Leading U.S. producer of packaged foods, flour, breakfast cereals, snacks, and prepared mixes.
General Mills was incorporated in 1928 to acquire Washburn Crosby Co. and four other milling companies. Specializing in cereals and flour products, the company introduced Wheaties and Cheerios breakfast cereals, Gold Medal flour, and Bisquick baking mix, as well as the Betty Crocker line of products. It diversified into industries such as toys and fashion in the 1960s but by the 1990s was again dealing exclusively with consumer foods. General Mills acquired one of its chief rivals, Pillsbury Co., in 2001. Its headquarters are in Minneapolis.