What is kkr company

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) is a major American private equity and investment firm founded in 1976 that manages hundreds of billions of dollars in assets across buyouts, growth equity, and other investments.

Key Facts

Overview

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) is one of the world's leading private equity firms. The company specializes in acquiring businesses, improving their operations, and selling them for profit, a strategy known as leveraged buyouts or private equity investing.

History and Founding

KKR was established in 1976 by Jerome Kohlberg Jr., Henry Kravis, and George Roberts. The three founders revolutionized corporate finance by developing and popularizing the leveraged buyout (LBO) strategy, where companies purchase other businesses using a combination of their own money and borrowed funds.

Business Model

KKR identifies target companies, acquires them using leverage (borrowed money), implements operational improvements and strategic changes to boost profitability, and then sells the company or takes it public for a profit. This model has proven highly profitable over decades, though it remains controversial in some circles.

Global Operations and Assets

Today, KKR manages over $400 billion in assets under management across multiple investment vehicles and strategies. The firm operates offices globally in New York, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and other major financial centers, allowing it to invest in opportunities worldwide.

Investment Strategies

Beyond traditional leveraged buyouts, KKR now offers: growth equity investments in emerging companies, infrastructure investments, credit strategies, and real estate investments. This diversification has made the company more resilient and expanded its reach across different market segments.

Public Status

KKR went public in 2007, allowing external investors to participate in the firm's success. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker 'KKR' and operates as a publicly-traded partnership structure.

Related Questions

What is a leveraged buyout (LBO)?

A leveraged buyout is when a private equity firm acquires a company using a combination of debt (loans) and equity (their own money). The acquired company's cash flow is often used to pay down the debt, allowing the firm to profit when they eventually sell.

How does KKR make money?

KKR makes money through management fees on assets under management and carried interest (profit share) from successful investments. When KKR sells a company it acquired for more than it paid, investors and the firm profit from the difference.

What major companies has KKR acquired?

KKR has acquired numerous major companies throughout its history including RJR Nabisco, Dell, Saloni Partners, and many others. The firm has been involved in some of the largest private equity transactions in history.

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Sources

  1. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts - Wikipedia CC-BY-SA-4.0
  2. KKR SEC Filings Public Domain