As an expert in the food industry, I have seen the rise and fall of many brands over the years. Some have stood the test of time, while others have faded into obscurity. But there are a select few that have not only survived, but thrived, becoming household names around the world. These are the top 5 food brands that you need to know about.
Knorr
The history of Knorr dates back to 1838, when Carl Heinrich Knorr opened a factory in Heilbronn (Germany) and the company began supplying chicory to the coffee industry.But it wasn't until an experiment with drying vegetables, herbs, and other condiments that Knorr took a new direction. In 1873, the first dry soups in Knorr packages were launched throughout Europe. And in 1912, the pioneering Knorr bouillon cubes or broth arrived, for which the brand has become better known. Today, Australians know it as Continental, while in Indonesia it's called Royco.
Maggi
The origins of Maggi date back to 1886, when Julius Maggi created a combination of condiments that could easily and comfortably enhance the flavor of food.The government asked him to create quick and nutritious products as female employment increased, and his answer was instant soups and, later, a broth and the brand's now iconic liquid condiment. It is currently one of the world's leading precooked food brands and, according to Nestlé, owner of the brand, an average of 4,600 meals are prepared with Maggi products around the world every second.
Lindt & Sprüngli
The origins of this chocolate brand date back to 1845, when David Sprüngli and his son produced the first solid chocolate bar in a small confectionery in Zurich. A few decades later, Rodolphe Lindt opened a store in Bern and pioneered a preparation process that consisted of mixing cocoa mass and butter with sugar and milk for a longer period to obtain a smooth texture and silky. The two inventors joined forces at the end of the 19th century and now the company, called Lindt & Sprüngli, is one of the world's leading premium chocolate brands.Betty Crocker
Introduced to the world in 1921, Betty Crocker quickly became America's First Lady of Food, sharing tasty baking recipes for the whole family.In the 1940s, the fictional cook was the second best-known woman in the United States and a name that nine out of 10 Americans instantly recognized. Although cake mix boxes have existed since the 1930s, the trend began to take shape when Betty Crocker introduced the ginger cake mix in 1947, followed by Devil's Food and the cake for parties. The red spoon, a symbol of quality, first appeared in 1945 and is now sold in more than 200 products worldwide.
Red Bull
This sweet energy drink, known for its high caffeine content, was launched in 1987 in Austria, inspired by the Thai drink Krating Daeng, which was popular with truckers and workers. Adapted to Western palates and with slightly modified ingredients, Red Bull quickly became one of the most popular drinks on the planet, in part thanks to the company's brilliant marketing, which attracted the support of extreme sports stars and celebrities.It remains the world's best-selling energy drink, with nearly eight billion cans sold last year.
Frito-Lay
Herman Lay, a salesman born at the age of 10, started his first soda business in front of the baseball stadium in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. Fast forward to the 1930s and Lay's had become a well-known name in the southern states. Meanwhile, Charles Elmer Doolin had started selling Fritos the same year as Lay. Three decades later, the two men joined forces to form Frito-Lay and his potato chip manufacturing company went international.French fries are known as Smith's in Australia and Walkers in the UK, where it's the leading French fry brand.
Coca-Cola
Invented by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886, Coca-Cola was originally advertised as a brain tonic for relieving headaches and exhaustion. At the time, the United States was in the midst of a movement against alcohol, and soda was just what people needed to regain their strength. The brand didn't get its big break until businessman Asa Griggs Candler bought it in 1888 and aggressively marketed it. Under Candler's supervision, the beverage was also bottled for the first time and given its iconic container.Today, Coca-Cola is sold in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.
McDonald's and Starbucks
McDonald's and Starbucks take top honors in this year's global category ranking. Behind their success is the global expansion of their franchises. Both McDonald's and Starbucks opened thousands of new stores around the world, generating a wider audience, especially in China and the wider Asian market, where closures had previously interrupted expansion plans.M&M's
M&M's ranked first as the most trusted brand in the food category in the United States in the first quarter of 2024, with a net confidence rating of 51.1 points. It was followed by Cheerios and Campbell's, with 50.6 and 50.3 points, respectively.Mondelez, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Nestle, PepsiCo, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's and Unilever
Whether you're looking to stock up on anything from orange soda to lattice-flavored potato chips, Mondelez, Kraft, Coca-Cola, Nestle, PepsiCo, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg's, and Unilever own just about everything you could want to buy.It seems that, after all, the theory of six degrees of separation has been proven, if only because we all drink Diet Coke from time to time.
The Importance of Transparency
Transparency about ingredients, sourcing and production processes is increasingly important for consumers. Successful brands speak openly about the origin and manufacture of their food, and build trust among consumers, who are more aware of the health, ethical and environmental impacts of their food choices. Sales were strong enough for Nestlé to keep the top spot, with PepsiCo coming in second for the second year in a row.Hellmann's and Best Foods
The two brands merged in 1927 and, to this day, Hellmann's is sold east of the Rocky Mountains, while Best Foods is sold west. Successful brands can attract consumers through online forums, social media groups, or by organizing or sponsoring events related to food and lifestyle.Nescafé
As soon as World War II began, Nescafé became a staple food in U.S. military food rations, as it caused no problems and was quick to prepare. A successful direct-to-consumer (DTC) food brand stands out for offering...
