Kraft Heinz Company
American multinational food company formed by the merger of Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz, one of the largest food and beverage companies globally.
Company Type
public
Founded
2015
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Stock
NASDAQ: KHC
About Kraft Heinz Company
Kraft Heinz operates through multiple segments including North America, International, and various product categories. The company generates approximately $26 billion in annual revenue and sells products in nearly 200 countries. In 2025, North America accounted for $18.6 billion in sales, while international developed markets contributed $3.5 billion and emerging markets added $2.8 billion.
The company's portfolio includes some of America's most iconic food brands spanning condiments, cheese, meals, meats, coffee, and beverages. Kraft Heinz maintains a vast manufacturing network with dozens of production facilities worldwide, enabling efficient distribution and local market adaptation.
Under CEO Steve Cahillane's leadership, Kraft Heinz has implemented a "Taste Elevation" strategy focused on improving product quality, investing in innovation, and strengthening brand marketing. The company's 2026 $600 million investment plan targets marketing, sales, R&D, and product superiority initiatives to drive profitable growth.
Kraft Heinz's business model benefits from strong brand recognition, extensive distribution networks, and economies of scale in manufacturing and procurement. The company's global presence allows it to leverage cross-market synergies and adapt products to local tastes while maintaining consistent quality standards across all operations.
The company faces challenges including changing consumer preferences toward healthier and more natural foods, intense competition from private label brands, and inflationary pressures on input costs. However, Kraft Heinz's strong cash generation capabilities and iconic brand portfolio provide resilience and flexibility to navigate these challenges while pursuing growth opportunities in emerging markets and product innovation.
History of Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company was created on July 2, 2015, when Kraft Foods Group merged with H.J. Heinz Company. The merger was orchestrated by 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway, who had jointly acquired H.J. Heinz in 2013 for $23 billion.
The constituent companies have much longer histories. H.J. Heinz was founded by Henry J. Heinz in 1869 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, and became famous for its "57 Varieties" slogan and ketchup. Kraft Foods traces its origins to James L. Kraft, who started a cheese delivery business in Chicago in 1903.
After the 2015 merger, Kraft Heinz implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures through 3G Capital's zero-based budgeting approach. While this initially boosted profit margins, the company faced criticism for underinvesting in its brands. In February 2019, Kraft Heinz wrote down the value of its Kraft and Oscar Mayer brands by $15.4 billion and disclosed an SEC investigation into its accounting practices.
Since then, Kraft Heinz has worked to rebuild brand equity and refocus on innovation and organic growth under newer leadership. In 2023, Steve Cahillane was appointed CEO, bringing extensive experience from his previous roles at Conagra Brands and Campbell Soup Company. Under Cahillane's leadership, Kraft Heinz has shifted from cost-cutting to investment in brand building and innovation.
In 2025, Kraft Heinz reported challenging financial results with net sales decreasing 3.5% to $24.9 billion, while generating strong free cash flow of $3.7 billion. The company faced operational challenges in its U.S. business but saw growth in international markets, particularly in emerging markets where sales increased 1.8%.
In early 2026, Kraft Heinz announced a major strategic shift, pausing work related to a potential separation of the company and instead announcing a $600 million investment in commercial levers including marketing, sales, R&D, and product superiority. This investment represents a significant departure from the previous cost-cutting focus and demonstrates the company's commitment to returning to profitable growth through brand investment.
Brands Owned by Kraft Heinz Company
Kraft Heinz Company owns 1 brand in our database.
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Stock Information
Kraft Heinz Company Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Iconic brand portfolio with some of the most recognized food brands globally
- +Strong cash generation capabilities and robust balance sheet
- +Global distribution network reaching nearly 200 countries
- +Economies of scale in manufacturing and procurement
- +Recent strategic shift toward brand investment and innovation
- +Strong shareholder support from Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital
- +Diversified product categories reducing dependence on any single segment
- +Significant market share in core categories like condiments and cheese
Considerations
- -Intense competition from private label brands and store brands
- -Changing consumer preferences toward healthier and natural food options
- -Inflationary pressures on input costs affecting profit margins
- -Historical underinvestment in brands requiring significant catch-up spending
- -Regulatory challenges regarding food labeling and health claims
- -Dependence on major retailers for distribution and shelf space
- -Currency fluctuations impacting international operations
- -Need for continuous innovation to maintain relevance with changing consumer tastes
Frequently Asked Questions About Kraft Heinz Company
Is Kraft Heinz owned by another company?
No, Kraft Heinz is an independent publicly traded company. However, it was created through the 2015 merger of Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz, orchestrated by 3G Capital and Berkshire Hathaway, which remain the largest shareholders and maintain significant influence over corporate strategy.
Is Kraft Heinz publicly traded?
Yes, Kraft Heinz is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol KHC. The company has been publicly traded since the 2015 merger, allowing investors to purchase shares and own a portion of the combined food company.
When was Kraft Heinz founded?
Kraft Heinz was founded on July 2, 2015, through the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Company. However, its constituent brands have much longer histories, with Heinz dating back to 1869 and Kraft Foods tracing its origins to 1903.
Who owns Kraft Heinz?
Kraft Heinz is owned by its public shareholders, with the largest shareholders being Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett's conglomerate) and 3G Capital (Brazilian private equity firm). These two entities engineered the 2015 merger and continue to hold significant ownership stakes.
What brands does Kraft Heinz own?
Kraft Heinz owns numerous iconic food brands including Heinz, Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Velveeta, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Maxwell House, Lunchables, Ore-Ida, and many others across condiments, cheese, meals, meats, beverages, and desserts categories.
Where is Kraft Heinz headquartered?
Kraft Heinz maintains dual headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Chicago location reflects the Kraft Foods heritage while Pittsburgh represents the Heinz legacy and remains home to significant operations.
What is Kraft Heinz's current strategy?
Under CEO Steve Cahillane, Kraft Heinz is implementing a "Taste Elevation" strategy focused on returning to profitable growth through a $600 million investment in marketing, R&D, and product superiority, moving away from the previous cost-cutting approach toward brand building and innovation.
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