3 things to know about new Nestle U.S. owner Ferrero (2024)

To most people, Ferrero is simply the first part of the name of individually wrapped hazelnut chocolate pieces that you often see outaround Valentine's Day and Mother's Day — Ferrero Rocher.

3 things to know about new Nestle U.S. owner Ferrero (1)

But on Tuesday, the European chocolate company announced it was buying Nestle's U.S.confectionary business for $2.8 billion. Then, Ferrero was back in the news on Friday when riots broke out around France over its hazelnut chocolate spread Nutella. TheIntermarché supermarket chain had cut the price of 950-gram jars 70% from $5.85 to $1.75 and shoppers went nuts.

AsFerrero becomes the third-largest chocolate maker on the planet behind Hershey and Mars, according to the market research company Euromonitor International, here are threethings to know about the company.

It has a bigger portfolio than you think.

OK, admit it -- you didn't realize Ferrero owned Nutella. But here are two other brands in the company's stable that may surprise you, too: Tic Tacs and Kinder Chocolate.

Plus, in May, the company bought Fannie May Confections Brands from 1-800-FLOWERS for $115 million and in October, Ferrero announced it was going to acquireFerrara Candy Co. from an undisclosed amount from theprivate equity firm L Catterton. Ferrara's line-up includes Brach's, Lemonheads, Red Hotsand Trolli.

Now with the Nestle acquisition, it adds Baby Ruth, 100 Grand, Laffy Taffy, Raisinets, Goobers and Oh Henry!, among others, to that list.

The fate of one of its new candy bars is in question.Well, at least itsname.

Most of Nestle'sU.S. brands don't include the word "Nestle" in the name. For example, did Bart Simpson say, "Nobody better lay a finger on my Nestle Butterfinger!"or "Nobody better lay a finger on my Butterfinger!"?

Here's an exception: Nestle Crunch. (Cue the 1980s-era commercial that informed America that "chocolate isscrunchious when it crunches.")

Nestle Crunch, which has crisped rice embedded into the chocolate bar,was introduced in 1938 in the U.S., but now is sold worldwide, according to Nestle.

Ferrero declined to say if the name of thesweet treat would be tweaked.

"We cannot comment at this point on future business strategies regarding this business or products," the company said in an e-mail.

More:'Nutella riots' erupt in France over discounted chocolate-hazelnut spread

More:Nestle is selling its U.S. candy business to Ferrero for about $2.8 billion

More:First permanent Nutella Cafe opens in Chicago

Ferrero is a family business.

The company has its roots in Italy, where in the 1940s,Piera and Pietro Ferrero turned a pastry shop into a factory. According to the website, Ferrero was the first Italian candy maker manufacturer to open production sites and offices abroad after World War II.

The couple'sson, Michele, and his wife, Maria, took over and then, their sons,Pietro and Giovanni Ferrero, stepped up. Pietro died in 2011; Giovanni is currently the company's executive chairman.

Today, Ferrero is headquartered in Luxembourg and says it has global sales topping $12 billion with distribution across more than 170 countries.

The company entered the U.S. market in 1969 with Tic Tacs.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer

3 things to know about new Nestle U.S. owner Ferrero (2024)

FAQs

Is Ferrero owner of Nestle? ›

In October 2017, Ferrero announced that they would acquire the Ferrara Candy Company. The acquisition was completed that December. On 16 January 2018, it was reported that Ferrero was purchasing Nestlé's American confectionery business for $2.8 billion.

Why did Nestle sell to Ferrero? ›

Nestle, the country's fourth-largest candy company, has said it put its U.S. candy business on the market to focus on healthy foods. The Italian Ferrero, meanwhile, is trying to expand into new territory — and will become the third-largest U.S. candy-maker in the process.

What does Ferrero USA do? ›

The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks, including Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac® and Ferrero Rocher®.

Who is the owner of Ferrero Rocher? ›

Since its founding in Alba, Italy, in 1946, Ferrero has been a private, family-owned company, now in its third generation. It is led by Mr Giovanni Ferrero as Executive Chairman and Mr Lapo Civiletti as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Is Ferrero related to Nestle? ›

To most people, Ferrero is simply the first part of the name of individually wrapped hazelnut chocolate pieces that you often see out around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day — Ferrero Rocher. But on Tuesday, the European chocolate company announced it was buying Nestle's U.S. confectionary business for $2.8 billion.

Who owns Nestle USA? ›

When did Ferrero acquire Nestle? ›

Ferrero completes acquisition of Nestle USA's confectionery business | 2018-04-02 | Food Business News.

Why is Ferrero so successful? ›

The single most important reason for Ferrero's success ever since its inception is the quality of its products. But Ferrero isn't just about the products; it is about the stand-alone brands – Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher that are renowned worldwide.

Does Nestle own Ferraro? ›

In November 2017, The Ferrero Group announced that they were going to acquire the company, which was finalized in December 2017. In 2018, Ferrara's parent company Ferrero SpA purchased Nestlé's U.S. candy line for $2.8 billion and handed responsibility for most products to Ferrara.

Is Ferrero in the USA? ›

Ferrero is the fastest growing confectionery company in North America, generating double digit growth and guiding multiple brand turnarounds over the years.

What makes Ferrero unique? ›

Ferrero Rocher was born in 1982 after a very long process of research and development for excellence. Thanks to its unique and exquisite recipe, the refined golden wrapper and a distinctive transparent box, Ferrero Rocher was recognized since its launch as a true symbol of Ferrero quality and excellence.

What candy does Ferrero own? ›

In 2018 the Ferrero Group announced the acquisition of Nestlé USA's chocolate confectionary business through which many iconic American brands, such as Butterfinger, BabyRuth, 100Grand, Raisinets, and the exclusive right to the Crunch brand for the U.S. market became part of our extended brand portfolio.

How rich is the owner of Ferrero Rocher? ›

He assumed the leadership of the confectionery company Ferrero SpA after the death of his brother Pietro Ferrero in 2011. His personal fortune is estimated at $43.8 billion in 2024 according to Forbes, making him the 26th richest in the world, and richest person in Italy.

Who is the wife of Ferrero? ›

Maria Franca Fissolo

Is Nutella owned by Nestle? ›

Nutella (US: /nuːˈtɛlə/ noo-TEL-ə, UK: /nʌˈtɛlə/ nuh-TEL-ə, Italian: [nuˈtɛlla]) is a brand of brown, sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread. Nutella is manufactured by the Italian company Ferrero and was introduced in 1964, although its first iteration dates to 1963.

When did Ferrero buy Nestle? ›

Ferrero completes acquisition of Nestle USA's confectionery business | 2018-04-02 | Food Business News.

What brands did Ferrero buy from Nestle? ›

Ferrero will acquire more than 20 American brands with a rich heritage and strong awareness, including iconic chocolate brands such as Butterfinger®, BabyRuth®, 100Grand®, Raisinets®, Wonka® and the exclusive right to the Crunch® brand for confectionary and certain categories in the U.S., as well as sugar brands such ...

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