An "O" shaped by history

While the first “CheeriOats” were invented in 1941, the cereal in your bowl is actually part of a century-and-a-half tradition. Since 1856 the company now called General Mills has combined the best parts of nature and human innovation. Our mission is to nourish everyone by making lives healthier, easier and richer. General Mills is Nourishing Lives, Nourishing Communities, Nourishing the Future.

Our first mills were technological marvels, producing the finest flour of their day. Cheerios are also the product of inventive minds. It took months of trial and error to figure out how to “puff” the oats we used into a shape which, since then, has delivered good times and whole grain nutrition to lots of kids, adults and families. While the decision to use traditional ingredients could be called wisdom, today it’s backed up by science. New revelations about the benefits of whole grain come up all time, and Cheerios.com is specially built to make them available in answers to your common questions. We keep making good stuff.

Our History

1941

Cheerioats debuts as the first ready-to-eat oat cereal

1942

The first mascot is introduced: Cheeri O'Leary

1945

Cheerioats changes name to Cheerios

1951

Cheerios becomes the number one cold cereal at General Mills

1961

The Big G logo appears for the first time on the package

1974

Cheerios begins advertising its cereal as a food for toddlers

1979

General Mills Introduces Honey Nut Cheerios®

1988

General Mills introduces Apple Cinnamon Cheerios ®

1992

General Mills introduces MultiGrain Cheerios®

1995

General Mills introduces Frosted Cheerios®

1997

The Food and Drug Administration issues a claim that Cheerios® and other oat products can lower the risk of heart disease.

1999

Cheerios® launches Cheerios.com

2000

The Honey Nut Cheerios® bee is finally given the name BuzzBee after a nationwide naming contest for kids ages 5-12.

2002

Cheerios® launches its Spoonfuls of Stories contest to promote its commitment to childhood literacy.

2003

General Mills introduces Berry Burst Cheerios®

2006

General Mills introduces Fruity Cheerios®

2007

General Mills introduces Cheerios® Snack Mix

2009

General Mills introduces Banana Nut Cheerios®

2010

General Mills introduces Chocolate Cheerios®