Last checked Sep 30, 2026
Toys “R” Us (brand owned via Tru Kids, Inc., controlled by WHP Global)toysrus.comToys “R” Us (brand owned via Tru Kids, Inc., controlled by WHP Global) is currently listed as private-equity-owned.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Yes—Toys“R”Us is currently controlled through Tru Kids by WHP Global, a platform backed/co-founded by Oaktree Capital Management (private equity/alternative asset manager), with WHP announcing its controlling-stake acquisition of Tru Kids on March 15, 2021.
Notes
- WHP Global publicly announced on March 15, 2021 that it acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids Inc., the parent company of the Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us brands.
- Oaktree Capital’s Special Situations portfolio page lists WHP Global as a portfolio company (the page states the list includes companies where the strategy had a control position or significant influence), supporting characterization of WHP Global as a PE-backed/PE-influenced platform.
- WHP Global states its founder formed the company together with Oaktree Capital, supporting the PE-sponsor/platform relationship.
- Ares Management (Private Equity Group) invested $375m in WHP Global in March 2023; Axios characterizes this as a minority equity stake, suggesting Ares is not the controlling owner of WHP.
- Founding information (1948, Charles Lazarus, Washington, D.C.) is supported by multiple reputable references.
Sources
- WHP Global Acquires Controlling Stake in Toys“R”Us
PR Newswire (press release) - WHP Global acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids Inc. (parent of Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us) and announcement date (Mar 15, 2021).
- Special Situations Portfolio Companies
Oaktree Capital Management - Lists WHP Global as an Oaktree Special Situations portfolio company; page explains these are companies where the strategy had a control position or significant influence.
- Team (Yehuda Shmidman bio)
WHP Global - States WHP Global was founded in 2019 together with Oaktree Capital (supports PE sponsor/platform connection).
- WHP Global receives $375 million equity investment from Ares Management at $1.6 billion valuation
WHP Global - Confirms Ares Private Equity Group funds invested $375m in WHP Global (growth capital), supporting ownership/investor context.
- Toys 'R' Us owner now valued at $1.6 billion
Axios - Characterizes Ares’s investment in WHP Global as a minority equity stake (supports that Ares is an investor, not necessarily controller).
- Toys "R" Us (company history)
Wikipedia - Founding year (1948), founder (Charles Lazarus), founding location (Washington, D.C.), and notes WHP Global acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids in March 2021.
- Inside the Rise and Fall of Toys ‘R’ Us
HISTORY.com - Corroborates origin/founding: Charles Lazarus started in Washington, D.C. in 1948.
- File:Toys "R" Us logo (2007).svg
Wikimedia Commons - Provides the current Toys“R”Us logo asset used for logoUrl.
- Privacy Statement – Toys“R”Us
ToysRUs.com - Confirms the official Toys“R”Us website domain in active use (toysrus.com).
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Lazarus
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://trukidsbrands.com/
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
- https://www.hbs.edu/leadership/20th-century-leaders/details?profile=charles_lazarus
Web search - Consulted by the research agent
Ownership FAQ
Is Toys “R” Us (brand owned via Tru Kids, Inc., controlled by WHP Global) owned by private equity?
Yes. Toys “R” Us (brand owned via Tru Kids, Inc., controlled by WHP Global) is currently listed as private-equity-owned by Oaktree Capital Management (via WHP Global platform; Ares Management is also an equity investor in WHP Global but described as a minority stake).
Who owns Toys “R” Us (brand owned via Tru Kids, Inc., controlled by WHP Global)?
WHP Global (controls Tru Kids, Inc., parent company of the Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us brands)
When was Toys “R” Us (brand owned via Tru Kids, Inc., controlled by WHP Global) last checked?
This page was last checked on Sep 30, 2026.