McCormick Bought New Orleans Brand Zatarain's for $180 Million

McCormick & Company paid $180 million in 2003 for Zatarain's, the New Orleans food brand that began as a grocer's root beer, Parade reported on November 1, 2026, citing The Advocate.

The brand dates to 1889, when Emile Zatarain started selling root beer at his New Orleans grocery store. Sales grew enough that he closed the grocery, incorporated a company and opened a plant making root beer and spices. His sons took over in the 1920s and widened the lineup to include remoulade sauce and olive salad.

The family held the business until 1963, when it was sold to the man who started Avondale Shipyards, who moved production to a newer plant in Gretna, Louisiana. That owner sold in 1984, and the company changed hands several more times before McCormick's purchase.

McCormick projected the deal would add roughly $45 million to its net sales for 2003. Robert J. Lawless, then chairman, president and chief executive of McCormick, said the brand "delivers the fun and flavor of New Orleans to consumers" and pointed to growth plans in US and international markets and with food service customers. Zatarain's employees joined McCormick as part of the transaction.

This story was first reported by Parade Magazine.