If you’ve ever wondered who owns Folgers coffee, you’re not alone. It’s a common question for fans of America’s classic morning brew. The answer takes you through a fascinating story of corporate history, family legacies, and major acquisitions. This article will give you a clear picture of the company behind the iconic red can.
Folgers is more than just a grocery store staple. It has deep roots in American culture, starting in the 1800s. Understanding its ownership helps you understand the brand’s journey to your kitchen.
Who Owns Folgers Coffee
The J.M. Smucker Company owns Folgers coffee. Smucker’s, famous for its jams and jellies, completed the purchase of Folgers from Procter & Gamble in 2008. This was a huge deal, worth about $3.3 billion. So, when you buy a can of Folgers, you are buying a product from the same company that makes Smucker’s fruit spreads, Jif peanut butter, and Meow Mix cat food.
The Path to Smucker’s Ownership
Folgers didn’t always belong to Smucker’s. The brand changed hands several times before finding its current home. Here’s a simplified timeline of its ownership journey:
- 1850: The Folger Coffee Company is founded by James A. Folger in San Francisco.
- 1963: The Folger family sells the company to Procter & Gamble (P&G).
- 2008: After 45 years, P&G sells Folgers to The J.M. Smucker Company.
This move allowed P&G to focus on it’s core household and personal care products. For Smucker’s, it was a strategic expansion into the coffee aisle, a market with steady demand.
Why Did Smucker’s Want Folgers?
The acquisition made perfect sense for Smucker’s strategic goals. Here are the key reasons:
- Market Dominance: Folgers was (and still is) the leading retail coffee brand in the United States. Buying it instantly made Smucker’s a major player in coffee.
- Brand Synergy: Smucker’s other products, like jams and peanut butter, are also found in the breakfast aisle. Adding coffee created a powerful “breakfast platform” for the company.
- Stable Revenue: Coffee is a everyday consumable product, providing reliable sales compared to some other food categories.
The Folgers Brand Under Smucker’s Management
Since taking over, Smucker’s has worked to modernize the Folgers brand while keeping its loyal customer base. They have introduced new products to stay competitive in a changing market.
- Product Expansion: They launched Folgers Black Silk for a darker roast, Folgers Simply Smooth for easier digestion, and a wide range of single-serve K-Cup pods.
- Marketing: Smucker’s has continued the famous “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up” jingle campaigns, ensuring brand consistency.
- Operations: They integrated Folgers into their supply chain, making production and distribution more efficient.
The Original Folger Family Legacy
Long before corporate acquisitions, Folgers was a family business. The story begins with James A. Folger, a young man who traveled to San Francisco during the Gold Rush. He didn’t strike gold in the hills, but he found opportunity in the city.
He started working for the Pioneer Steam Coffee and Spice Mills. He eventually became a partner and later bought the company, renaming it J.A. Folger & Co. His sons and grandsons grew the business into a nationally recognized brand, known for its consistent quality and innovative vacuum-sealed cans.
Key Innovations by the Folger Family
The family was responsible for several big innovations in coffee retail:
- They were among the first to sell roasted coffee in sealed tins, which kept it fresher much longer.
- They developed a strong network of sales representatives who traveled the country.
- They invested in major advertising, making the Folgers name a household staple.
Procter & Gamble’s Era (1963-2008)
For many decades, Folgers was synonymous with P&G. The consumer goods giant bought the company to diversify its portfolio beyond soaps and detergents. Under P&G, Folgers saw massive growth.
P&G’s marketing muscle and distribution power helped Folgers become the top-selling coffee in America. They launched the iconic “Mrs. Olson” and “Mountain Grown” ad campaigns. They also pioneered the shift from whole bean to mainstream ground coffee consumption. However, by the 2000s, coffee was no longer a core focus for P&G, leading to the sale to Smucker’s.
Where is Folgers Coffee Made?
Folgers coffee is roasted and packaged in the United States. Their main roasting plant is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. This facility is one of the largest coffee roasting plants in the world. The green, unroasted coffee beans are sourced from various countries, primarily in Latin America and Asia.
The beans are shipped to the New Orleans plant, where they are blended, roasted, ground, and packaged into the familiar cans and containers. This centralizes production to ensure every can of Folgers Classic Roast tastes the same, whether you buy it in Florida or Oregon.
The Folgers Supply Chain
Understanding where the beans come from shows the scale of the operation:
- Sourcing: Beans are purchased from coffee farms in Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and other major growing regions.
