Heavily Guarded Billion Dollar Recipes

Year Invented: 1957
Company’s Net Worth: $6 billion* 

It might be hard to believe, but Burger King’s famous Whopper has been on the menu since 1957. Arguably the chain’s most popular menu option, the Whopper has made the company into the 6-billion-dollar titan it is today – but what’s in it? 

Burger King Whopper @foodpandage / Facebook.com

While Burger King doesn’t exactly keep the ingredients heavily guarded, they haven’t been forthcoming with how you assemble the burger. BK France tweeted out the ingredients some time ago, but that’s only half of the magic. 

Year Invented: 1995
Company’s Net Worth: $19.2 billion* 

Contrary to popular belief, Starbucks didn’t actually invent the Frappuccino. It might be the company’s most popular drink, but it was actually acquired by the business when it bought The Coffee Connection in 1994. 

Starbucks Frappuccino @DailyMakan / Twitter.com

Starbucks then put its own stamp on the beverage, but it’s not as simple to make it at home as you might think. There are tons of hints out there that suggest what goes into a Frappe, but Starbucks doesn’t sell the base it uses for the popular iced drink. 

Year Invented: 1886
Company’s Net Worth: $230 billion* 

When it comes to carbonated drinks, Coca-Cola reigns supreme. The only thing is, no one really knows what they’re drinking. Knock off soda brands never taste quite the same as Coke, because they keep the exact formula as a closely-guarded secret. 

Coca-Cola @CocaColaGEO / Facebook.ocm

After all, Coca-Cola didn’t get to be a 230-billion-dollar company by letting everyone in on its secrets. No matter how hard other businesses try, they can’t quite emulate the taste of Coke and everything that comes with it. 

Year Invented: 1980
Company’s Net Worth: $2.7 billion*

Panera has been around since 1980, bringing with it some delicious dishes such as the BBQ Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese. This incredible combo is enough to make your mouth water just talking about it, but what if you wanted to make it at home, is the info out there? 

Panera BBQ Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese @buzzfeed / Pinterest.com

Despite being one of the chain’s best-selling dishes, there are some recipes out there that will help you achieve something that tastes pretty darn similar. According to online sources, you’ll only need 6 ingredients to make this bowl of heaven, including Panera Mac & Cheese which is available at most stores like Walmart.

Year Invented: 1952
Company’s Net Worth: $10 billion*

Ever since the Colonel burst onto the scene with his fried chicken in 1952, the masses have been eager to find out just how he makes his chicken. When it comes to guarded recipes, this one is up there with the best of the best. 

KFC’s Yummiest Fried Chicken Ever @KFCST.MAARTEN / Facebook.com

To this day, no one is entirely sure just how to make the Colonel’s secret recipe for finger-lickin’ good chicken. Some say they’ve cracked it, but the company has never been forthright about the quantities of herbs and spices used. This is one recipe Yum Brands isn’t going to shout from the rooftops. 

Year Invented: 1737
Company’s Net Worth: $22.73 million in profit in 2020*

The booze business has been going strong for years, so it’s not really a surprise that Chartreuse Liqueurs made over $20 million in profit in 2020 alone. Monks were reportedly the ones to perfect the recipe for the drink back in the 1700s. The recipe itself is well over four centuries old, making it one of the oldest and most exclusive recipes in the world. 

The Monks’ Secret Recipe @NWilsonvilleLiquor / Facebook.com

No one apart from the distillers knows exactly what goes into it, but we do know it contains around 130 different ingredients including herbs, plants, flowers, and more. Considering just how mysterious the drink is, it’s a steal for $50 a bottle. 

Year Invented: 1860
Company’s Net Worth: $5 billion*

Campari isn’t to everyone’s taste, but those that love it love it wholeheartedly. The interesting cocktail first came onto the market in 1860 as the brainchild of Gaspare Campari. The recipe has remained a closely-guarded company secret ever since. 

Campari @Campari / Facebook.com

It’s known that around 20 ingredients go into making the beverage, but the only person who knows exactly how to make it is the head of the distillery in Sesto San Giovanni. When it comes to making sure this information is kept safe, these guys don’t mess around. Don’t expect to see it on Pinterest any time soon. 

