Who owns Applegate?
Applegate is owned by Hormel Foods (the United States, NYSE: HRL), which has owned the brand since 13 July 2015.[1] Applegate was founded in 1987 in the United States and was independent until 2015.
Key facts
- Current owner
- Hormel Foods Corporation verified
- Owned since
- 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
- · 1 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
- 2015 – present Hormel Foods [1] verified
Where Applegate sits in Hormel Foods
Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.
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Other brands owned by Hormel Foods in food
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.
Since when has Hormel Foods owned Applegate?
Hormel Foods has owned Applegate since 13 July 2015.
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 6 September 2026, Applegate is still owned by Hormel Foods. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (1) & 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] Hormel Foods Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K filed 2025-12-05 — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 10-K, published 5 December 2025; retrieved 6 September 2026.
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