Who owns Thorntons?
Thorntons is owned by Ferrero (Italy), which has owned the brand since 21 August 2015.[1] Thorntons was founded in 1911 in Sheffield and was independent until 2015.
This ownership is reported in official statements but has not yet been matched to a regulatory filing.
Key facts
- Current owner
- Ferrero Group reported
- Owned since
- Previous owner
- Independent (1911–2015)
- Owner HQ
- 🇮🇹 Italy, Alba
- Origin
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, Sheffield
- Founded
- 1911
- Category
- Food › Confectionery › Chocolate
- Last verified
- · 1 sources
About Thorntons
Thorntons is a British chocolatier founded in Sheffield in 1911, known for its Continental selection and for shops that would pipe a personal message onto a cake or box in icing. Ferrero acquired the company in 2015, and the retail estate was closed in 2021 in favour of supermarket distribution.
Ownership timeline of Thorntons
Where Thorntons sits in Ferrero
Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.
Open the full Ferrero ownership tree →
Other brands owned by Ferrero in food
Latest news about Thorntons
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Thorntons?
The parent company of Thorntons is Ferrero, a family-owned company headquartered in Italy.
Is Thorntons British or Italian?
Thorntons originated in the United Kingdom in 1911, but it is owned today by Ferrero, which is headquartered in Italy. So Thorntons is a British-origin brand under Italian ownership.
Since when has Ferrero owned Thorntons?
Ferrero has owned Thorntons since 21 August 2015.
Who owned Thorntons before Ferrero?
Thorntons was an independent company from its founding in 1911 in Sheffield until Ferrero acquired it in 2015.
Is Thorntons still owned by Ferrero?
Yes. As of 6 September 2026, Thorntons is still owned by Ferrero. 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] Ferrero Group — our brands — Ferrero Group, Official document; retrieved 6 September 2026.
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