Who Makes KitKat

KitKat is a name that instantly brings to mind crisp wafers, smooth milk chocolate and that famously satisfying snap. It is a chocolate bar with a legacy that stretches across generations and continents, whether enjoyed with a cup of tea, pulled from a school lunchbox or picked up at the corner shop. But while most people know what a KitKat is, not everyone knows who makes it. The answer is a tale of sweet beginnings, global growth and brand partnerships that helped turn KitKat into a worldwide favourite.

A British Original with York Roots

The story of who makes KitKat begins in the historic city of York, where the British confectionery company Rowntree’s first created the bar in 1935. Back then, it was not even called KitKat. It was launched under the name “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp” and was marketed as an affordable, everyday snack for workers to enjoy during their tea breaks. The bar was made with layers of light wafer covered in milk chocolate, providing a satisfying crunch without being too heavy. In 1937, the name was changed to KitKat, and the brand as we know it today was born.

Nestlé Takes the Reins

In 1988, Rowntree’s was acquired by Nestlé, a Swiss multinational food and beverage company, marking a significant shift in KitKat’s ownership. Since then, Nestlé has been the primary manufacturer of KitKat in most parts of the world. Nestlé has continued to produce KitKat at the same factory in York, keeping that strong link to its British roots. Under Nestlé’s stewardship, the brand has expanded globally, with production facilities in more than a dozen countries and distribution across more than 80. Nestlé is responsible for manufacturing the vast majority of KitKat products found in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America.

The Unique Case of the United States

While Nestlé owns KitKat almost everywhere, the situation is slightly different in the United States. There, KitKat is made and marketed by The Hershey Company. This arrangement dates back to a licensing deal made before Nestlé acquired Rowntree’s. Hershey obtained the rights to manufacture and distribute KitKat in the United States, and when Nestlé later purchased Rowntree’s, Hershey kept those rights. As a result, American KitKats are made in Hershey’s own factories using slightly different recipes and ingredients, which means that if you compare a US KitKat to one made in the UK, you might notice a difference in taste and texture.

Keeping the Original Recipe Alive

Despite changing hands and being produced in different countries, KitKat has remained remarkably consistent in its core recipe and format. The original four-finger bar, with its signature layers of crisp wafer and smooth milk chocolate, has hardly changed since the 1930s. Nestlé has taken care to preserve the integrity of the product while also introducing new variations such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, flavoured editions and limited-time offerings that appeal to different markets. This blend of tradition and innovation has helped KitKat remain one of the top-selling chocolate bars globally.

A Global Chocolate Powerhouse

Today, KitKat is one of Nestlé’s best-selling confectionery products. In Japan, it has become a cultural phenomenon with hundreds of unique flavours like matcha, sake, cherry blossom and red bean. In the UK, it continues to dominate supermarket shelves with its familiar red packaging and wide variety of pack sizes. Nestlé’s investment in new production lines and recipe innovation ensures that KitKat remains relevant in a changing snack market, while still staying true to the classic bar that people know and love.

Final Thoughts

So, who makes KitKat? The answer depends on where you are. In most of the world, KitKat is made by Nestlé, which acquired the brand from Rowntree’s in 1988 and continues to produce it at the original factory in York. In the United States, however, it is manufactured under licence by The Hershey Company. Regardless of who makes it, KitKat has earned its place as one of the most beloved chocolate bars in the world. With its unmistakable design, satisfying crunch and global presence, it is a sweet success story that continues to snap, layer by layer, through chocolate history.