Who Owns Kraft Foods?

Kraft Foods operates under The Kraft Heinz Company (Nasdaq: KHC), formed through the 2015 merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz. In February 2026, new CEO Steve Cahillane paused the planned company split and committed $600 million to a turnaround focused on marketing, sales, and research.

Who Owns Kraft Foods?

The Kraft Heinz Company owns the Kraft brand portfolio following the July 2015 merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz. The business trades on Nasdaq under the ticker KHC and has roughly 1.18 billion outstanding shares.

Berkshire Hathaway remains the largest single shareholder at 27.5%. Institutional investors hold close to 78% of the float, with retail investors accounting for the remainder. The company is headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Kraft Foods Origin, Founders and Early Years

James L. Kraft started a wholesale cheese delivery business in Chicago in 1903 with $65 and a horse named Paddy. His four brothers joined soon after, and the company incorporated as J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company in 1909.

Early Innovation and Growth

Kraft patented spoil-resistant processed cheese in 1916. The product drove sales to the U.S. Army during World War I and shaped the company’s growth through the 1920s.

Corporate Restructuring

Philip Morris acquired Kraft in 1988. The food business spun off as an independent public company in 2007 before merging with H.J. Heinz in 2015.

Largest Shareholders of Kraft Foods

Berkshire Hathaway leads the shareholder list, followed by passive index managers. Greg Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett as Berkshire CEO at the end of 2025, indicated in April 2026 that Berkshire would not exit its position despite earlier filings suggesting a possible sale.

Who Is on the Board of Directors for Kraft Foods?

The Kraft Heinz Board has 12 directors as of 2026. John T. Cahill became Board Chair on January 1, 2026, succeeding Miguel Patricio. Three new independent directors joined in October 2025, and CEO Steve Cahillane took his seat in January 2026. The board is structured around three areas of governance experience.

Executive Leadership and Operations

Finance and Investment Strategy

Consumer, Marketing and Human Capital

Kraft Foods Products and Services

Kraft Heinz manufactures and markets food and beverage products sold in more than 190 countries. The retail channel drives roughly 85% of total sales, with foodservice accounting for the remainder. The company groups its offering across condiments, dairy, meals, beverages, and proteins.

How Did Kraft Foods Get Its Name?

The Kraft name comes from James Lewis Kraft, the founder of the original cheese delivery business. Born in Stevensville, Ontario in 1874, Kraft moved to Chicago and started selling cheese door-to-door in 1903.

The company incorporated in 1909 as J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company after his four brothers joined the venture. The name shortened to Kraft Cheese Company in 1914 as the business expanded beyond delivery into wholesale and retail.

The Kraft Foods Company designation emerged in 1945 after a merger with Phenix Cheese Corporation. The current Kraft Heinz name was adopted on July 2, 2015, when Kraft Foods Group combined with H.J. Heinz under a combined corporate structure.

Kraft Foods Mission Statement

Kraft Heinz states its purpose as “Let’s Make Life Delicious.” The company describes its vision as “To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally.” Five values guide the business: consumer obsession, integrity, daily improvement, generosity, and demand for diversity.

The mission centers on responsible growth and global consumer reach. Steve Cahillane announced in February 2026 a $600 million investment across marketing, sales, and R&D. The investment replaced the planned company separation and targets a return to organic sales growth, drawing parallels with shifting consumer food preferences.

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