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October 23, 2026
Ferrero
Ferrero is Privately Held, Family-Owned Since 1946. It's No Longer About Just Chocolate When Fedesa S.A.M. Has $55B AUM.
Founded by Pietro Ferrero in Alba, Italy, using hazelnut to cut cocoa costs during postwar rationing. His son Michele turned that into what we know now, as Nutella in 1964.
Ferrero built Rocher, Kinder and Tic Tac and in 2014, they bought Turkish group Oltan. The worlds largest exporter of hazelnuts before its acquisitions.
Ferrero then bought Thorntons in the UK, added Fannie May and Ferrara Candy (owner of Lemonhead) in 2015, and capped it off by acquiring Nestlé’s US candy portfolio—including Butterfinger, Nerds, and Raisinets.
Now with over 35 brands, 170+ markets, $21.8B revenue, 47,000+ employees.
Today, it ranks as the third-largest confectionery company and holds the #3 spot in the US behind The Hershey Company and Mars Snacking.