Owner of Fiji Water: Stewart and Lynda Resnick

Ever wondered who's behind that iconic square bottle of Fiji Water you see everywhere? It's not just any company. The owner of Fiji Water is The Wonderful Company, run by billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick since 2004.

These two have turned a simple bottled water into a global hit. Fiji Water sells over 200 million bottles each year. Celebrities like Oprah and Kim Kardashian swear by it, often spotted with those distinctive blue caps.

Ownership matters more than you might think. It shapes the water's quality from Fiji's artesian aquifer. The Resnicks focus on sustainability claims, but ethics come into play too. Their control ensures consistent taste and wide availability.

In this post, you'll get the full story. We'll cover Fiji Water's early days and rise to fame. Then, meet Stewart and Lynda, their path from farmers to tycoons, and their huge business empire with pistachios, pomegranates, and more.

We'll tackle controversies around water rights and plastic use. Plus, peek at what's next for the brand.

Ready to dive into the history? Let's start at the beginning.

The Ownership History of Fiji Water

The story of who owns Fiji Water today starts far from California orchards. Picture a quiet aquifer in the South Pacific turning into a luxury brand.

This timeline shows the key shifts that led Stewart and Lynda Resnick to take control. From a solo founder's dream to big sales, here's how Fiji Water changed hands.

Key milestones mark the path:

• 1996: Founding by David Gilmour.
• 1999: Majority stake sold to Natrol Inc.
• 2002: Shift to Triart.
• 2004: Full buyout by the Resnicks' group for $50 million.

These moves fueled rapid growth and set the stage for global fame.

David Gilmour Starts It All

David Gilmour kicked off Fiji Water in 1996. A sharp Canadian businessman, he had built success in telecom before chasing water dreams. On a trip to Fiji, he found a pristine artesian aquifer on Viti Levu island. Rainwater filtered through volcanic rock for 15 years created this pure source.

Gilmour saw premium potential right away. He started bottling in square glass bottles labeled "Fiji." Early marketing pitched it as exotic, untouched water from paradise.

But shipping 7,000 miles to the US tested him. Customs delays and high freight costs hit hard at first. Gilmour pushed through by partnering with local Fijians and securing FDA approval fast.

By 1997, Fiji hit US shelves in upscale stores. Sales climbed quick. High-society events and hotels loved the story.

Gilmour turned a remote find into America's top imported water. His vision laid the base for explosive growth.

Sales and Acquisitions Before the Resnicks

Growth pulled in buyers fast. In 1999, Natrol Inc., a supplement maker, grabbed a majority stake. They poured cash into production and US distribution.

Annual sales jumped from thousands to millions of bottles. Natrol smartly tied Fiji to health trends, placing it in gyms and spas.

Then came 2002. Natrol shifted the brand to Triart, an early arm of Stewart Resnick's ventures. This move sharpened focus. Triart ramped up marketing with celeb endorsements and sleek ads.

They built a strong supply chain, dodging Fiji's occasional strikes. Bottles flew off shelves; revenue soared past $100 million yearly.

By 2004, the Resnicks saw enough. Through their holding company, they snapped up full ownership for $50 million.

Smart strategies like targeted ads and premium pricing drove this value spike. Each owner built on the last, proving Fiji's pull.

Meet Stewart and Lynda Resnick: The Owners of Fiji Water

Stewart and Lynda Resnick stand as the owner of Fiji Water through their powerhouse, The Wonderful Company. This couple turned California dirt into a $10 billion fortune by 2025.

They started small in the 1970s with Teleflora, a flower delivery service they bought cheap. Hard work grew it fast. Stewart, a UCLA grad, handled sales; Lynda shaped the brand.

They jumped into farming next. Pistachio groves in the San Joaquin Valley became their base. Yields soared with smart irrigation. Then came POM Wonderful in 2002, pomegranate juice that hit big with health claims.

