfizer in 2000. In 2003, Pfizer sold its confectionery division (including Trident, Halls, and Dentyne) to Cadbury Schweppes for $4.2 billion.
When Kraft Foods acquired Cadbury in 2010, Trident became part of the Kraft portfolio. In 2012, Kraft split into two companies, and Trident joined Mondelez International, the global snacking division.
Today, Trident is one of the best-selling gum brands in the Americas, available in dozens of flavors across more than 50 countries.
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 Trident Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Mexico, Brazil, Various international locations
Brands Owned by Mondelez International
Trident Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by Mondelez's extensive global distribution network
- +Strong brand positioning as a sugar-free, dental-friendly gum
- +Significant marketing and R&D resources for product innovation
- +Wide variety of flavors catering to diverse consumer preferences
- +Global availability in 50+ countries
Considerations
- -Declining gum category as consumers shift to other snacks and mints
- -Competition from other gum brands and sugar-free alternatives
- -Dependency on Mondelez's corporate priorities in a challenging category
- -Health concerns about artificial sweeteners used in sugar-free gums
- -Market share pressure in some regions from local and private-label brands
Frequently Asked Questions About Trident
Where to Buy
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Trident on AmazonCompetitors to Trident
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: Trident 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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