Candy

Kmart Corporate Office

Kmart was founded by Sebastian S. Kresge when he invested in to five-and-dime stores that became the first S.S. Kresge stores in 1897.

By 1912 S.S. Kresge had 85 stores, by 1924, 257 stores, and by 1929, 597 stores.

The company first went public in 1918, trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

S.S. Kresge opened the first Kmart store on March 1, 1962. Eighteen more stores were opened that year.

In 1977 S.S. Kresge changed its name to Kmart Corporation.

Until 1990, when it was passed by Walmart, Kmart was the second-biggest retailer after Sears.

In 2002 the company filed for bankruptcy, emerging from bankruptcy protection as Kmart Holdings Corporation.

In 2004 the company bought Sears, changing its name to Sears Holding Corporation.

As of 2022, there are only 12 Kmart stores left in the US, with the majority being located in the US Virgin Islands.

Kmart

Kmart was founded by Sebastian S. Kresge when he invested in to five-and-dime stores that became the first S.S. Kresge stores in 1897.

By 1912 S.S. Kresge had 85 stores, by 1924, 257 stores, and by 1929, 597 stores.

The company first went public in 1918, trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

History

S.S. Kresge opened the first Kmart store on March 1, 1962. Eighteen more stores were opened that year.

In 1977 S.S. Kresge changed its name to Kmart Corporation.

Until 1990, when it was passed by Walmart, Kmart was the second-biggest retailer after Sears.

In 2002 the company filed for bankruptcy, emerging from bankruptcy protection as Kmart Holdings Corporation.

In 2004 the company bought Sears, changing its name to Sears Holding Corporation.

As of 2022, there are only 12 Kmart stores left in the US, with the majority being located in the US Virgin Islands.

Mars Corporate Office

Frank C. Mars opened The Mars Candy Factory in 1911 with his second wife, Ethel Mars, in Tacoma, Washington. The factory produced fresh candy which the company sold wholesale. This venture failed.

In 1920 Frank, now back in his home state of Minnesota, founded Mar-O-Bar Co., which is the earliest incarnation of the present company.

Frank’s son, Forrest Mars, introduced the Milky Way bar, which became the company’s best-selling candy bar.

In 1929 Frank moved the company to Chicago.

In 1932 Forrest expanded to the United Kingdom. The same year, Mars launched the Mars bar.

Today Mars continues to be a family business, now owned by fourth-generation Mars family members. The company is now run by non-family members.

Mars, Inc. is an American global manufacturer whose global brands include M&M’s, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Mars bar, Dove, Milky Way, Skittles, and Twix. The company also makes Uncle Ben’s rice, pet food made under the Pedigree, Sheba, and Whiskas labels, Seeds of Change organic food, Klix and Flavia beverage systems, and owns the world’s largest chewing gum maker, Wm. Wrigley Company.

Mars, Inc. is #3 on the Forbes list of America’s Largest Private Companies. Mars has 80,000 employees and had $35 billion in revenue in 2017.

Mars, Inc.

Frank C. Mars opened The Mars Candy Factory in 1911 with his second wife, Ethel Mars, in Tacoma, Washington. The factory produced fresh candy which the company sold wholesale. This venture failed.

In 1920 Frank, now back in his home state of Minnesota, founded Mar-O-Bar Co., which is the earliest incarnation of the present company.

History

Frank’s son, Forrest Mars, introduced the Milky Way bar, which became the company’s best-selling candy bar.

In 1929 Frank moved the company to Chicago.

In 1932 Forrest expanded to the United Kingdom. The same year, Mars launched the Mars bar.

Today Mars continues to be a family business, now owned by fourth-generation Mars family members. The company is now run by non-family members.

Mars, Inc. is #3 on the Forbes list of America’s Largest Private Companies. Mars has 80,000 employees and had $35 billion in revenue in 2017.

Jelly Belly Corporate Office

The Jelly Belly jelly bean was invented by David Klein. In 1976, Klein approached the Herman Goelitz Candy Company and asked them to produce a gourmet jelly bean for him which would be known as a Jelly Belly.

In 1980, the Goelitz Candy Company purchased Jelly Belly from Klein.

The Jelly Belly gained national exposure as it was a favorite treat of President Ronald Reagan.

The Goelitz Candy Company eventually changed their name to the Jelly Belly Candy Company.

Today, the company produces over 37 million pounds of candy each year.

Jelly Belly

In 1980, the Goelitz Candy Company purchased Jelly Belly from Klein.

The Jelly Belly gained national exposure as it was a favorite treat of President Ronald Reagan.

History

The Goelitz Candy Company eventually changed their name to the Jelly Belly Candy Company.

Today, the company produces over 37 million pounds of candy each year.