Quick Facts: Kraft Mac and Cheese
| Owner | The Kraft Heinz Company |
| CEO | Carlos Abrams-Rivera |
| Founded | 1937 (Kraft Mac & Cheese product launch) |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Ownership Type | Public |
| Stock Ticker | NASDAQ: KHC |
| Publicly Traded | Yes |
Who Owns Kraft Mac and Cheese?
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese — the iconic blue box product that has been a staple of American kitchens for nearly a century — is owned by The Kraft Heinz Company, a publicly traded food and beverage conglomerate listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol KHC. Kraft Heinz was formed in 2015 through the merger of the Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Company, a deal engineered by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett’s investment company) and 3G Capital, the Brazilian private equity firm. Kraft Heinz is one of the largest food companies in North America and fifth-largest in the world.
The two major controlling shareholders of Kraft Heinz are Berkshire Hathaway, which holds approximately 26–27% of the company, and 3G Capital, which holds a significant stake through various vehicles. Warren Buffett’s involvement through Berkshire Hathaway makes Kraft Heinz one of the most closely watched consumer staples stocks on Wall Street. The company’s CEO is Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who was appointed in 2024 after Miguel Patricio served in the role from 2019 to 2023. Abrams-Rivera previously led Kraft Heinz’s North America division before taking the top role.
Kraft Mac & Cheese was first introduced in 1937 during the Great Depression as an affordable, easy-to-prepare meal that could feed a family of four for just nineteen cents. It became one of the most recognizable products in American food history. The blue box — officially called “Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner” — sells hundreds of millions of units annually in North America alone. Kraft Heinz owns dozens of iconic food brands alongside Mac & Cheese, including Heinz ketchup, Oscar Mayer, Velveeta, Philadelphia cream cheese, Jell-O, and Kool-Aid.
About The Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company was formed in 2015 when Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital engineered the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz (which they had taken private in 2013). The combined entity created a food giant with annual revenues exceeding $25 billion. Kraft Heinz’s portfolio spans packaged meals, condiments, cheese, snacks, and beverages. The company has gone through significant restructuring in recent years — including a $15.4 billion write-down in 2019 tied to the declining value of the Kraft and Oscar Mayer brands — as consumer preferences shifted toward fresher, less-processed foods. Despite these challenges, core brands like Kraft Mac & Cheese, Heinz ketchup, and Oscar Mayer have remained profitable fixtures of the American pantry.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Berkshire Hathaway is the largest shareholder: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway holds approximately 26–27% of Kraft Heinz, making it the company’s largest single shareholder and giving Buffett’s investment conglomerate significant influence over the company’s direction.
- 3G Capital played a key role in forming Kraft Heinz: The Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital, known for its aggressive cost-cutting management style, partnered with Berkshire Hathaway to take H.J. Heinz private in 2013 and then orchestrate its 2015 merger with Kraft Foods Group to create The Kraft Heinz Company.
- Kraft Mac & Cheese has been sold since 1937: The blue box is one of the longest-running packaged food products in American history, launched during the Great Depression as an affordable family meal. It remains one of the most purchased grocery items in the United States nearly 90 years later.
- Kraft Heinz owns an iconic brand portfolio: In addition to Kraft Mac & Cheese, Kraft Heinz owns Heinz ketchup, Oscar Mayer, Velveeta, Philadelphia cream cheese, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Capri Sun (in some markets), and dozens of other household names.
- Carlos Abrams-Rivera is CEO: Appointed as CEO in 2024, Carlos Abrams-Rivera previously led Kraft Heinz’s North America segment. He succeeded Miguel Patricio, who had led the company’s restructuring efforts since 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Kraft Mac and Cheese?
Kraft Mac and Cheese is owned by The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC), a publicly traded food conglomerate. Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett) is the largest shareholder with roughly 26–27% ownership. Carlos Abrams-Rivera is CEO.
Is Kraft Heinz publicly traded?
Yes. The Kraft Heinz Company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol KHC. It is one of the largest food companies in North America and a widely held consumer staples stock.
When was Kraft Mac and Cheese created?
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese was launched in 1937 during the Great Depression, marketed as an affordable and easy-to-prepare meal for families. It sold for nineteen cents and could feed a family of four, helping it become an immediate bestseller.
Does Warren Buffett own Kraft Heinz?
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the largest single shareholder in The Kraft Heinz Company, holding approximately 26–27% of the company’s shares. Buffett and 3G Capital partnered to create Kraft Heinz through the 2015 merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz.