- Founded: February 19, 1906, in Battle Creek, Michigan
- 2024 Revenue: $12.74 billion (Kellanova) plus $2.7 billion (WK Kellogg Co)
- 2024 Employees: Approximately 24,000 (Kellanova) plus 4,000 (WK Kellogg Co)
- Market Cap: $29 billion (Kellanova, January 2026)
- Products sold in: 180+ countries worldwide
Kellogg Company was an American multinational food manufacturing company headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan. The company produced breakfast cereals, convenience foods, crackers, and toaster pastries under brands including Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes, Pringles, and Pop-Tarts.
In October 2023, Kellogg split into two separate companies. Kellanova retained the snacks and international cereal business, while WK Kellogg Co took over North American cereals. Mars Inc. acquired Kellanova in December 2025 for approximately $30 billion, while Ferrero agreed to purchase WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 billion.
Kellogg Company History
Kellogg Company Founder
Kellogg Company Competitors
Kellogg competed against major food manufacturers in the breakfast cereal and snack food markets. General Mills overtook Kellogg as the top U.S. cereal producer in 2001. The company also faced competition from private label brands, which grew to 9% market share by 2024.
| Company | Primary Products | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| General Mills | Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Nature Valley | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Post Holdings | Honey Bunches of Oats, Grape-Nuts, Pebbles | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Nestlé | Cheerios (international), Nesquik, Fitness | Vevey, Switzerland |
| PepsiCo (Quaker Oats) | Quaker Oatmeal, Life Cereal, Cap’n Crunch | Harrison, New York |
| Mondelēz International | Oreo, Ritz, belVita | Deerfield, Illinois |
| B&G Foods | Cream of Wheat, Back to Nature | Parsippany, New Jersey |
| Bob’s Red Mill | Oats, Granola, Hot Cereals | Milwaukie, Oregon |
| Nature’s Path | Organic cereals, Granola bars | Richmond, British Columbia |
| Kashi (now WK Kellogg) | Organic cereals, Plant-based foods | La Jolla, California |
| MOM Brands | Malt-O-Meal, private label cereals | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Kellogg Company Revenue
Kellogg Company generated annual revenues between $12 billion and $15 billion throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. The company reached peak revenue of $15.8 billion in 2022 before the corporate split reduced each successor company’s individual sales.
*2023-2024 figures represent Kellanova only, following October 2023 corporate split
Kellogg Company Acquisitions
Kellogg Company expanded beyond breakfast cereals through strategic acquisitions over several decades. The company built a portfolio spanning cookies, crackers, snack foods, and plant-based products through more than 15 major purchases.
The 2000 acquisition of Kashi Company marked Kellogg’s entry into the natural and organic foods segment. Kashi gave the company access to health-conscious consumers seeking whole grain and plant-based options. The brand later expanded into frozen meals and snack bars.
Kellogg’s $4.4 billion purchase of Keebler Foods in 2001 was the largest acquisition in company history at that time. The deal brought Cheez-It crackers, Famous Amos cookies, and the Keebler elf mascot into the portfolio. Kellogg later sold portions of the cookie business to Ferrero in 2019 for $1.3 billion.
The $2.7 billion Pringles acquisition from Procter & Gamble in 2012 transformed Kellogg into a global snacks powerhouse. Pringles operated in over 140 countries and gave Kellogg stronger international distribution. This purchase positioned the company as the second-largest snack food manufacturer worldwide.
In 2017, Kellogg acquired RXBAR for $600 million, adding a fast-growing protein bar brand popular with fitness consumers. The Chicago-based company was founded in 2012 and sold bars made from simple ingredients like egg whites, nuts, and dates. RXBAR later expanded into nut butters and children’s snack products.
Mondelēz International pursued similar acquisition strategies in the snack food sector during this period, making the global snacks market increasingly competitive.
Kellogg Company Market Cap
Kellogg Company’s market capitalization ranged between $20 billion and $28 billion during the decade before its 2023 split. The combined value of successor companies Kellanova ($29 billion) and WK Kellogg Co ($2 billion) exceeded the pre-split valuation by early 2026.
*2024 represents combined market cap of Kellanova ($29B) and WK Kellogg Co ($2B)
FAQs
Who founded Kellogg Company?
Will Keith Kellogg founded the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company on February 19, 1906, in Battle Creek, Michigan. He started with 44 employees after developing corn flakes with his brother.
Why did Kellogg split into two companies?
Kellogg split in October 2023 to let each business focus on its core market. Kellanova handles snacks and international cereals, while WK Kellogg Co manages North American cereal brands.
Who owns Kellogg Company now?
Mars Inc. acquired Kellanova in December 2025 for approximately $30 billion. Ferrero agreed to purchase WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 billion, with the deal pending completion.
What brands does Kellogg own?
Kellanova owns Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, and international Kellogg’s cereals. WK Kellogg Co owns Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Raisin Bran, and Special K in North America.
Where is Kellogg Company headquarters?
Kellanova is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. WK Kellogg Co remains in Battle Creek, Michigan, where W.K. Kellogg founded the original company in 1906.
