Frederic Melton
Robert Kraft is a well-known American billionaire businessman and chairman of the Kraft Group. He is also the owner of the NFL team, the New England Patriots, and has stakes in several other sports teams. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, on the other hand, is a product of Kraft Foods, which was founded by James L. Kraft and his brothers in 1903 as a wholesale cheese delivery business. While both entities share the Kraft name, Robert Kraft has no affiliation with Kraft Foods or its product, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Robert Kraft's ownership of Kraft Mac and Cheese | False |
| Robert Kraft's ownership of the New England Patriots | True |
| Robert Kraft's relation to Kraft Foods | False |
| Robert Kraft's net worth | $11.1 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Robert Kraft owns the New England Patriots
Robert Kraft is the ninth richest NFL owner in 2024, with a net worth of $11.1 billion, according to Forbes. He is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a private equity portfolio.
Since 1994, Robert Kraft has owned the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He also owns the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS), which he founded in 1996, and the esports-based Boston Uprising, which he founded in 2017.
Robert Kraft has no affiliation with Kraft Foods, the company behind Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. The company was founded by James L. Kraft and his brothers in 1903 as a wholesale cheese delivery business in Chicago. Over the years, the company expanded and introduced new products, including the iconic Kraft Macaroni & Cheese in the US.
Despite sharing a last name, Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, is not related to the Kraft family associated with Kraft Foods. It is a common misconception that Robert Kraft obtained funding from Kraft Foods to purchase the New England Patriots. However, this is untrue, and Robert Kraft has stated that the New England Patriots are a part of his family, and he has no intention of selling the team.
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Kraft Mac and Cheese was introduced during the Great Depression
Kraft Mac and Cheese, known as Kraft Dinner in Canada and the United States, was introduced in 1937, during the Great Depression. It was first sold in a box with dried macaroni pasta and a packet of processed cheese powder. The product was a success, particularly during World War II when rationing and a reliance on meatless meals made it a popular choice for families.
The idea to sell macaroni and cheese together as a package is credited to Grant Leslie, a salesman from St. Louis, Missouri. He began selling boxes of pasta with grated cheese attached by a rubber band. Kraft introduced its version of the product in 1937, with a slogan of "make a meal for four in nine minutes." The company sold the convenience of a quick, easy-to-make meal, and the product became a hit with American consumers.
The timing of the product's launch was key to its success. During World War II, rationing of milk and dairy products, as well as a shortage of meat, made Kraft Mac and Cheese an attractive option. Additionally, with more women working outside the home, the convenience of a quick and hearty meal was appealing to families. The product's ten-month shelf life was also advantageous, especially in Canadian homes that did not have refrigerators.
Over the years, Kraft has introduced various product lines with different flavours and pasta shapes. The brand has become synonymous with macaroni and cheese, particularly in Canada, where it is considered a national dish. Kraft Mac and Cheese has become a comfort food beloved by many, and its popularity continues to endure.
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Kraft Foods was founded by James L. Kraft
Kraft Foods, now a part of Kraft Heinz, was founded by James L. Kraft. James Kraft was a Canadian-American entrepreneur and inventor. Born in 1874 in Stevensville, Ontario, Canada, he was the second of eleven children. In 1902, he immigrated to the United States, settling in Buffalo, New York, and taking up a position at the Shefford Cheese Company. The following year, he became a partner in the company, but while on a business trip to Chicago, his partners dissolved the partnership, leaving him stranded.
With only $65 in capital (equivalent to $1,850 in 2023), Kraft rented a horse and wagon and started his own business, buying cheese wholesale and selling it to local grocers. By 1909, his business had grown enough for his four brothers to join him, and they formed the J.L. Kraft & Bros. Company. In 1914, the company opened its first cheese manufacturing plant in Stockton, Illinois, having developed a process for pasteurizing cheese so that it could be shipped over long distances without spoiling. This process was patented in 1916, and Kraft holds the first patent for processed cheese.
