The American dream is to start your own business and be wildly successful for years to come. Many companies have achieved this, but after years of dedicated service and customers, some of them are no longer American-owned.
While making a choice to support the American economy and production, you may actually end up paying money to a company abroad. Intrigued? Read on to find out which of your favorite American brands no longer belong to the USA.
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
In 1978, best friends Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen opened Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Parlour in Vermont. It was the two friends' dream to go into business together but their sweet success was more than they ever imagined.
In 2000, London-based company Unilever purchased the massive brand for $326 million. The ice cream company has stayed popular consistently and only helped Unilever diversify in the market. This next company lets American’s relax watching a silver screen. Did you realize that it was recently bought by a Chinese company? Get the popcorn ready to read about AMC theatres.
AMC Theatres
This theatre chain is actually the largest in the world and started back in 1920. One theatre opened in Kansas City and then was soon joined by hundreds across the states. Over the years the theatre has kept up with changing technology and still managed to entice American families to go to the movies
The company is currently co-owned by Dalian Wanda Group, a Chinese company, and Silver Lake Partners. Dalian Wanda Group first became affiliated with AMC in 2012 and has a majority say in company decisions and directions. The DWG decided to buy more of the entertainment industry after this purchase, but would the company struggle to control this creative enterprise?
Legendary Entertainment Group
While the Dalian Wanda Group was seeing success with their purchase of AMC theatres they wanted to purchase a company to make the movies as well. The Chinese company settled on Legendary Entertainment Group and purchased it for $3.5 billion in 2016.
At first, the Chinese management wanted to rename the film studios but eventually relinquished creative control. Since the purchase LEG has produced Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Pacific Rim: Uprising, and Kong: Skull Island. This small-feeling grocery store is no longer an ordinary Joe! Learn about the famous family that purchased this local staple.
Trader Joe’s
In 1967, Joe Coulombe wanted to enter the competitive convenience store market. He began stocking brands local residents in Monrovia, California couldn’t find and became popular overnight. Now the chain Trader Joe’s has 530 locations.
While the original Joe sold the brand in 1979, he remained closely associated until his death in 2000. The chain is now owned by the German Albrecht brothers, and worth billions. This next American company had the perfect slogan, but would they be able to keep their word?
American Apparel
When American Apparel entered the retail market they appealed to consumers' hearts and ethics. Their slogan was “Made in the USA” and “Sweatshop-free”, but were they being completely truthful? After several controversies, the brand only survived due to a Canadian company called Gildan Activewear.
The Canadian company swooped in and purchased the brand plus equipment for $88 million. The clothing store hasn’t changed their slogan, but have removed their previous CEO and changed certain practices behind the scenes. This fashion brand can be found all over the world but started in Florida! Shield your eyes from these bright facts on the Sunglass Hut.
Sunglass Hut
Who knows eyes better than an optometrist? In 1981, Sanford Ziff recognized a gap in the market for trendy eyewear in his Florida neighborhood. He began to offer stylish shades that also protected pupils. The company grew quickly and can now be found in Canada, South Africa, India, the United Kingdom.
In 2001, Italian company Luxottica Group bought it for $653 million. They still own it today and have grown the company’s worth to $9 Billion euros, and are endorsed by celebrities including Gigi Hadid. This next company is a household name, but can you guess which country owns it now?
Dirt Devil
The Dirt Devil vacuum is known for cleaning up American family mess since it was released to the public in 1905. Originally created and sold in Cleveland, Ohio by Philip Geier, Dirt Devil now annually produces 25 million models and units.
In 2011 a Hong Kong company purchased Dirt Devil and a few years later also bought the Hoover brand. Dirt Devil still has offices in the United States, and similar to this next brand is beloved by Americans. This next brand is a small ice cream chain that melts the hearts of everyone in the states.
Good Humour
With colorful packaging and delicious flavors, Good Humour ice cream has been in American freezers since the 1920s. From the first soft serve in Cleveland, Ohio the ice cream manufacturer has joined the British-Dutch company Unilever’s portfolio as of 1961.
