Early Life
Marcel Herrmann Telles was born on February 23, 1950, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Details of his early life are not widely available. He attended the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, earning a degree in economics. He also completed the OPM program at Harvard University.
Rise to Success
Telles began his career in 1972 at Banco Garantia, where he met his future business partners, Jorge Paulo Lemann and Carlos Alberto Sicupira. Together they formed a powerful investment trio. In 1989, Telles became the CEO of Brahma. He and his partners subsequently acquired and transformed Brahma, eventually merging it with Antarctica to form AmBev. AmBev later merged with Interbrew to form InBev, which then merged with Anheuser-Busch in 2008, creating Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world's largest brewing company. In 2010, 3G Capital acquired Burger King. Telles has also been involved with Lojas Americanas.
Key Business Strategies
Telles is known for his focus on operational efficiency, cost-cutting, and a meritocratic management style. 3G Capital employs zero-based budgeting and rewards high-performing employees. These strategies have been instrumental in revitalizing acquired companies and driving profitability. The firm's acquisitions, such as AB InBev and Restaurant Brands International, highlight these strategies.
Philanthropy
Telles and his partners have contributed to various non-profit organizations, particularly those focused on improving education in Brazil. A notable effort is the Fundação Estudar, which supports Brazilian students through scholarships and leadership development programs. In December 2023, Telles gifted his stake in AB InBev to his son, Max Van Hoegaerden Herrmann Telles, as part of succession planning.