Their rule? Do good while doing well. Profits fund schools and farms. Stewart once said they plant trees for every one cut.

This mindset drew them to Fiji Water in 2004. They bought it for $50 million, spotting a gem in premium hydration.

From California Orchards to Global Empire

The Resnicks' path kicked off in Lost Hills, California. They transformed dusty orchards into green gold. Teleflora gave them marketing chops. By the 1980s, they owned vast pistachio lands. Output hit millions of pounds yearly.

POM Wonderful marked their health kick. Lynda pushed antioxidants after her own health scare. Bottles flew off shelves; sales topped $100 million quick. They branded pomegranates as superfruit kings.

Fiji Water caught their eye during Triart's ownership phase. Sales neared $120 million, but logistics lagged. The Resnicks saw paradise in a bottle.

Premium pricing and celeb buzz matched their style. Full buyout in 2004 fit perfect. From nuts to nectar to water, they built an empire on quality and stories.

Their Vision for Fiji Water

Post-buyout, the Resnicks remade Fiji Water. They swapped glass for square plastic bottles in 2007. Easier shipping cut costs; sales jumped 50% that year.

Celebrity endorsements sealed the deal. Stars like Martha Stewart and Ray Liotta posed with bottles. Social media posts from celebs boosted visibility. Annual sales climbed from 162 million bottles in 2008 to over 200 million by 2010.

Sustainability became core. They pledged carbon labels on bottles by 2007, tracking emissions. Fiji farms got solar power.

Profits fund village wells in Fiji. Revenue hit $250 million by 2016. Under the Resnicks, Fiji grew 400% in a decade. Their touch turned water into wellness.

What The Wonderful Company Brings to Fiji Water

The owner of Fiji Water, The Wonderful Company, stepped in back in 2004 and changed everything. Stewart and Lynda Resnick rebranded their empire as The Wonderful Company in 2013.

This move pulled together their healthy food brands under one roof. Think massive pistachio farms, juicy mandarins, antioxidant-packed juices, and nut butters. Fiji Water slots right in as the premium hydration choice.

Wonderful Pistachios leads with the largest U.S. crop. They shell millions of pounds yearly and push fun ads like the "Got It?" campaign. Halos mandarins offer easy-peel snacks for kids and adults.

POM Wonderful delivers straight pomegranate juice with heart-health perks. Justin's brings organic almond butter in portable packs. Each brand screams quality and health.

These ties boost Fiji Water big time. Shared factories streamline production. Nationwide trucks and warehouses cut delivery snags.

Marketing teams cross-promote: pistachio events hand out Fiji bottles. Celeb partnerships flow easier too. Innovation shines through.

They test new flavors or bottles across lines. Reliability comes from scale. Droughts hit nuts? Water stays steady. This setup keeps Fiji on shelves everywhere, from gyms to grocery stores.

You get fresh taste every time. No stockouts. Profits fund fresh ideas, like better recycling. Synergies mean Fiji grows with the pack.

Sales hit new highs because the whole company backs it. The Resnicks built a machine that turns healthy products into household names. Fiji rides that wave to stay top imported water.

A Portfolio of Healthy Brands

The Wonderful Company's lineup sets Fiji Water apart. It joins a family focused on real nutrition.

• Wonderful Pistachios: Top U.S. grower ships billions of nuts. Roasted, salted, or plain, they pack protein and taste.
• Halos Mandarins: Kid-friendly fruit in snack bags. Sweet, seedless bites promote fresh eating.
• POM Wonderful: Pure pomegranate juice fights inflammation. Studies back its benefits for blood flow.
• Justin's: Nut butters with simple ingredients. Almond, peanut, or chocolate options fit grab-and-go lives.

Fiji fits as premium hydration. Its artesian source delivers silica-rich purity. No additives, just minerals from volcanic rock. Pairs perfect with nuts or juice for balanced snacks.

