Nabisco

The National Biscuit Company was formed in 1898 through the merger of several regional bakeries, including the American Biscuit Company and the New York Biscuit Company.¹ The consolidation was orchestrated by Adolphus Green, who became the first president and pushed for standardized packaging and quality. In 1901, the company adopted the brand name Nabisco, which became the official corporate name in 1971. Early innovations included the introduction of the Uneeda Biscuit, sold in a moisture-proof package, which revolutionized cracker marketing.

Nabisco's portfolio includes some of the most enduring snack brands in American history. Oreo, introduced in 1912, became the best-selling cookie in the United States, with over 450 billion produced to date. Ritz Crackers, launched in 1934, were designed to compete with premium crackers during the Great Depression. Chips Ahoy!, introduced in 1963, became a leading chocolate chip cookie brand. The company also produced classic crackers like Saltines and Premium, and later acquired brands such as Wheat Thins and Triscuit.

Nabisco was acquired by RJ Reynolds in 1985 and later merged with Kraft Foods in 2000.² In 2012, Kraft split, and the global snack business became Mondelēz International, which now owns Nabisco brands outside North America. In the United States, Nabisco operates as a subsidiary of Mondelēz, with major production facilities in New Jersey and Illinois. The company has expanded internationally, with Oreo available in over 100 countries, often adapted to local tastes, such as green tea flavor in China.

Nabisco has a rich history of lesser-known contributions. During World War II, it produced hardtack biscuits for the military. The company also pioneered the use of cellophane packaging in the 1920s. A notable figure is Ruth Wakefield, who invented the chocolate chip cookie at the Toll House Inn; Nabisco later popularized the recipe by printing it on its packaging. In 1958, Nabisco introduced the first commercial graham cracker, and in 1967 it launched the short-lived 'Nabisco Waffle Crisp' cereal. The company's iconic red triangle logo, introduced in 1900, was one of the first registered trademarks for a food product.

Oreo

A sandwich cookie consisting of two chocolate wafers with a sweet cream filling, introduced in 1912.

Ritz Crackers

A buttery, round cracker introduced in 1934, known for its flaky texture.

Mondelēz International

A global snack company formed in 2012 from the split of Kraft Foods, owning Nabisco brands outside the U.S.