We live in an age where even giant corporations struggle to keep up. Retail chains collapse under online competition, airlines fight shifting travel habits, and new tech startups reshape entire industries almost overnight. In this kind of disruption, it feels almost impossible for a brand to survive more than a few decades, let alone centuries.
And yet, some companies have done exactly that. From mediaeval breweries to ancient construction firms and centuries-old mints, these brands have survived wars, industrial revolutions, and digital transformation, and you can still buy from them today.
Here are 10 of the oldest surviving brands still operating in the world.
1. Kongo Gumi (Founded 578 AD) – The World’s Oldest Company
Kongo Gumi is a Japanese construction company founded in 578 AD, originally specialising in building Buddhist temples. What makes it extraordinary is its continuity – more than 1,400 years of operation, much of it under the same family lineage.
The company adapted across centuries, moving from traditional temple construction to modern cultural restoration projects. Even today, its legacy represents how niche craftsmanship and adaptability can outlive empires.
2. St Peter Stiftskulinarium (Founded 803 AD) – Europe’s Oldest Restaurant
Hidden inside a monastery in Salzburg, Austria, St Peter Stiftskulinarium has been serving food since 803 AD.
It is considered the oldest restaurant in Europe still in operation. Over the centuries, it has hosted travellers, merchants, and historical figures, continuing to serve guests much like it did over a millennium ago. Its longevity shows how hospitality when rooted in tradition can endure almost anything.
3. Monnaie de Paris (Founded 864 AD) – France’s Historic Mint
Monnaie de Paris was founded in 864 AD and is one of the oldest continuously operating mints in the world.
It has produced French currency through monarchies, revolutions, wars, and modern European integration. Today, it still operates as France’s official mint while also running museums and collectible coin production.
4. La Casa de Moneda de México (Founded 1534) – The Americas’ Oldest Mint
Founded in 1534, La Casa de Moneda de México is the oldest mint in the Americas.
Its early coinage influenced global currency systems, including the US dollar and even currencies as far away as Asia. Remarkably, it still produces official currency today, proving how essential financial institutions can remain relevant for centuries.
5. Weihenstephan Brewery (Founded 1040 AD) – The Oldest Brewery
Weihenstephan Brewery in Germany traces its origins back to 1040 AD, when it began as a Benedictine monastery brewery.
It has been producing beer continuously for nearly a thousand years. Today, it is state-owned and still brews beer using refined techniques developed over centuries, making it a living piece of brewing history.
6. White Castle (Founded 1921) – The First Fast-Food Chain
White Castle began selling small, affordable hamburgers in 1921 and is widely considered the first fast-food burger chain.
Long before McDonald’s or Burger King existed, White Castle pioneered the idea of standardised, mass-produced burgers. It still operates today, serving as the origin point of modern fast food culture.
7. Beretta (Founded 1526) – One of the Oldest Industrial Manufacturers
Beretta, founded in Italy in 1526, is one of the oldest continuously operating industrial companies in the world.
It has manufactured firearms for centuries, supplying armies across European history. The company remains family-associated and continues to produce weapons today, blending tradition with modern engineering.
8. Zildjian (Founded 1623) – Cymbals for Over 400 Years
Zildjian began in 1623 when an alchemist discovered a unique metal alloy ideal for making cymbals.
That discovery turned into a global music legacy. Even today, drummers worldwide use Zildjian cymbals, and the company still keeps its alloy formula closely guarded.
9. Fry’s Chocolate Cream (Founded 1866) – A Historic Chocolate Brand
The chocolate brand behind Fry’s Chocolate Cream dates back to 1866, making it one of the oldest still-sold chocolate bars in the world.
Now produced under Cadbury, it features a fondant centre wrapped in chocolate. Despite changing ownership, its original identity and recipe concept have endured for more than a century and a half.
10. Vernors Ginger Ale (Founded 1866) – One of the Oldest Soft Drinks
Vernors is one of the oldest surviving soda brands, created in 1866 in Detroit.
Originally developed by pharmacist James Vernor, it was part of the early wave of medicinal soft drinks. Today, it remains a popular ginger ale with a distinctively strong flavour and a loyal following.
