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    Mars Net Worth, Revenue, Marketcap, Competitors 2025

    Key Stats

    Founded
    1911
    Headquarters
    McLean, Virginia
    Employees
    140,000+
    Business Segments
    6 Divisions
    Ownership
    Family-Owned

    Mars Incorporated stands as one of the world’s largest privately-held food manufacturers, creating iconic brands that span confectionery, pet care, and food products. The family-owned enterprise operates six distinct business segments serving consumers across more than 80 countries worldwide.

    The company produces beloved chocolate brands including Snickers, M&Ms, Milky Way, and Twix, while its pet care division manages popular brands like Pedigree and Whiskas. Mars also owns the Wrigley gum business and maintains significant operations in rice, sauces, and health-focused food products.

    With over 140,000 employees globally, Mars Incorporated maintains its commitment to remaining privately owned by the Mars family across four generations. The company has built a reputation for secrecy while developing some of the most recognizable consumer brands in history.

    Mars Incorporated History

    1911
    Frank C. Mars established the Mars Candy Factory in Tacoma, Washington, with his second wife Ethel V. Mars. The factory produced and sold fresh candy wholesale, though this initial venture ultimately failed before the decade concluded.
    1920
    Frank Mars returned to Minnesota and founded Mar-O-Bar Company in Minneapolis, which became the earliest incarnation of present-day Mars Incorporated. This marked the true beginning of the company’s enduring success in the confectionery industry.
    1923
    Forrest Mars, son of Frank Mars, introduced the Milky Way bar after being inspired by a popular milkshake. Advertised as a chocolate malted milk in candy bar form, it quickly became the best-selling candy bar in America.
    1929
    Frank Mars relocated the company to Chicago, Illinois, and commenced full production in a manufacturing plant that continues operating today. This move positioned Mars for significant expansion during the following decades.
    1932
    Forrest Mars established Mars Limited in the United Kingdom and launched the Mars bar for European markets. This international expansion laid the foundation for the company’s eventual global presence.
    1967
    Mars acquired Masterfoods, a food business founded by the Lewis family in Australia in 1949. This acquisition expanded Mars beyond confectionery into broader food categories and strengthened its international footprint.
    1980
    Forrest Mars started Ethel M Chocolates in Las Vegas after becoming restless in retirement. The premium chocolate business eventually grew into a chain of specialty shops across the United States.
    2007
    Mars purchased Doane Petcare Company, significantly expanding its position in the U.S. dry pet food market. The company also undertook a major rebranding operation, renaming business divisions including Four Square to Mars Drinks.
    2008
    Mars Incorporated, partnering with Berkshire Hathaway, acquired Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company for $23 billion in an all-cash transaction. This deal made Mars the world’s largest confectionery company with combined sales exceeding $27 billion.
    2014
    Mars opened a $270 million chocolate manufacturing facility in Topeka, Kansas, representing the first new U.S. plant in 35 years. The facility demonstrated continued investment in American manufacturing capacity.

    Mars Incorporated Co-founders

    Frank C. Mars
    Started selling hand-dipped candy at age 19 after learning the craft from his mother. He founded the Mars Candy Factory in 1911 and later established Mar-O-Bar Company in Minneapolis, creating the foundation for Mars Incorporated.
    Ethel V. Mars
    Frank Mars’s second wife who co-founded the original Mars Candy Factory in Tacoma, Washington in 1911. She worked alongside Frank during the company’s earliest years in the confectionery business.

    Mars Incorporated Competitors

    Mars Incorporated competes across multiple categories including chocolate confectionery, pet food, chewing gum, and packaged foods. The competitive landscape features both multinational corporations and specialized regional players targeting similar consumer segments.