- Shipping: Green beans are transported by ship to the port of New Orleans.
- Roasting & Blending: At the plant, beans from different origins are mixed to create the consistent Folgers flavor profile, then roasted.
- Packaging: The coffee is quickly packaged to seal in freshness and distributed nationwide.
Folgers Coffee Product Lines
Today, Folgers offers a much wider range than just classic ground coffee. Smucker’s has expanded the lineup to compete in every major coffee category.
- Ground Coffee: The core products like Classic Roast, Black Silk, and Simply Smooth.
- Instant Coffee: Folgers Instant Coffee Crystals and Folgers Singles.
- Single-Serve: A vast selection of K-Cup pods compatible with Keurig brewers.
- Flavored Coffee: Options like French Vanilla and Hazelnut in ground and pod forms.
How Folgers Competes in the Modern Market
The coffee market today is split between mass-market brands like Folgers and premium specialty roasters. Folgers strategy under Smucker’s focuses on its core strengths:
- Affordability: It remains a cost-effective choice for daily drinking.
- Convenience: It’s available in almost every grocery store, supermarket, and online retailer.
- Nostalgia & Trust: The brand has over 170 years of history and consumer trust.
- Innovation: By offering K-Cups and flavored varieties, they meet modern convenience demands.
Financial Impact on The J.M. Smucker Company
The Folgers acquisition was transformative for Smucker’s. The Coffee segment, which is dominated by Folgers, is now the largest contributor to the company’s net sales. In recent fiscal years, coffee has accounted for over a third of Smucker’s total revenue.
This shows how important the Folgers brand is to Smucker’s overall business health. It’s not just another product on the shelf; it’s a financial cornerstone.
Common Misconceptions About Folgers Ownership
Let’s clear up a few common mix-ups people have about who owns Folgers.
- Misconception: Folgers is still owned by Procter & Gamble.
Fact: P&G sold the brand over 15 years ago. They have no current involvement. - Misconception: Folgers is a separate, independent company.
Fact: It is a wholly-owned subsidiary and brand under The J.M. Smucker Company umbrella. - Misconception: The Folger family still runs the company.
Fact: The family sold their interest in 1963. The brand is now managed by Smucker’s corporate leadership.
The Future of Folgers Coffee
Looking ahead, Folgers faces the challenge of a market that increasingly values specialty and sustainable coffee. Smucker’s is likely to continue its dual strategy: protecting its massive mainstream base while carefully moving into new trends.
We may see more initiatives around sustainability sourcing or partnerships. The brand will certainly continue to innovate with new formats and flavors to keep up with at-home coffee trends. The core mission, however, will remain the same: providing a reliable, affordable, and consistent cup of coffee for millions of Americans every morning.
FAQs About Folgers Coffee Ownership
Is Folgers coffee still made by Procter and Gamble?
No, Procter & Gamble does not make Folgers coffee anymore. They sold the Folgers brand to The J.M. Smucker Company in 2008. All Folgers coffee products are now made and distributed by Smucker’s.
What other brands does Smucker’s own?
The J.M. Smucker Company owns many well-known food brands. In addition to Folgers, their portfolio includes Smucker’s jams, Jif peanut butter, Café Bustelo coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts branded coffee (for retail), Milk-Bone dog snacks, and Meow Mix cat food, among others.
Where are Folgers coffee beans grown?
Folgers sources it’s arabica and robusta coffee beans from several regions around the world. The primary sources include countries in Central and South America, like Colombia and Brazil, as well as from Asia, such as Vietnam. These beans are blended to create their signature taste.
Did the Folger family start the company?
Yes, the company was absolutely started by the Folger family. James A. Folger founded it in San Francisco in 1850. His decendants ran and expanded the business for over a century before selling it to Procter & Gamble in 1963.
Is Folgers a American owned company?
Yes, Folgers is an American-owned coffee brand. It is owned by The J.M. Smucker Company, which is a publicly traded corporation headquartered in Orrville, Ohio. The brand itself was founded in San Francisco.
Has the Folgers recipe changed under Smucker’s?
Smucker’s has stated that they maintained the original Folgers flavor profile that consumers know and love. While they have added many new products and roasts, the recipe for the flagship Classic Roast blend remains consistent with its historical taste.
Can I visit the Folgers coffee plant?
The main Folgers roasting plant in New Orleans, Louisiana, is not open to the public for tours. It is a large-scale industrial facility focused on production for the entire nation. There is no visitor center or public tour program available at this time.