This next company was created to feed Sally Gerber. The girl’s mother began to make her homemade food and quickly realized how easy it was. Her husband saw a million-dollar idea, but is baby food still popular in American homes?
Gerber
In 1927 Daniel Frank Gerber’s wife began to cook their daughter Sally delicious blended foods. The baby’s appetite increased and the parents were thrilled to understand what was going into their daughter’s belly. After releasing five more flavors in New Jersey, the company has grown to international levels of success.
In 2007, the Swiss company Nestle purchased Gerber’s enterprise for $5.5 billion dollars. It gave them the biggest share of the baby food market. This next company is well-recognized by car enthusiasts across America. Do they realize the brand is now being manufactured in China?
General Electric
This small town company started in 1982 but they have turned into an internationally recognized brand. While many people still associate it with Ford cars, the company profits from health care to electric power.
In 2016, GE was purchased by the Chinese company Haier for 5.4 million dollars. Each product is still made in America, but behind the scenes, decisions are in China’s control. While ford is the king of the road, this fast-food chain is stomach royalty. Now owned by their northern neighbors, read on to find about Burger King’s Canadian transformation.
Burger King
This fast-food chain is internationally recognized as the home of the Whopper and has been in business since 1954. The first location was opened in Miami by David Egerton and James McLamore. The pair originally called the business, “Insta Burger King” but sold it to new owners after a decade.
Over the past fifty years, the company has traded owners several times but is currently owned by a Canadian company, Restaurant Brands International. This is the same company that also owns Canadian icon, Tim Hortons. The Dalian Wanda Group stepped up to save the fiercest American competition recognized. Would competitors still appreciate their title if it wasn’t from the United States?
IRONMAN
Winning the title of “Ironman” is an impressive mental and physical accomplishment. Competitors must complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile run. It was originally started in 1975 by John & Judy Collins in Hawaii. It was purchased by Dr. James P. Gills for $3 million in 1990.
It went through a couple of different owners but is now owned by the Chinese company Dalian Wanda Group. They purchased the physical competition for $650 million. This next business is making American pets happy for years to come, but will their owners be shocked at who owns the brand?
Purina
This animal food brand has been available since 1894 and was originally created by George Robinson, William H. Danforth, and William Andrews. The local residents of Gray Sumit, Missouri got interested in animal food from feeding their farm animals. Their company’s success went beyond their wildest dreams.
In 2011 the Swiss company Nestle purchased the rights for $10.3 billion. The purchase allowed Purina to become accessible internationally. While the United States has a competitive technology environment, the background of who owns this next company is truly fascinating.
IBM
While we are used to technology changing at a rapid pace, IBM has been influencing change since 1911. Originally founded in Endicott, New York by Charles Ranlett Flint, it is still a well-respected technology brand today. In 2005 the Chinese company Lenovo purchased the technology hub for $1.75 billion.
It is still looked at as one of the most positive business deals in the technology sector. One of the biggest changes in technology has been happening in American kitchens. As the needs evolve for cooking instruments, one company has stayed ahead of the curve. Will their new owners ruin their success?
Frigidaire
When this company originally started the creators needed a lot of financial support. Original owners Alfred Mellowes and Nathaniel B. Wales went into business with General Motors Founder William C. Durant, proceeding to have a mutually beneficial relationship for years.
In 1986, Swedish company Electrolux wanted more access to the American market and purchased the company. It has continued to buy more American companies including GE Appliances in 2014 for $3.3 billion. This next company has been soothing American stomachs since 1931, but would it’s new owners make for bad press?
Alka-Seltzer
A trusted brand since 1931, it was a big surprise when a German-owned company expressed interest in buying the long-time American product. The German company, Bayer, was growing in the pharmaceuticals field and wanted to own the popular antacid.
The deal was confirmed in 1978 and the German company made great strides in their American relations. They also started a marketing campaign with American company GlaxoSmithKline to promote the sales of Levitra. This next company is the largest automobile manufacturer in the United States, but it doesn’t have an American owner.
General Motors
Originally started in 1908 in the small town of Flint, Michigan the company is now split between American and Chinese ownership. In 1998, a large portion of the company was purchased by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp.