The Resnicks pick brands that nourish without junk. Fiji elevates hydration to luxury status. Grab a bottle next to Halos, and you build a healthy routine. This portfolio keeps customers loyal across products.

Sustainability Efforts Under New Ownership

The Resnicks ramped up green moves after taking over Fiji Water. They signed long-term water rights with the Fiji government in 2008. This deal pays royalties to locals and protects the aquifer. Extraction stays sustainable at set limits.

Carbon goals kicked in fast. By 2007, Fiji became the first bottled water with a carbon label. They hit carbon-negative status through offsets like tree planting and solar farms in Fiji. Planes and trucks run cleaner now.

Recycling programs grew too. Bottle caps got redesigns for easier sorting. Partnerships with TerraCycle recycle hard plastics. In Fiji, they built collection points. Since 2004, plastic use dropped per bottle. Waste turns into park benches.

Improvements show real change. Villages got clean wells funded by sales. Local jobs tripled. No more export taxes that hurt before.

Critics note progress, though plastic volume rose with sales. The Resnicks invest millions yearly. Fiji tastes pure and feels better for the planet.

Controversies and Challenges for Fiji Water's Owner

The owner of Fiji Water, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, built a powerhouse brand. Yet they've hit rough spots too.

What you need to know: local disputes in Fiji and green concerns grab headlines. Their responses show a mix of pushback and fixes. Let's break it down.

Water Rights and Local Impact in Fiji

Fiji's government and locals watch water extraction closely. The Resnicks signed a key deal in 2008 for long-term rights. It sets extraction limits and pays royalties back to Fiji. Profits fund roads, schools, and clinics in villages near the aquifer.

Tensions peaked that same year. Fiji slapped a short-lived export tax on water. The company halted shipments and laid off 20 workers briefly. They negotiated it away fast.

Labor strikes hit too, like in 2010 over pay. Managers talked it out, raised wages, and kept jobs steady.

Today, benefits shine. Fiji Water employs over 500 locals full-time. That's triple the pre-Resnick numbers. They built five schools and drilled wells for clean water.

Royalties top $4 million yearly for communities. Critics say more oversight helps, but villages report better lives. Extraction stays under 1% of the aquifer's recharge rate.

Environmental Debates and Responses

Plastic bottles and ocean shipping spark big debates. Each Fiji bottle travels 7,000 miles by ship and truck. That racks up emissions. Plastic waste piles up too, with over 200 million bottles sold yearly.

The Resnicks fight back hard. Since 2007, they label carbon footprints and went carbon-negative via offsets. Tree planting and Fiji solar farms cut impact. They test plant-based bottles from sugarcane, slashing plastic use by 30% in trials.

Recycling ramps up with cap redesigns and TerraCycle ties. In 2025, most bottles hit U.S. curbside programs. Strikes and shipping snags? They switched to efficient routes and local hires.

Emissions per bottle dropped 50% since 2004. Still, activists push for less plastic overall. The company invests $10 million yearly in green tech. Progress feels real, even if challenges linger.

Conclusion

Stewart and Lynda Resnick, the owner of Fiji Water, took a Pacific gem and built it into a global favorite. They grew sales from millions to over 200 million bottles a year through smart marketing, celeb ties, and their Wonderful Company muscle.

Their empire of pistachios, pomegranates, and more backs Fiji with steady supply and fresh ideas.

This ownership means real perks for you. Expect top quality every sip; their control locks in that pure artesian taste from volcanic rocks.

Ethics improved too, with royalties to Fiji villages, carbon-negative steps, and recycling pushes. They turned controversies into action, like better water deals and plant-based trials. You drink with confidence, knowing profits help locals and the planet.

Fiji Water's future looks bright. Expect more green tech and flavor twists as health trends boom. The Resnicks keep innovating, so growth stays strong.

Grab a square bottle next time you're thirsty. Pair it with Halos mandarins for a quick boost. What do you love about Fiji Water? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading.