Brandtree

Who owns Applegate?

Applegate is owned by Hormel Foods (the United States, NYSE: HRL), which acquired the brand on 13 July 2015 for $775 million.[1][2] Applegate was founded in 1987 in the United States and was independent until 2015.

Key facts

Current owner
Hormel Foods Corporation verified
Owned since
· deal details
Acquisition price
$775 million (enterprise value)
Previous owner
Independent (1987–2015)
Owner HQ
🇺🇸 United States, Austin, Minnesota
Origin
🇺🇸 United States
Founded
1987
Category
Food › Meat, poultry & seafood › Processed & packaged meat
Parent ticker
NYSE: HRL
Last verified
· 2 sources

About Applegate

Applegate sells meat raised without antibiotics and free from artificial ingredients, founded in 1987 well before those claims were common. Hormel acquired it in 2015 for $775 million, its entry into the natural and organic segment. It operates as a separate business within Hormel and continues to source from independent farms rather than the parent company's own supply chain.

Ownership timeline of Applegate

Owners of Applegate over 1987 to 2026 Hormel Foods 2015–present Hormel Foods 19901995200020052010201520202025
  1. 2015 – present Hormel Foods — acquired 13 July 2015 [1][2] verified

Where Applegate sits in Hormel Foods

Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.

Where Applegate sits in Hormel Foods Tree of 8 brands under Hormel Foods. Hormel Foods Applegate Columbus Dinty Moore Jennie-O Planters Skippy and 2 more

Open the full Hormel Foods ownership tree →

Other brands owned by Hormel Foods in food

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Deals involving Applegate

Acquisition closed

Hormel Foods acquires Applegate

Hormel acquired Applegate Farms for about $775 million. Applegate sells meat raised without antibiotics and free from artificial ingredients, claims it had built a business on well before they were common, and it continues to source from independent farms rather than from its parent's supply chain.

Value
$775m
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

Latest news about Applegate

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the parent company of Applegate?

The parent company of Applegate is Hormel Foods, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.

Is Applegate American?

Yes. Applegate originated in the United States in 1987 and its owner, Hormel Foods, is also headquartered in the United States.

When did Hormel Foods buy Applegate?

Hormel Foods completed its acquisition of Applegate on 13 July 2015, after announcing the deal on 26 May 2015. The deal was valued at $775 million (enterprise value).

Who owned Applegate before Hormel Foods?

Applegate was an independent company from its founding in 1987 until Hormel Foods acquired it in 2015.

Is Applegate still owned by Hormel Foods?

Yes. As of 16 September 2026, Applegate is still owned by Hormel Foods. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.

Sources (2) & corrections

Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.

  1. [1] Hormel Foods Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K filed 2025-12-05 — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 10-K, published 5 December 2025; retrieved 18 September 2026.
  2. [2] Hormel Foods Corporation Form 8-K - acquisition of Applegate Farms — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 8-K, published 13 July 2015; retrieved 16 September 2026.

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