While the partnership seems to work well on the surface, does it have any behind the scenes implications? Currently they have two head offices, one in Shanghai and one in Detroit. This next property was an American diamond but will it still have guests when they realize what this international investor has planned?
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel
This iconic landmark at one point was the benchmark for luxury. Residents of New York were shocked to hear that in 2014 it was purchased by the Anbang Insurance Group. It was sold for $1.95 billion and was one of the most expensive property deals to date.
The Anbang Insurance Group had big renovation plans for the hotel and turned a portion of the rooms into condos. This next American company introduced us to all the different face filters we could imagine. One of the quickest growing tech company’s, do you know who else owns this brand outside of America?
Snapchat
It’s hard to remember what our faces looked like before Bobby Murphy and Evan Spiegel introduced us to the many exciting filters we now use daily. Snapchat first became a company in 2011, and in 2017 it was estimated to be worth $20 billion. Chinese company Tencent Holdings knew it would do well in their market and purchased 10% of the company for $2 billion.
Nothing says America more than a cold beer and baseball, but did you know this iconic lager is flowing out of Belgium instead of the U.S.A? Will Americans still enjoy the crisp, refreshing taste when it’s not local?
Budweiser Beer
Even the most hard-core fans might not know that this American beer company was purchased by a Belgium brewing powerhouse in 2008. InBev bought Budweiser for 52$ billion, making it one of the largest purchases on our list.
Another classically iconic American brand Lucky Strike is featured in many pop culture references and is recognized as one of the most popular tobacco brands. Will retailers still light up when they find out who owns the company today?
Lucky Strike
This cigarette empire first started being produced in the ’20s and was referred to as “Luckies”. The brand continued to be popular through the decades, and in 1976 caught the eye of a British investor. In 1994, British American Tobacco purchased the company and opened two European manufacturing plants.
This next company is a popular location to buy Lucky Strike and everything else you need. With a recognizable logo, this popular convenience chain started with one man's dream and is now being funded internationally by a Japanese company.
7/11
Available every hour and every day, the 7/11 convenience store brand offers more than just a refreshing slushie! In 1927, Jefferson Green didn’t understand why his neighbors couldn’t get their basic items like milk and eggs in one location. He opened the first store in Dallas and quickly saw a profit.
In 1987, while all of the states were reeling from a massive financial crash, Japanese company Ito-Yokado bailed out the convenience chain, and still owns it today. Legally 7/11 is recognized as a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings. Dial up success when you take a look at this next company’s profile!
Motorola
The Motorola brand started in 1928 and was an equal competitor for years. In 2012, Google purchased the company for an astounding $12 Billion USD. Two years later, Google took a $10 billion loss and sold the company to the Chinese corporation Lenovo.
Lenovo still owns Motorola today and gave the company a re-focus and boost. This next magazine has been in print for over 100 years. It’s changed owners several times and Americans will be shocked at who manages it today!
Forbes
The magazine released its first issue in 1917. Through the years it continues to be respected and recognized for its annual lists highlighting the most successful in all industries. While the company continues to be lucrative in 2014 it was acquired by Integrated Whale Media Investments.
The final price was $400 million and the magazine officially became a Hong-Kong based company. Readers have not noticed a difference in quality and Forbes still has offices in the United States. Every American childhood was filled with this next product, will it still be successfully made abroad?
Popsicle
In 1905, 11-year-old Francis Epperson accidentally left his drink outside overnight with a stick in it. To his surprise, in the morning it was frozen and a brilliant idea hatched in his mind. In 1923, he began to sell frozen treats on local beaches. Epperson sold his patent and right to the company in 1925 to fellow businessman Joe Lowe.
While it remained American property until 1989, Unilever purchased Popsicle and competitor brand Good Humour to own the dessert market. This next company has been on the wheels of American cars since 1900. Who is ensuring their standards and traditions today?
Firestone
On August 3, 1900, in Akron, Ohio Harvey Firestone started his company to make “solid rubber side-wire tires”. The company kept up with transportation trends and fitted everything from wagons to luxury vehicles.
