It is one of the best selling brands of cream cheese worldwide, first produced in 1872 and currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International.

[2] In 1872, William Lawrence, a dairyman from Chester, New York, attempted to make Neufchâtel, a tangy, crumblier cheese product that was popular in Europe at the time.

At the time, Philadelphia and its surrounding area had a reputation for high-quality dairy farms and creamier cheese products, so they decided to use the name "Philadelphia" on the foil-wrapped blocks of their cream cheese.

In 1928, Phenix merged with Kraft to form the Kraft-Phenix Cheese Company.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese has remained a staple product in the average household and in many eateries and bagel shops worldwide.