RJR Nabisco

RJR Nabisco was a major American company primarily known for its tobacco products and food brands. Founded in 1985 through a merger, it became famous for its massive leveraged buyout (LBO) in 1988, where private investors acquired the company using significant borrowed money. This deal was one of the largest of its time and highlighted the aggressive, high-stakes world of corporate takeovers. The buyout and subsequent events were detailed in the best-selling book "Barbarians at the Gate," illustrating corporate strategy, finance, and the intense negotiations involved. RJR Nabisco's story is a key example of corporate finance and governance during the late 20th century.