Red Baron is the No. 1 frozen pizza brand in America, according to its own maker. Most shoppers have no idea who is behind it. The answer starts in a small Minnesota town and ends with one of the biggest food companies in South Korea.
Who Owns Red Baron Pizza in 2026?
Red Baron is owned by CJ Schwan’s, which was formerly called Schwan’s Company. That company is a subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang, a food giant from South Korea, which bought about 80% of it in 2019.
So the short answer is simple. A Korean parent company owns the most famous frozen pizza brand in a Minnesota freezer aisle. It is a good example of a food and beverage brand that changed hands without most customers noticing.
Ownership and Key Stakeholders Table
| Owner / Party | Role | Stake | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ CheilJedang | Ultimate parent company | About 80% of Schwan’s | Bought its majority stake in 2019 for roughly $1.8 billion |
| CJ Schwan’s (Schwan’s Company) | Direct owner of Red Baron | Owns the Red Baron brand | Also makes Tony’s, Freschetta, Big Daddy’s and Villa Prima pizzas |
| Schwan family | Former owners | Kept about 20% when the deal was announced | Marvin Schwan founded the company in 1952 |
| Gregory Yep | Interim CEO | Management role | Named in March 2026; also CEO of CJ Foods |
| Marvin Schwan | Founder | Historical | Began home delivery in Marshall, Minnesota; died in 1993 |
| Kroger | Retail partner | No ownership | Sold the exclusive Red Baron and bibigo pizza in February 2026 |
The Origin Story: Ice Cream Trucks in Marshall, Minnesota
The story begins in 1952, when Marvin Schwan started delivering homemade ice cream to rural homes around Marshall, Minnesota. His company grew into a frozen food delivery business with trucks in many states.
In the 1970s, the company began selling pizza to schools and launched Red Baron for grocery stores. It even created a Red Baron Squadron flight team to promote the brand. Marvin Schwan died in 1993, and his older brother Alfred Schwan became president.
How a Korean Company Came to Own Red Baron
By 2018, the Schwan family was ready to sell. In November 2018, CJ CheilJedang agreed to buy 80% of the company in a $1.8 billion deal. It was the biggest purchase in CJ’s 65-year history, and it was completed in February 2019.
The family said keeping jobs and operations in Minnesota was the most important part of the deal. They also kept the home delivery business, which was renamed Yelloh in 2022 and closed in November 2024, according to The New York Times.
Who Runs Red Baron’s Parent Company Today?
In 2024, the company named Brian Schiegg as its seventh CEO. On March 16, 2026, CJ Schwan’s named Dr. Gregory Yep, chairman of its board and CEO of CJ Foods, as interim CEO.
That move shows how closely the Minnesota business is now tied to its Korean parent. The company says Red Baron sells more than $1 billion of pizza every year.
What Is New for Red Baron in 2026?
Red Baron is marking its 50th year, and it has been busy. In February 2026, it launched a Korean BBQ-Style Classic Crust Pizza with its sister brand bibigo, sold only at Kroger while supplies lasted. Executives have called bibigo a possible next billion-dollar brand.
In September 2026, it launched CRUNCHTIME, a 10-inch microwave pizza ready in five minutes, with a suggested price of $5.99. For the anniversary, it also ran a 50-topping pizza giveaway.
Is Red Baron Owned by Nestlé, General Mills or a Pizza Chain?
No. Nestlé makes DiGiorno, and it also owns Hot Pockets. General Mills makes Totino’s. Both are rivals of Red Baron, not owners.
Red Baron is also different from Pizza Hut, Papa John’s and Blaze Pizza. Those are restaurant chains that sell fresh pizza, while Red Baron is a grocery-store brand with a separate owner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who owns Red Baron Pizza in 2026?
CJ Schwan’s owns it, and CJ CheilJedang of South Korea owns about 80% of that company.
Q2. Who owned Red Baron before CJ CheilJedang?
The Schwan family owned it through The Schwan Food Company until the 2019 sale.
Q3. How much did CJ pay for Schwan’s?
CJ paid about $1.8 billion for an 80% stake.
Q4. Is Red Baron owned by Nestlé or General Mills?
No, Nestlé owns DiGiorno and General Mills owns Totino’s, which are rival brands.
Q5. Where is Red Baron based?
The company is Minnesota-based, with its main operations in Marshall.
Q6. Who is the CEO of Red Baron’s parent company?
Gregory Yep was named interim CEO of CJ Schwan’s on March 16, 2026.
Q7. What other brands does the same company make?
It also makes Tony’s, Freschetta, Big Daddy’s, Villa Prima, Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards.
Q8. Is Red Baron the top frozen pizza brand?
The company says Red Baron is the No. 1 frozen pizza brand in the United States.
Red Baron Pizza is owned by CJ Schwan’s, a subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang of South Korea. CJ bought about 80% of the company in 2019 for roughly $1.8 billion, ending the Schwan family’s control. The brand started in Marshall, Minnesota and is still run from Minnesota today, with Gregory Yep as interim CEO.
Official Website: redbaron.com