The company expanded into Canada in 1919 and saw increased business during World War I when the US government provided cheese to the armed forces. Over the years, Kraft introduced numerous innovative products and used progressive marketing techniques, including producing an hour-long drama/anthology series, Kraft Television Theatre, in 1947. In 1926, Kraft Foods opened a manufacturing plant in Antigo, Wisconsin, and the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1927, it established its first sales offices outside North America, in London and Hamburg.
James Kraft served as the company's president until his death in 1953. Kraft Foods would eventually become a multinational conglomerate, marketing many well-known brands in over 170 countries. Although Robert Kraft, the owner of the NFL team the New England Patriots, shares a name with the company, he has no affiliation with Kraft Foods or Kraft Heinz.
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Kraft Foods merged with H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation in 2015
Kraft Foods and H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation merged in 2015, creating The Kraft Heinz Company. The merger brought together two powerful businesses and iconic brands, resulting in the third-largest food and beverage company in North America and the fifth-largest in the world. The combined company has an extensive portfolio of brands, including Kraft, Heinz, Boca Burger, Gevalia, Grey Poupon, Oscar Mayer, and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. The merger was approved by the boards of both companies, with shareholders of Heinz holding a 51% stake in the new entity and the remaining going to Kraft shareholders.
The deal was valued at around $45 billion, with expected annual sales revenue of approximately $28 billion. The management of the two companies anticipated significant cost savings of $1.5 billion by the end of 2017 through economies of scale and improved operating margins. These cost savings were expected to be achieved through various operational changes, including potential headcount reductions and the closure of less efficient manufacturing facilities.
The chairman of Heinz, Alex Behring, became the chairman of the new company, while the vice chairmanship was assumed by Kraft's chairman and CEO, John Cahill. The merger presented substantial opportunities for synergies, increased investments in marketing, and innovation in the food industry.
It is important to note that Robert Kraft, the owner of the NFL team New England Patriots, has no affiliation with Kraft Foods or the merged Kraft Heinz Company. Despite the similarity in names, there is no relation between Robert Kraft and the Kraft Foods brand.
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Robert Kraft is not affiliated with Kraft Foods
Robert Kraft, the ninth-richest NFL owner in 2024 with a net worth of $11.1 billion, has no affiliation with Kraft Foods. He is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a private equity portfolio. He has owned the NFL team, the New England Patriots, since 1994. He also owns the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the esport-based Boston Uprising.
Kraft Foods, on the other hand, was founded by James L. Kraft and his brother Charles in 1903 as a wholesale cheese delivery business in Chicago. Over the years, the company expanded and introduced iconic products such as Kraft Dinner (later rebranded as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese), Philadelphia cream cheese, and Velveeta-branded cheese products. In 1988, Kraft was acquired by the tobacco company Philip Morris, which continued to expand the brand through acquisitions.
Despite the similarity in names, Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, has no connection to Kraft Foods or its subsequent iterations, including Kraft Heinz. It is a common misconception, likely due to the shared surname, that Robert Kraft obtained funding from Kraft Foods to purchase the NFL team. However, this is untrue, and the two entities are entirely separate.
The original Kraft Cheese Company, founded by the Kraft family, particularly James L. Kraft, has no known connection to Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots. While both entities share the surname "Kraft," it is purely coincidental, and there is no evidence of any familial or business relationship between them.
In summary, Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, is not affiliated with Kraft Foods or its subsequent iterations, including Kraft Heinz. The two entities share a similar name, but their connection ends there. Robert Kraft has built his fortune through diverse business ventures, including sports teams and holding companies, while Kraft Foods was founded by the Kraft family as a cheese business and later acquired by other corporations for expansion.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Robert Kraft has no affiliation with Kraft Foods.
Kraft Foods was established in Chicago in 1903 by James L. Kraft.
As of 2024, Robert Kraft's net worth is estimated to be $11.1 billion.
Robert Kraft is famous for being the owner of the NFL team, the New England Patriots. He also owns the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the esport-based Boston Uprising.
Some of Kraft Foods' most popular products include Kraft- and Velveeta-branded cheese products, Milka and Toblerone chocolates, Philadelphia cream cheese, Planters nuts, Jell-O desserts, Kool-Aid powdered beverages, and Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees.
