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 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.
Cindy Rodenberg says
I should have called during the week but still wanted to contact you guys as soon as possible I purchased three bags of mars candy mix two in the yellow bags from big lots in Sumter, SC 29150 off of Broad Street. Hopefully someone will contact me urgently in reference to this candy thank you so very much
Daniela Frederick says
Blue Pearl used to be an excellent part specialty hospital until it was bought out by
Mars. My beloved pet was sent home without
having a cat scan because we didn’t have
an appointment. It takes weeks snd months
to get appointments in internal medicine.
The life of the pet is not important to
Blue Pearl. Even if they didn’t do anything
for the pet in the ER, they charged us a lot
of money.
I will never use Blue Pearl or buy any Mars
products.
D. F.
Laura DelGiorno No.Brunswick, NJ says
I usually mix salted peanuts, cashews, gourmet mixed nuts, etc with chocolate M&M ‘s
Got me thinking it’d be great to have M&M’s made with gourmet mixed nuts – not just peanuts.. Or try them made with cashews !! You could do a “limited time” only and see
how it goes !!!
michael james bell says
I was eating chocolate m&m’s from a packet of 6, when my wife ran up and said, “stop, I meant to tell you that that pack may be contaminated.” There was one packet that looks nibbled/chewed on and she said that it was like that when she opened the package. I still have the chewed on packet, but I don’t want to chance eating from it…and we love M & M’s. Maybe you all can come up with a great compensation package for us to receive some free M & M’s. This is not a hoax to get free candy. It was very appalling to see the packet that looks like a critter chewed on it….and I ate from the same package.
I can send you all a photo of the packet. Just let me know what to do.
Michael Bell
214-535-XXXX
XXXX Springwood Lane
Richardson, Texas, 75082
Bob says
Bought my first box of Dove ice cream bars a few months ago. Went to get more & grabbed wrong brand, Hagen-Dais(sp). What a terrible mistake. Dove was such a superior product. Just thot I’d pass that on to you. Always nice to get good news!!!!
Marilyn says
I grew up 5 houses away from Mars in Chicago on Rutherford Avenue. I would smell the chocolate in the air on the days you were making the candy. Now I understand there is something called Snickers Pecan Bars – which are sold out. How can I get my hands on some? I used to ride my tricycle to the guard gates and they would give out candy to the kids in the neighborhood. Mars is a large part of my childhood.
Thanks
Joseph Garrity says
To whom it may concern , Being a customer of Mars products also being a huge Nascar Fan ..I’m writing in regards to the Monster Energy race in Las Vegas Sunday. Where M&M sponsored the #18 car of Kyle Busch he didn’t have the best race that evening and after the race Kyle Busch was interviewed he showed poor sportsmanship I’m sure there are alot of children that eat M&Ms and Kyle should be a good reflection on the Mars Corp. Not last evening …I seriously think your marketing department needs to contact Joe Gibbs @JGR Racing in regards to how Kyle Busch handles himself while representing Mars Corp . This is NOT the first time this has happened as you can tell from his interview ..He says he doesn’t want to be fined for not giving an interview ..I’m hoping my email doesn’t fall on deathears Thank you for taking the time to listen ..Joseph Garrity joseph2361@ aol.com
J manuel says
Kids should not see the childish actions of Kyle bush if your chocolate does that to a grown man what will it do for kids put a gun in there hand because they are a using him as a mentor I will not buy your candy because of him sorry
cal mcinville says
I agree 100%
Shellene Reich says
I am VERY DISAPPOINTED the Jalepeno Peanut M&Ms have been discontinued!!!
People are trying to sell them for 9.50-32.50 for a “family size” bag on Ebay. It is pathetic:
I would LOVE TO HAVE SOME OVERSTOCK/LEFTOVERS from the company.
They are addictive with the Sweet Hot Chocolate!!!
Dinah says
I challenge you to bring back the original snickers bar for a limited time. If you want to see a candy bar fly off the shelf or sell out early as if it was a super bowl ticket, then bring back the original snickers along with the nostalgia of the period. This would bring back the nostalgia for those of us 58 years old and above while introducing the taste of the original snickers bar before the addition of fructose, etc. to younger health conscious generations. I look forward to you taking my challenge to see how the public will respond to the original snickers bar for a limited time.
