What Happened to Nabisco?

Nabisco's extensive history began on June 19, 1898, with the formation of the National Biscuit Company in Chicago, Illinois, through the merger of over 100 bakeries, including the American Biscuit Company and the New York Biscuit Company. The company quickly rose to prominence, introducing iconic products like the Uneeda Biscuit, Barnum's Animal Crackers (1902), Oreo (1912), and Ritz Crackers (1934), which became household staples.

The company officially adopted the shortened name 'Nabisco' in 1971. The 1980s marked a period of significant corporate restructuring, beginning with a merger with Standard Brands in 1981 to form Nabisco Brands. In 1985, Nabisco Brands was acquired by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, creating RJR Nabisco in what was then the largest leveraged buyout in history. This era was famously chronicled in the book 'Barbarians at the Gate.'

The turn of the millennium brought further changes in ownership. In 2000, Philip Morris Companies Inc. (later Altria Group) acquired Nabisco and merged it with Kraft Foods. This integration placed Nabisco's beloved snack brands under the Kraft umbrella. A pivotal moment occurred in 2012 when Kraft Foods announced its split into two publicly traded companies: a North American grocery company (Kraft Foods Group, later Kraft Heinz) and an international snack-food company, which became Mondelēz International. Nabisco, with its extensive portfolio of cookies and crackers, became a key subsidiary of Mondelēz International, headquartered in East Hanover, New Jersey.

In recent years, Nabisco, under Mondelēz, has faced and navigated various challenges. In 2016, a boycott campaign emerged due to Mondelēz's decision to eliminate 600 jobs in the Chicago area and outsource production to Mexico. A more significant event was the 2021 labor strike, which began on August 10 and involved workers at several Nabisco facilities across the United States. The strike, led by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers' International Union (BCTGM), protested proposed changes to work shifts, overtime pay, and healthcare benefits. After weeks of negotiations and widespread solidarity, a tentative agreement was reached on September 15, 2021, and overwhelmingly ratified by union members on September 18, ending the strike. The new four-year contract included annual wage increases, a $5,000 bonus, doubled 401(k) contributions, and blocked planned healthcare cuts.

As of 2026, Nabisco continues to be a vital part of Mondelēz International's global snacking empire. The company remains active in product innovation, with new Oreo flavors and seasonal offerings regularly hitting the market. Mondelēz International reported strong financial results, with Q2 2026 net revenue increasing by 4.1% to US$9.36 billion, driven by growth in emerging markets and North America. The company's annual revenue for 2025 was $38.54 billion, with biscuits being its largest segment. Nabisco's brands like Oreo and Ritz continue to hold significant market share in the cookie and cracker categories in North America, adapting to consumer trends for healthier options and unique flavors.