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McCormick & Company, Incorporated

FlavorFounded 1889
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Founders

Who Founded McCormick?

Willoughby McCormick · Founded 1889 · HQ today: Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States

Who founded McCormick?

McCormick was founded by Willoughby McCormick in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is now led by Brendan M. Foley.

Founders
Willoughby McCormick
Founded
1889
Headquarters
Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States
Number of founders
1
Current CEO
Brendan M. Foley (since 2023)
Where was McCormick founded?
McCormick was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, United States in 1889. en.wikipedia.org
When was McCormick founded?
McCormick was founded in 1889.
Who started McCormick?
McCormick was founded by Willoughby McCormick.
How old is McCormick?
McCormick is 137 years old as of 2026.

Founding Story

Willoughby M. McCormick started the business in Baltimore in 1889, selling root beer extract, flavorings and fruit syrups before moving into spices and extracts. The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 destroyed the company's building, and McCormick rebuilt the business. His nephew Charles P. McCormick took over in 1932 and introduced the 'Multiple Management' system of junior employee boards, which became part of the company's identity.

Willoughby McCormick

Co-founder 1889

Background

Willoughby M. McCormick was a Baltimore businessman who started the company at age 25, selling flavorings, extracts and syrups before moving into spices, teas and food products.

Role at McCormick & Company, Incorporated

Willoughby M. McCormick founded McCormick & Company in Baltimore in 1889, beginning with root beer extract, flavorings and fruit syrups sold door to door. He expanded into spices and extracts, rebuilt the business after the 1904 Great Baltimore Fire, and led the company until his death in 1932, when his nephew Charles P. McCormick became president. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).

McCormick & Company, Incorporated: CEO & Leadership History

Full timeline →

Brendan M. Foley

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

2023 – Present

Foley became CEO in September 2023 after serving as President and COO, and later added the chairman role. He led the 2026 McCormick de Mexico step-up and the agreement to combine with Unilever Foods. He previously worked at Heinz and General Mills.

Lawrence E. Kurzius

Chief Executive Officer (former)

2016 – 2023

Kurzius was CEO from 2016 to 2023 and oversaw the $4.2 billion RB Foods acquisition (French's and Frank's RedHot) and the 2020 Cholula and FONA deals.

Keep researching McCormick

Who Founded McCormick? FAQ

Who founded McCormick?

Willoughby M. McCormick founded the company in Baltimore in 1889 at age 25, selling root beer extract, flavorings and fruit syrups.

Who was Charles P. McCormick?

Willoughby's nephew, who became president in 1932 and introduced the Multiple Management system of junior employee boards.

How did the 1904 Baltimore fire affect McCormick?

The Great Baltimore Fire destroyed the company's building and stock; McCormick rebuilt and kept growing.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.