Warren Buffett Slams Kraft Heinz’s $300M Split Plan in 2025: "Shareholders Deserve a Vote"

• Why Is Warren Buffett So Angry About the Kraft Heinz Split?
• The $1B Paper Loss Haunting Berkshire
• Resignations and Rumors: Is Berkshire Dumping Shares?
• Experts Agree: This Split Solves Nothing
• FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett is fuming over Kraft Heinz’s decision to split into two companies without consulting shareholders—a MOVE that could cost $300M and worsen the stock’s 69% decline since 2015. With Berkshire’s $8.9B stake now underwater, Buffett hints at potential divestment, while critics call the split a desperate cover-up for years of failed cost-cutting. Here’s why the market is panicking.

Why Is Warren Buffett So Angry About the Kraft Heinz Split?

On September 7, 2025, Buffett revealed his frustration during a private call: "It’s outrageous that a 27.5% owner like Berkshire gets no say." The Oracle of Omaha confirmed that Greg Abel, Berkshire’s CEO-in-waiting, had already warned Kraft Heinz executives against the split. "Spending $300M to break up what we spent billions to build? That’s not fixing the problem—it’s rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic," Buffett quipped. Shares plummeted 7.6% intraday after the news broke, adding to a dismal week.

The $1B Paper Loss Haunting Berkshire

Let’s crunch the numbers. Berkshire’s original $9.8B investment in Kraft Heinz (2015) is now worth $8.9B—a $1B loss. After $6.8B in write-downs (2019 and Q2 2025), the stake’s value has flatlined NEAR $10B since 2020. "We bet on 3G Capital’s cost-cutting magic, but innovation got axed instead," Buffett admitted. The stock’s 69% nosedive since the merger proves his point. (Source: TradingView)

Resignations and Rumors: Is Berkshire Dumping Shares?

Two Berkshire board members quit Kraft Heinz’s board in May 2025 amid "strategic review" rumors. While Buffett hasn’t confirmed sell plans, he’s cagey: "We’ll do what’s best for Berkshire." One red flag? He insists any bulk sale must include all shareholders—unless it’s a full buyout. Given Berkshire’s 10%+ stake, open-market sales WOULD trigger SEC filings within 48 hours, potentially sparking a sell-off frenzy.

Experts Agree: This Split Solves Nothing

The Financial Times nailed it: "This isn’t strategy—it’s surrender." Kraft Heinz failed to adapt to consumer trends (plant-based foods, clean labels) while rivals like Nestlé surged. Splitting won’t fix the Core issue: a broken innovation pipeline. Meanwhile, Berkshire’s other holdings (including Japanese trading houses Itochu and Mitsubishi) look rock-solid. Maybe it’s time to cut the Kraft cord?

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

What’s the timeline for Kraft Heinz’s split?

The company aims to complete the division within 12 months, with $300M in estimated restructuring costs.

How much voting power does Berkshire Hathaway have?

Despite owning 27.5% of shares, Berkshire had no vote—Kraft Heinz’s board approved the split unilaterally.

Could Buffett sell Berkshire’s stake?

Possible but messy. Dumping 325M shares would tank the stock further, so a private buyer or buyout seems more likely.