Iconic American Companies Owned by Chinese Investors

Headquarters: San Diego, California
Bought By: FCF Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

A dominant name in the realm of seafood, Bumble Bee Foods, with its recognizable logo, has been a fixture in American pantries for over a century. The company, established in 1899, has been celebrated for its wide range of seafood products, especially its canned tuna, aligning with many family recipes across generations.

However, the tides of ownership took a turn in 2019 when Bumble Bee Foods filed for bankruptcy, leading to a pivotal change. FCF Co., a Taiwanese tuna supply chain company, stepped in, acquiring Bumble Bee for approximately $928 million.

Headquarters: Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Bought By: JAB Holding Company
Headquarters: Luxembourg

Born in the heartland of America, Caribou Coffee has been warming the hands and hearts of coffee aficionados since 1992. Originating from Edina, Minnesota, Caribou quickly carved a niche for itself with its premium roasts and inviting lodge-like coffeehouses, distinguishing itself in a bustling market of coffee giants.

Yet, the tapestry of its ownership saw an unexpected weave in 2012 when the brand was acquired by JAB Holding Company, a German conglomerate with a formidable presence in the coffee world. The acquisition, valued at about $340 million, placed Caribou Coffee under the same umbrella as other iconic brands like Peet’s Coffee and Keurig.

Headquarters: Monrovia, California
Bought By: Aldi Nord
Headquarters: Essen, Germany

Renowned for its eclectic product offerings, cheerful Hawaiian-shirt-clad employees, and cult-favorite items, Trader Joe’s is an integral part of the American grocery landscape. The chain, which began as a small string of convenience stores named “Pronto Market” in Pasadena, California, in 1958, transformed into the “Trader Joe’s” we know in 1967.

But a lesser-known twist in its story is its international ownership. In 1979, the German businessman Theo Albrecht, co-founder of the Aldi Nord supermarket chain, acquired Trader Joe’s. Despite being under the ownership of a German parent company, Trader Joe’s retains its distinctive American flair.

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Bought By: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Headquarters: Denham, U.K.

Synonymous with dependable comfort for road travelers and vacationers alike, Holiday Inn is a name deeply etched in the American hospitality narrative. Founded in 1952 in Memphis, Tennessee, by Kemmons Wilson, it was a response to the lack of consistent, family-friendly accommodations during his own travels. Holiday Inn quickly became an American staple, recognizable by its iconic green sign.

However, the brand took a global turn in 1990 when it was acquired by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), a British multinational hospitality company. This $2.23 billion deal saw the integration of this quintessential American hotel brand into a vast international portfolio.

Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri
Bought By: Nestlé
Headquarters: Vevey, Switzerland

When it comes to pet nutrition and care, few brands resonate as deeply with American consumers as Purina. Established in 1894 as the Robinson-Danforth Commission Company in St. Louis, Missouri, Purina embarked on its journey by producing animal feed. By the early 20th century, its checkerboard logo became a hallmark of quality for pet owners across the U.S.

However, the brand’s narrative took an international turn in 2001 when Nestlé, the Swiss multinational food and beverage conglomerate, acquired Ralston Purina, thereby forming Nestlé Purina PetCare. This $10.3 billion acquisition merged Purina’s longstanding expertise in pet nutrition with Nestlé’s global scale and resources.