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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 gAYdBCue1lj3JXuAYp/s+Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-11-006408.txt : 20110201
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-11-006408.hdr.sgml : 20110201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110201175049
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-11-006408
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Wiertel Edward A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001396687

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09076
		FILM NUMBER:		11564270

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		407 S. HILUSI
		CITY:			MT. PROSPECT
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60056

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FORTUNE BRANDS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000789073
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HEATING EQUIP, EXCEPT ELEC & WARM AIR & PLUMBING FIXTURES [3430]
		IRS NUMBER:				133295276
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 LAKE COOK ROAD
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8474844400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 LAKE COOK ROAD
		CITY:			DEERFIELD
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60015

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	AMERICAN BRANDS INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd299227.xml
<DESCRIPTION>RSU VESTING
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000789073</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FORTUNE BRANDS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001396687</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Wiertel Edward A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>520 LAKE COOK ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DEERFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60015</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP &amp; Corporate Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $3.125</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1493</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $3.125</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>214</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>61.68</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1279</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>600</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects the vesting and payment of a restricted stock unit award made under the Company's 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Reflects the withholding by the issuer of shares awarded to the undersigned having a fair market value equal to the withholding taxes payable by the undersigned at the time the award vested, such transaction being exempt under Rule 16b-3(e).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Each RSU converts to one share of the issuer's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">This RSU award became vested and payable on January 31, 2011.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>The remaining restricted stock units (RSUs) awarded to Mr. Wiertel on February 25, 2008 vested and became payable on January 31, 2011. Mr. Wiertel was paid 600 shares of the issuer's common stock (one share for each RSU which vested). The Company withheld 214 shares in payment of taxes. As a result, Mr. Wiertel increased his direct ownership to 1,279 shares of the issuer's common stock. Mr. Wiertel also owns options to purchase 70,000 shares of the issuer's common stock and the right to acquire 6,800 RSUs if certain conditions are met.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Angela M. Pla, Attorney-in-Fact for Edward A. Wiertel</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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