Many of the most iconic American brands, companies that we have grown up with and consider to be a part of our national identity, are no longer American-owned. Over the years, many of these household names have been quietly acquired by large, international corporations in business deals that generate very little public attention. While the products and branding often remain the same, the profits and the ultimate decision-making power now reside overseas. This shift in ownership is a quiet but powerful sign of an increasingly globalized economy.
1. Ben & Jerry’s
The quirky, Vermont-based ice cream brand known for its social activism and creative flavors feels like a quintessentially American company. However, in 2000, it was acquired by the British multinational consumer goods giant Unilever. While the founders have maintained some control over the brand’s social mission, the profits from every pint of Cherry Garcia or Phish Food ultimately go to a London-based corporation.
2. Budweiser
Budweiser, the self-proclaimed “King of Beers,” has been one of the most famous American beer brands for over a century. Its association with American culture, from the Super Bowl to the Clydesdale horses, is iconic. That all changed in 2008 when its parent company, Anheuser-Busch, was acquired by the Belgian-Brazilian conglomerate InBev. The all-American beer is now owned by a company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium.
3. Burger King
The classic American fast-food chain and home of the Whopper is another brand that is no longer American-owned. In 2014, Burger King was acquired by the Canadian fast-food company Tim Hortons, with financial backing from a Brazilian investment firm. The merger created a new parent company called Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
4. Firestone Tires
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was an American institution for nearly a century, founded in Akron, Ohio, the rubber capital of the world. After facing severe financial difficulties, the company was acquired by the Japanese corporation Bridgestone in 1988. While the Firestone name is still prominently displayed on auto service centers across the country, it is a subsidiary of a company based in Tokyo, Japan.
5. Gerber
Gerber has been the most trusted name in American baby food for generations, and its iconic “Gerber Baby” logo is instantly recognizable. The company was founded in Michigan and remained an American staple for decades. However, in 2007, the company was sold to the Swiss multinational food and drink processing conglomerate Nestlé, the largest food company in the world.
A Globalized Marketplace
The sale of these iconic brands to foreign companies is a natural result of an interconnected global economy. These acquisitions often provide the American brand with the financial resources needed to grow and compete on a larger scale. For the American consumer, however, it can be a surprising revelation to learn that the profits from some of their most beloved “all-American” products are flowing to a corporate headquarters on another continent.
Are you surprised to learn these brands are foreign-owned? Do you think the country of ownership matters for a brand? Let us know your opinion!
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