Allen Ricketts says
Dear Sir’s, I am writing to you to ask if you offer grants or donations to individuals such as myself. Many billionaires are doing this and I am wondering if you are also doing it. Thank You. Sincerely, Allen Ricketts
Marquis Luttrell says
Hi guys
I want to build a website like Peaches and Screams UK and I wanted to get your perspective of whether that site is good from the users’ perspective before I go ahead and build something similar.
I think that the design of the site is very modern and nice but I am not sure how people would react to a similar site?
I look forward to your feedback.
Many thanks!
Steve says
I noticed the “Mya Pagan artist” prominently displayed in the Extra Gum box. I went to the Mya Pagan website as anyone that notices it would do since it is promoted on your package. It is dominated by low quality drawings that could only be categorized as porn. The drawing show female and male genitalia, topless woman in a thong and pubic hairs showing through, woman masturbating in bathtub, woman in pool with menstrual blood coming out, etc. Is this what the Mars/Wrigley Companies are about now? You think I want my kids, or anyone else to see this garbage material? I wouldn’t even categorize it as art. It’s definitely not family friendly and in very poor taste, nasty and repulsive. This sort of thing can mess up kids and get them on the wrong track. You can’t afford something better than this? There’s just no excuse for that. Unfortunately I doubt you can provide a good excuse but I hope you try. If you don’t I will certainly loose any desire to consume Mars/Wrigley products in the future and I’ll make sure warn everyone that this is the kind of thing you promote and apparently support.
Lori Kevwitch says
I writing to request you make white chocolate milky ways. Being a person that can no longer eat chocolate,I love white chocolate, and I think white chocolate milky ways would taste great.
Debra S. Holland says
Dear Mr. Paul S. Michelle, CEO of MARS Co. Samantha Bee is on of your snickers sponsors& she is saying vile words such as C**t on her show that you sponsor. As a woman I hate that word as it is the worst word a woman can be called. You should drop her as a client. I know I will boycott all Mars products, candies, pet foods & all your products. I am appalled you would sponsor such a vulgar show that has lost 1/2 it watchers in 1 year.
Debra S. Holland says
I am disgusted that Mars Co that sells snickers, other candies, pet foods & so many more products and sponsors Samantha Bee has crossed a line that most women with respect hate by calling Ivanka Trump a feckless C*nt. This is such a disgusting word, how would you feel is she called your wife or daughter a c*nt. . I would be mortified. Would you let her talk to your family that way? Samantha Bee & her filth can’t be tolerated & we only know to #boycottMars & #Snickers. Please pull your sponsorship. Thank you for your time.
Stuart says
I have a wife and 3 children and come from a close family of 8 children. We love the Mars Products- ALL OF THEM! If Mars/ Snickers continues to support Samantha Bee and the disgusting behavior she has shown ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS including telling a cancer victim with hair falling out from Chemo that he had “XXXX hair”, I will discontinue my purchases of your products and ensure that ALL of my brothers and sisters discontinue the support of your products. IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
Rachel Miller says
I just tried your coffee nut M&Ms there are great .but if you don’t have teeth to eat the nuts . all I can do is suck the stuff off the nuts and toss the nut away . don’t get me wrong I like nuts but if you don’t have teeth . the flaver is real good . thank you why couldn’t youns make them when I had teeth Ha Ha Ha love them
Lofton says
I emailed your Burridge Facility 3 times and haven’t received any response to sexual harassment from one of your associates toward my wife who works for Staff Management I contacted them as well No Response this has been since August if this year. It’s got us to a point of contacting some attorney since we can’t get any assistance from your company. Contact us please
Marilyn Hammonds says
I have bought your candy for years and love them. This Halloween I purchased a box of candy and a bag of 80 pieces but when dividing the candy there was only 70 pieces I tried calling and was told they would call me back, but never heard back.
Marilyn
Nasir Suleiman says
Hi
My name is Nasir from Nigeria, I have always been proud of your company, and I have been using many of your products for a long time. So far in Nigeria it is one of the best foreign products we have. I am proud of your company.
I have been in business of supplying Agro products (seeds) of all kind. which I believe a lot of ingredients your company might be needing such as peanuts, maize, palm cannel. Etc and a lot more seeds like sesame seeds, soghum, cashew nut,millet, hasbiscus flower, gum Arabic and a lot more.
