Famous Brands That Are Secretly Owned by the Same People
You probably eat at different restaurants, shop from different aisles, or order from different menus and assume each choice comes from a separate place. Often, that’s not the case. Many of the names you recognize are tied back to the same owners. A few corporations sit behind thousands of brands, running businesses that seem unrelated on the surface. Here’s a look at 15 parent companies and the reach of their portfolios.
Yum! Brands
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KFC’s role in Japan’s Christmas tradition shows just how far the company’s reach extends. Yum! Brands started in 1997 after splitting from PepsiCo and has since grown into one of the largest fast-food operators on the planet. With more than 57,000 restaurants worldwide, its portfolio includes Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and, of cours,e KFC.
Volkswagen Group
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Few companies cover as much ground as Volkswagen Group. It builds everything from budget-friendly hatchbacks to multimillion-dollar supercars. You get the ultimate in luxury with Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, and Audi. No other company influences the way we drive and ride like this one.
Mondelez International
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The triangular peaks of Toblerone were modeled after the Swiss Alps, a reminder of how closely brands and culture can connect. Mondelez is the company behind that chocolate, along with Oreo, Cadbury, and dozens of other snacks. It was created in 2012 when Kraft Foods split its operations, and today its products reach more than 150 countries, giving Mondelez a central place in the global sweets market.
LVMH
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Every luxury runway show, champagne toast, and designer handbag could trace back to one source: LVMH. The company owns over 75 brands, including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Givenchy, Dom Pérignon, and Moët & Chandon.
V Marriott International
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Few hotel chains span as many corners of the market as Marriott. The Ritz-Carlton caters to luxury travelers, JW Marriott blends comfort with polish, and Sheraton provides consistency in cities across the globe.
PepsiCo
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PepsiCo goes far beyond soft drinks. Its lineup includes Quaker Oats, Lay’s, Doritos, Ruffles, Gatorade, and Lipton. By shaping flavors to fit local markets, the company has built a global presence and turned its mix of snacks and beverages into one of the world’s most familiar food portfolios.
Kellogg’s
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It started with cereal in 1906, but Kellogg’s didn’t stop there. The empire expanded with Tony the Tiger selling Frosted Flakes and Eggo waffles, becoming a pop culture icon thanks to Stranger Things. They also sell Pringles, designed to keep every chip perfectly stackable.
Colgate-Palmolive
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Colgate-Palmolive reaches into nearly every household category: oral care, pet care, personal care, and cleaning. Its brands include Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Irish Spring, Speed Stick, and Tom’s of Maine. Known for everyday staples like toothpaste and soap, the company has been part of daily routines for generations, shaping habits at the sink, counter, and beyond.
Procter & Gamble
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Ariel, Tide, Charmin, and Bounty might look unrelated, but they all come from Procter & Gamble. The company’s products are so common they often feel like household essentials rather than brand choices. Since the 1940s, P&G has shaped how people clean and care for their homes, and today its lineup still anchors millions of daily routines.
Campbell Soup Company
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Campbell’s red-and-white cans have been a fixture in American kitchens for generations. The company’s reach goes far beyond soup, with brands like Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Late July Snacks, and Snyder’s of Hanover. Together, they cover a wide range of meals and snacks that continue to show up in households across the country.
Mars, Incorporated
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One company controls both the candy aisle and the pet food aisle. Mars produces M&M’s, Bounty, Milky Way, and Snickers for humans, and Pedigree and Whiskas for four-legged family members. Sweet treats on one side, loyal companions on the other, all under one roof.
Berkshire Hathaway
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Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway thrives on a diverse range of businesses. It owns Geico insurance, Dairy Queen, Duracell batteries, Fruit of the Loom, See’s Candies and more. Very random and very cool. You can tell their goal is to create a diverse portfolio so no single market can cause their downfall.
Coca-Cola
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If you think Coca-Cola is just about soda, you’ve got another thing coming! We are talking Dasani water, Minute Maid Juices, VitaminWater, Gold Peak Tea, Costa Coffee, and more. They practically dominate every taste and price point in the beverages industry. If you’re drinking something cold and refreshing, chances are good Coke had a hand in it.
Nike
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The Swoosh may be its signature, but Nike also owns Converse and the Jordan brand, plus shoe lines like Air Force 1 and Air Monarch. Its range covers everything from high-performance gear to everyday sneakers, placing Nike at the center of both athletics and fashion around the world.
Kenvue
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Kenvue separated from Johnson & Johnson in 2023. It may be new to the market, but its brands have a longstanding reputation in the consumer health market. We are talking about Band-Aid, Tylenol, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Listerine, Zyrtec, and Nicorette. Kenvue inherited trust as a part of the deal.