McCormick and Company

Who owns French's mustard?
French's mustard is owned by McCormick and Company, which acquired it along with Frank's RedHot when it purchased Reckitt Benckiser's food division for $4.2 billion in 2017.

Who owns Frank's RedHot?
Frank's RedHot is owned by McCormick and Company, acquired from Reckitt Benckiser in 2017. Frank's RedHot is the leading hot sauce brand in the United States by retail value.

Is McCormick acquiring Hellmann's?
Yes. McCormick and Unilever announced on March 31, 2026, that McCormick will acquire Unilever's entire food business, including Hellmann's mayonnaise, Knorr, and other food brands, in a transaction valued at approximately $44.8 billion. The deal is expected to close by mid-2027 pending regulatory approval.

Is McCormick publicly traded?
Yes. McCormick and Company trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker MKC. The company also has a non-voting share class listed as MKC/V.

McCormick was founded in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, by 25-year-old Willoughby McCormick, who started the business selling flavoring extracts, fruit syrups, and juices door to door. The company incorporated in 1903 and began developing its spice and seasoning business in the early 20th century.

A distinctive feature of McCormick's corporate history is its ownership structure. The founding McCormick family maintained significant influence through a dual-class share structure for much of the company's history. McCormick has two classes of stock: common stock (NYSE: MKC) and non-voting common stock (NYSE: MKC/V). This structure has historically provided stability and protected against hostile takeover.

The company expanded internationally from the 1950s onward, establishing manufacturing and distribution in Europe and Asia. McCormick acquired Old Bay seasoning in 1990, the iconic Baltimore crab seasoning brand, and Lawry's seasoning salts in 2008, adding two of the most recognisable seasoning brands in the United States to its portfolio.

The 2017 Reckitt Benckiser food acquisition transformed McCormick's profile from a spice-dominant company to a more balanced spice and condiment business. French's mustard, as the number-one selling yellow mustard in the United States, and Frank's RedHot, the dominant hot sauce brand by retail value, significantly increased McCormick's consumer brand revenue and visibility.

In 2020, McCormick acquired Cholula hot sauce for approximately $800 million, adding a premium Mexican-heritage hot sauce to its portfolio alongside Frank's RedHot.