Who Owns Haribo

Haribo is one of the world’s most recognisable sweet brands. Its Goldbears, Starmix and Tangfastics have become firm favourites in the UK and across the globe. But behind the bright bags and jolly jingles lies a deeper story of family legacy, entrepreneurial spirit and a century of confectionery innovation. Unlike many major sweet companies that have been bought by global conglomerates, Haribo remains something rare in the modern food world. It is still family owned. So who owns Haribo today, and how has the company stayed independent for so long? The answer lies in a German kitchen almost 100 years ago.

How It All Began in Bonn

Haribo was founded in 1920 by Hans Riegel in Bonn, a city in western Germany. The name Haribo is a blend of the founder’s name and hometown, taken from the first two letters of Hans, Riegel and Bonn. Hans Riegel began with little more than a copper kettle, a marble slab and a rolling pin. He made and sold sweets locally, gradually earning a loyal following. Just two years after founding the company, he created a bear-shaped jelly sweet called the “Dancing Bear,” inspired by trained bears seen at street fairs. This chewy character would go on to evolve into Haribo’s most famous creation, the Goldbear.

Passing the Torch to the Next Generation

When Hans Riegel passed away in 1945, his sons Hans Jr and Paul took over the business. Under their leadership, Haribo expanded rapidly throughout Germany and beyond. They invested in machinery, perfected recipes and built the kind of distribution networks that turned Haribo from a local favourite into a European staple. Hans Jr focused on marketing and business development while Paul handled the technical side, including sweet production and innovation. This partnership laid the foundations for Haribo’s global success and helped secure its reputation as the king of chewy confectionery.

Haribo Today: Still a Family Business

In an industry increasingly dominated by mergers and acquisitions, Haribo stands out. It remains a privately owned family business. Ownership is currently split between two holding companies that represent the heirs of Hans Jr and Paul Riegel. The main parent company is Haribo-Holding GmbH & Co. KG, with shares divided equally between Dr Hans Riegel Holding GmbH and Paul Riegel Holding GmbH & Co. KG. This structure keeps control within the Riegel family, ensuring that major decisions continue to be made with the company’s original values in mind. The family legacy remains intact, even as Haribo operates on a global scale.

A Sweet Empire with Global Reach

Haribo is still headquartered in Germany, now based in the town of Grafschaft in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Although it has moved from its original home in Bonn, the company continues to uphold the same standards of quality and creativity that began nearly a century ago. Haribo runs numerous production sites across Europe, including major factories in Germany, France, Austria, Hungary, Spain and the UK. In fact, the Haribo factory in Castleford, West Yorkshire, is a key hub for British distribution and production, providing many of the sweets found on UK shelves today.

Why Family Ownership Matters

Family ownership allows Haribo to operate with a long-term vision, rather than chasing short-term profits to please shareholders. This independence helps the brand stay focused on product quality, innovation and its connection with customers. It also means Haribo can respond to trends in its own time. While many sweet companies have jumped quickly into plant-based or allergy-friendly options, Haribo has taken a slower, more measured approach. It continues to release new flavours and special editions, but always under the watchful eye of the Riegel family’s standards.

Final Thoughts

So, who owns Haribo? The answer is simple but rare. Haribo is still owned by the descendants of its founder, Hans Riegel. After more than 100 years, the company remains in family hands, with operations carefully guided by the heirs of Hans Jr and Paul Riegel. From a humble kitchen in Bonn to factory floors across Europe, Haribo’s journey is a story of dedication, tradition and chewy success. In every gummy bear and jelly ring, there is a piece of that heritage. And as the brand continues to grow, it remains a shining example of how a sweet idea, when cared for by a committed family, can become a global icon.