So I was hoping if your company and ours will have a business deal such as supplying you with ingredients that you may demand, in high quality and good satisfaction. And in exchange our company will be dealers and importers of your products.
We have a good relationship and 100% trust with our business partners and I hop we will have a good business relationship with your company.
Thanks Nasir suleiman
norm says
I will no longer buy any of your products until the NFL players stop kneeling during the national anthem.
Pat Lenzini says
Hello,
I have been trying to connect with anyone in marketing. I have called several numbers only to be told that if I didn’t have a name, then I cannot be transferred.
My name is Pat Lenzini, and I am with Celebrate Highwood, which is a 501c3 not for profit organization.
Here in Highwood, we are having our 8th annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest which is October 6-8. The Charitable Benefactor is Make A Wish. All proceeds from this festival will be donated to Make A Wish Illinois.
We will have 100 vendors. On October 6th we will be having Trick or Treat among our festival grounds. We are encouraging all children to come and Trick or Treat in costume.
We were hoping that Mars Candies would like to donate any type of candy for our Trick or Treat.
You generosity will be greatly recognized, and appreciated.
Please contact me at 847-433-2100
Thank you,
Pat Lenzini
Celebrate Highwood
Internal Events Coordinator
Alice says
Unbelievable…. really you have a commercial at a funeral home… I recently have had 2 family members and 2 co workers this year die unexpectedly … your commercial reminded me 3 of 4 tragic deaths!!! Really, you can’t promote Twix differently… really depressing how you think how that commercial will bring more profit to your company..,,,, disgusted… dare you to show this to your CEO……have your CEO email me!!!!!
GaryNuell says
We work with the largest tours and entertainers on the planet. When contacting Mars corporate with the names of current marketing executives each time was rebutted by reception who states these names do not show up even though as an example Berta De Pablos Barbier shows up in videos as VP marketing and has on Linkedin as presently working for the company. Was told to snail mail our request in writing to the corporate office for a response. Really? What year is this? What an antiquated way to do business! I’m a big fan of the brand and love my M&M’s Snickers and more and am a bit disappointed to the point of giving up on attempting to reach a billion dollar company that seems steeped in the ways of the past. Just saw a print campaign with “Cra Cra” on Snickers bars so apparently ad company is trying to keep up with the times even though Cra Cra was from Jay Z and Kanye in 2011! Be great to hear from someone at Mars!
Keion Nowden says
Indianapolis,IN 46256
April 24,2017
Mars,Inc.
6885 Elm street
Mclean,va 22101
Dear sir or madam
I am Keion Nowden I am in 6th grade at Crestview Elementary School Of Communication. I have enjoyed eating tasty candy that’s made by your company. My favorite candy that you guys create is tropical starburst because they are so juicy and really delicious.
I Am writing to you because at our school the 6th graders are doing a Pinewood Derby race, and we need a logo of a company on our cars.These cars are pretty long, about 7 inches, and i’m just asking for your permission to use your logo. It will mean a lot.
I chose your company because you make different types of candy, and if some people don’t like certain types of candy they have other options that they can choose from that they will enjoy.
If you would like to send any advertisement I would love to display them on the day of the race to show your support for me and my car.
I thank you for your time and for reading this letter. I also thank you for participating in the support of the race
Sincerely,
Keion Nowden
Beth Walker says
How outrageous this billion dollar privately owned company that brags about “enhancing the lives of pets”‘ ” making the world a better place for pets” by”providing meaningful moments” through their food products decides to discontinue Iams dog treats because “it is no longer profitable” according to the message your consumers hear while waiting to speak to a representative. It is intuitively obvious that your message uses meaningless phrases. Pets such as mine who have been eating Iams biscuits for over ten years and do not like other treats no longer have meaningful moments. Then you have the audacity to suggest other of your products. Wish You had the capability to help me explain to my beloved pets that your priority is to add to your billions rather than your concern for their happiness.
Penny Dunseth says
Joe Gibbs has been a leader in sports for many years, and, as such, has had a positive influence on youngsters, especially moving toward a career in sports. He expects nothing less than the best from his team members as well as himself. He also expects high morals, unquestionable ethics, and unsurpassed sportsmanship. All of this he models every day of his life both in the public spotlight and in his personal life.