In 1988, the Bridgestone Corporation of Japan purchased the company for 2.6 million and became the largest international purveyor of tires. They currently have offices in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. While Americans love to travel, this one luxury hotel chain was almost not purchased due to one surprising detail!
Strategic Hotels And Resorts
This popular hotel and resort chain covers several different high-end luxury properties across the United States. In 2015 they were involved in a confusing sale that almost didn’t go through! The Blackstone Group started the year by confirming the sale of the hotel properties for $6 billion.
Only a few months later, the Chinese Anbang Insurance Group made an offer to purchase the portfolio for $6.5 billion. The deal was halted because the US Government said one hotel was too close to a military base. Another interesting property sale was a big surprise to the general public. How would they react to losing an American landmark?
The Chrysler Building
The entire city of New York was shocked when they heard that the Chrysler building was up for sale in 2019. It was always assumed that this iconic building was owned by the Chrysler company, but they hadn’t been the owners for quite some time. After it was completed in 1931, Chrysler only owned the proper until 1951.
While it was publicized with how many different owners the structure had, in 2008 after a devastating financial crisis the building was bought by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council. It was sold again in 2018 to an Austrian company called SIGNA. While the building should have cost billions, it only sold for $150 million. Would the purchase be in vain?
Why Was The Chrysler Building Purchased?
The new owners of the New York landmark didn’t receive the land under the tower. That is separately owned by The Cooper Union school. They control renting out the building and office space and shocked local residents with this revealing detail.
Due to age and amenities, the Chrysler tower was currently 80% vacant. While the population of New York loved to look at the skyscraper, no one was going inside! This next company was originally founded in New York, but is now the soundtrack to success internationally!
Spotify
Originally created in 2006, it’s hard to remember what our lives were like before the tech startup. What consumers don’t realize is that Spotify was created by two Swedish music lovers, Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. In 2017, the Swedish partnership got an international investment.
The Chinese tech company Tencent Holdings, purchased 10% ownership shares of the music streaming service and was also critical for bringing Spotify into the Chinese marketplace. The tech company is also involved with this million-dollar company, owned by Elon Musk.
Tesla
Elon Musk started Tesla on July 1, 2003, in California. He currently still owns 21.7% of the company but has stepped back to work on new projects. In 2017, Tencent Holdings bought 5% of the company for $1.78 billion. The company actually has so many public stakeholders that it’s a lengthy process to move forward with new ideas and innovations.
This next business is one of the big three music producing companies in the United States. So many young singers would be thrilled to sign a contract with them, but are they reading the fine print? Who really owns Universal Music Group?
Universal Music Group
This music production company has been signing the best talent for decades, but in 2000 French company Vivendi purchased UMG and by 2004 it completely owned all departments. While this didn’t impact any musicians the public found out and had some questions. Another interesting fact is that in 2020 Chinese company Tencent purchased 10% of the company.
The price of 10% was $33.4 billion, but the Chinese company is excited to be more involved in the American entertainment industry. The next company proves that not all business is good business. The future still remains unclear for this petrol-based American plant.
Citgo
Oil is one of the world's most sought-after resources. In 1910, the Oklahoma plant of fuel refinement labeled their product Citgo and began to monopolize the market. Eager for a slice of American success, the Venezuelan company Petróleos de Venezuela bought half the majority shares.
Unfortunately, due to the country’s financial decline and civil wars, the President announced they wanted to sell but found no interested parties. In 2013 the company was used as collateral when Russia offered to provide financial assistance. Another company that started off with a bright future has recently run a rocky road. What does the future hold?
WeWork
An increase in shared workspaces made WeWork’s business model extremely appealing. The small company grew exponentially, opening many different locations in its first 10 years. In 2016, disaster struck and it looked to foreign investors for rescue. Beijing-based company Legend Holdings Corp stepped in and bailed the company out.
This was an extremely public rescue, and Legend Holdings CEO went on record to say “Our investment in WeWork is both strategic and obvious.” The final investment from Legend Holdings Corp into WeWork totalled $430 million.