    Company Headquarters Primary Category
    Hershey Company Hershey, Pennsylvania Chocolate Confectionery
    Mondelez International Chicago, Illinois Snacks & Confectionery
    Nestle Vevey, Switzerland Food & Beverage
    Ferrero Group Alba, Italy Chocolate & Confectionery
    Lindt & Sprungli Kilchberg, Switzerland Premium Chocolate
    General Mills Minneapolis, Minnesota Packaged Foods
    Purina (Nestle) St. Louis, Missouri Pet Food
    Blue Buffalo Wilton, Connecticut Premium Pet Food
    Perfetti Van Melle Lainate, Italy Confectionery & Gum
    Lotte Confectionery Seoul, South Korea Confectionery

    Mars Incorporated Revenue

    Mars Incorporated generates substantial annual revenue as one of the largest privately-held companies globally. The family-owned structure limits public financial disclosure, though the company reports revenue exceeding $45 billion across its six business divisions.

    Mars Incorporated Acquisitions

    Mars Incorporated has pursued strategic acquisitions to expand market presence and diversify product portfolios across confectionery, pet care, and food categories. The company’s acquisition strategy emphasizes long-term value creation rather than short-term financial gains, reflecting its private ownership structure.

    The 1967 acquisition of Masterfoods marked Mars’s expansion beyond candy into broader food categories. Founded by the Lewis family in Australia in 1949, Masterfoods brought established food brands and manufacturing capabilities. This acquisition established Mars as a diversified food company rather than solely a confectionery manufacturer, laying groundwork for future category expansion.

    In June 2007, Mars purchased Doane Petcare Company, dramatically strengthening its position in the American dry pet food market. This acquisition complemented existing pet care brands like Pedigree and Whiskas, allowing Mars to offer comprehensive pet nutrition solutions across wet and dry food segments. The transaction reflected growing consumer spending on premium pet products.

    The most significant acquisition came in April 2008 when Mars, partnering with Berkshire Hathaway, acquired Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company for $23 billion. This all-cash transaction brought iconic chewing gum brands including Wrigley’s, Doublemint, Juicy Fruit, and Orbit under Mars control. The deal created the world’s largest confectionery company with projected combined sales exceeding $27 billion annually.

    The Wrigley acquisition transformed Mars into a dominant force across multiple confectionery categories. While competitors like Hershey and Nestle maintained strong chocolate positions, Mars now commanded leadership in both chocolate and chewing gum markets. The integration proved successful due to complementary distribution networks and shared retailer relationships.

    Mars also divested non-core businesses to sharpen strategic focus. In 2006, the company sold Mars Electronics International, which manufactured coin mechanisms and bill validators for vending machines. This divestiture allowed Mars to concentrate resources on food and pet care operations where the company maintained competitive advantages and stronger growth prospects.

    The company’s acquisition approach differs from publicly-traded competitors. Mars can pursue acquisitions based on strategic fit and long-term potential without quarterly earnings pressure. This patient capital advantage enabled Mars to integrate Wrigley successfully over several years while maintaining both brand portfolios and avoiding hasty cost-cutting that might damage brand equity.

    Mars Incorporated Marketcap

    Mars Incorporated operates as a privately-held family business and does not trade on public exchanges. The company has no market capitalization, as this metric applies exclusively to publicly-traded corporations with shares available for investor purchase.

    FAQs

    When was Mars Incorporated founded?

    Mars Incorporated was founded in 1911 by Frank C. Mars in Tacoma, Washington. The modern company took shape in 1920 when Frank Mars established Mar-O-Bar Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

    Who owns Mars Incorporated?

    The Mars family owns Mars Incorporated as a privately-held company. The business has remained under family ownership for four generations since Frank C. Mars founded the company in 1911.

    What brands does Mars Incorporated own?

    Mars owns Snickers, M&Ms, Milky Way, Twix, Skittles, Wrigley’s gum, Orbit, Pedigree, Whiskas, Uncle Ben’s rice, and numerous other confectionery, pet food, and food brands across six business segments.

    How much did Mars pay for Wrigley?

    Mars Incorporated, together with Berkshire Hathaway, paid $23 billion in cash to acquire Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company in 2008, making Mars the world’s largest confectionery company.

    Where is Mars Incorporated headquarters located?

    Mars Incorporated headquarters is located in McLean, Virginia, United States. The company operates manufacturing facilities and offices in over 80 countries worldwide with more than 140,000 employees globally.

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