On the other hand, Kyle Busch, a member of Gibbs’ driving teams, is known for his temper and he has an attitude that is worse than his older brother’s.
Busch has a short fuse which has led to tantrums and blowups and he has been known to blow up on other drivers who may be considered “smaller” in the NASCAR hierarchy. Not only has he had altercations with other drivers, but he has included crew members, and even law enforcement in his wake of disrespect.
Accidents and altercations on the track or anywhere on race day are one thing, but when a driver deliberately bumps, threatens, wrecks other cars, endangers lives, or stomps off the track like a 2-year-old, he needs to be reminded who pays the bills…the fans and his sponsors. However, more important than even that is the kind of influence he has on kids. Sports stars, musicians, and actors are the most popular role models for kids 13-18 years old. And sports celebrities have more influence on boys than just about anything or anyone else. Is Kyle Busch the kind of role model our kids need? He has a bad attitude in general; he fights with drivers and crew members; and he has a deliberate disregard for driver regulations, other drivers and equipment, sponsors, fans, laws, and law enforcement. He doesn’t even seem to be starting out the 2017 season on a positive note.
As a responsible manufacturer, Mars/M&M takes their obligation very seriously in that you only promote your products to people aged 13 and over. This policy demonstrates your understanding of the kind of influence you, your associates, and your sponsorships have on youngsters.
Where does Kyle Busch fit in your dedication to “do the right thing”? As a sponsor, does he represent M&M appropriately and does he make you proud when he purposely causes damage to others or when he storms off the track or from a reporter, in a fit of rage? I personally wouldn’t want my company logo or name anywhere near him. Surely there are other drivers much more worthy of your sponsorship.
Yes, Kyle Busch is a winning driver but winning races does not make him a good driver or a good individual to represent Mars or Gibb’s Racing Team.
Darlene tanner says
I was in Cleveland Texas at the H E B gas station and purchased 2 for 1 snickers bar. I was eating one and bit into a hard object. It’s not wood and you couldn’t bite through. Th# on it is 8708D WWII ?co2 po. Best before 201? It is the 1.86 oz bar
Jane Webb says
After several emails today I am very upset and disappointed with Mars customer care.which did not solve my compliant. After buying the Super Sunday Cinema Tickets Promotion packets and collected the correct number of vouchers codes to claim 2 cinema tickets and did in the valid dates when on the mars sweet Sundays website .vouchers all went through and waited for the confirmation email to print off to use . Waited and never got them so emailed today and got nowhere. Waste of time and money . puts you off doing it again. Mars please get your act together it only 2 cinema tickets you could have given me instead all I got is questions and a person who did not believe me after putting all the info through. Makes me angry and very disappointed.
Esther Thomas says
What supermarket will replace Mars on Loch raven and Northern Pkwy? I love Mars . Are there any consideration for Seniors and families without cars?There’s no other markets close by. Please reconsider. Let us have Mars. Baltimore City needs and deserves a decent caring store like Msrs. Thank you
Gale Stacy says
I’ve been burying the 40 ounce packages of Mars Chocolate Favorites Minis and there are hardly any Milky Way in the package at all. At first I thought it was just a fluke but it continues to happen. Is there a reason for this? (the bag is filled with Snickers bars)
steve koronczok says
Dear Ms. Aileen Richards,
I sit on the board of eglarockcamp see video “About Us” we are a member of the R4 Alliance. We are actively trying to find a partner to help us buy our own ranch to give someone the “naming rights” that will leave a wonderful legacy. (The Mars Family) Please view the property not far from your world headquarters. In the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, clearcreekranch.com I know you must get request all the time for such valued endeavors. Please see what we are trying to do with so many great organizations with r4alliance.org Please allow me to personally invite you to join us in the Blue Ridge to see this beautiful retreat. I will personally make sure the appropriate parties are their at your request. For your safety and security as you visualize the families and children that will be given the foundation to heal. In addition to the ranch there is 80k acres of National Forest connected. You can reach me by email or phone 210-378-XXXXX. I have been very blessed in the corporate benefit world. I could help create a cause marketing campaign with your help that any underwriting carrier would engage to create the funding. With Most Sincere Regards. steve koronczok