Private equity impacts US housing, food, and healthcare sectors

Private equity firms now control approximately $9 trillion in assets and companies, impacting various sectors of American life including housing, food, and healthcare.

In the food industry, the takeover of brands like Krispy Kreme has led to changes in production methods, with doughnuts being shipped from corporate shops rather than being made on-site. Krispy Kreme has seen its stock value decline by more than 80 percent from its peak.

The housing market has also seen significant shifts, with private investors purchasing a large portion of homes. In 2025, investor purchases reached 34 percent, nearly double the average seen between 2020 and 2023. This trend has contributed to challenges for first-time homebuyers, who accounted for a record low of 21 percent of buyers, with a median age of 40. Additionally, the fertility industry has emerged as a major investment sector as the age of first-time parents increases.