How a shoe advertisement and a lucky number created a global food empire
In short: Henry J. Heinz built a food giant from a basement horseradish recipe. Though his company eventually manufactured over 60 products, he famously branded them as 57 Varieties. The number was not a tally of his inventory, but a personal superstition that became one of the most recognizable slogans in history.
Founded in 1869 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, the H. J. Heinz Company began with a simple horseradish recipe. Henry J. Heinz, the son of German immigrants, initially partnered with L. Clarence Noble to market the condiment. Despite early bankruptcy in 1875, Heinz successfully reorganized the business, eventually introducing iconic products like tomato ketchup. By 1896, he launched the enduring 57 Varieties slogan. While the company then produced more than 60 items, Heinz chose the number 57 because he considered five his lucky digit and seven his wife's, later noting the psychological significance of the figure.
Under Henry's leadership, the firm became a pioneer in sanitary food preparation and a major advocate for the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act. The company expanded globally throughout the 20th century, establishing a massive Canadian plant in Leamington in 1908 and diversifying into soups, baby food, and frozen goods. By 2013, the company claimed to hold 150 top-tier brands worldwide. That same year, a massive $23 billion acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital signaled a new era, leading to a 2015 merger with Kraft Foods to form the fifth-largest food company globally.
The company's history is marked by both innovation and controversy. While it pioneered employee welfare initiatives like providing hot showers and manicures for food handlers, it also faced public backlash, such as the 2008 withdrawal of a UK advertisement featuring a gay couple. Today, the organization continues to evolve under modern leadership, with Carlos Abrams-Rivera appointed CEO in 2024. From its humble beginnings in a basement to its current status as a multinational powerhouse, Heinz remains a central figure in the global food industry, balancing its deep-rooted traditions with the demands of a changing consumer landscape.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Heinz
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/food-heinz.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in UK & Ireland: food · More in Food & Drink · Latest · A–Z · All topics