Year Invented: 1907
Company’s Net Worth: $35.8 billion*

There’s a lot of money in chocolate, just ask Hershey’s. The candy titan has been busy making sweet treats for years now, but Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses still remains one of its most prized products. At the time it was invented, the chocolate was much creamer and more refined than competitors. 

Hershey's Chocolate Kisses @hersheys / Facebook.com

Some may argue that Hershey still reigns supreme thanks to its top-secret formula. Many have tried to replicate the small chocolate drops, but none have succeeded. The unique taste is reportedly down to how the milk is processed. 

Year Invented: 1993
Company’s Net Worth: $5.86 billion*

Chipotle enjoys a lot of repeat customers and it’s not hard to see why. The brand exploded onto the scene in 1993, wooing Mexican-food lovers with their tasty dishes and famous guacamole. After many requests, the chain did share its guac recipe with fans in 2015, but it has since taken it down. 

Chipotle Guacamole @WHAS11 / Facebook.com

With that being said, it’s likely that Chipotle has tweaked and improved upon the recipe over the years, so there’s no telling what the recipe contains now. They can’t go giving away all their secrets – especially when they make this much money for the business.  

Year Invented: 1967
Company’s Net Worth: $14.2 billion*

Chick-fil-A’s ColeSlaw hit the menu when the chain first opened back in 1967, staying there right up until 2016 when it was discontinued. Not all fans were happy with the menu change, but the company did make up for it by releasing the recipe a couple of years ago. 

Chick-fil-A Cole Slaw @WeLoveRecipesFromHeaven / Facebook.com

Now, anyone with Google can find out how to make it, but for a long time it was kept under lock and key. Now Chick-fil-A doesn’t need it to make money, it’s been unleashed upon the world at no extra charge.  

Year Invented: 1937
Company’s Net Worth: $3.6 billion*

It’s difficult to fathom that Krispy Kreme was established in 1937, the better part of 85 years ago. It just goes to show that America’s love for donuts is nothing new. The brand has expanded over the years to open stores worldwide. 

Krispy Kreme @KrispyKremePR / Facebook.com

The original founder of the company, Vernon Rudolph, allegedly bought the recipe for the fluffy-filled donuts from an unknown chef in New Orleans. Needless to say the recipe has been kept on the down low ever since, although it goes without saying it contains a lot of sugar. DNT keeps improving upon its flavors year after year.  

Year Invented: Unknown
Company’s Net Worth: $3 billion*

Normal fries are great, but what if you want something more from your sides? In-N-Out offers Animal Fries, their original style fries topped with creamy sauce, melted cheese, and onions. It’s a firm favorite with In-N-Out fans, especially because it’s not too expensive. 

In-N-Out Animal Fries @Beth Ann Nolan / Facebook.com

Many try to recreate something similar at home but can’t quite get it to taste the same. It’s no secret what goes into the fries, but we don’t know what goes into the sauce. Who knows, maybe a scorned employee will spill the tea in the future.

Year Invented: 1876
Company’s Net Worth: $356 billion*

There are some people out there that claim they can tell the difference between Heinz Ketchup and a store brand. They may well be right. Ketchup is made from tomatoes, but how Heinz makes their ketchup is unknown. 

Heinz Ketchup @HeinzCA / Facebook.com

The heavenly condiment was released way back in 1876, growing decade after decade to become a dinnertime staple in households across the globe. There’s something undeniably special about the product – if only we knew what it was, we might be able to replicate it!

Year Invented: 1980s
Company’s Net Worth: $60 billion*

Taking a trip to Ikea isn’t complete without stopping by the cafeteria and buying a plate of meatballs. In fact, Ikea sells over one billion meatballs a year, making it one of the Swedish brands’ best-selling products. The recipe is certainly worth a fortune, but Ikea isn’t precious about it. 

Ikea Meatballs @FoodInFoodOutMY / Facebook.com

The business offers a recipe card so shoppers can take it home and try to make the meatballs themselves. Considering Ikea is worth over $60 billion, it can afford to share the love! And, in all honesty, homemade will never be quite as good as the ones you can buy there, anyway.