Mars Incorporated is a multinational American manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other products. But they are more popularly known for their Snickers, Milky Way, M&M, and Skittles brands. But do you know who owns the leading manufacturer of sweets?
Mars Incorporated, the maker of Snickers, Milky Way, M&Ms, Skittles, and other candies, is still a family-owned business. The Mars family is reclusive and rarely gives interviews, and their combined wealth is estimated to be more than $125 billion in 2020.
American Milky Way to European Mars
Those who live in the United States are probably familiar with the Milky Way candy bar. It is made of nougat and caramel coated in chocolate and is extremely tasty. The name was inspired by the creator’s attempt to replicate popular malted milkshakes of the time rather than by our galaxy, as some believe. Many of us who enjoy this candy bar may take it for granted when we travel, only to discover that it does not exist in the same form in other parts of the world.
In the United Kingdom, and almost everywhere else, it is sold outside of the United States; a very similar bar is known as the Mars Bar, which replaces the traditional Milky Way in those regions. To add to the confusion, you may come across a Milky Way candy bar while traveling abroad, but that Milky Way is the European version of our current 3 Musketeers bar. And, yes, the Mars Candy Company manufactures, sells, and markets all of these. (Source: Top Tenz)
How Did Snickers Get Its Name?
The Snickers bar is undoubtedly the most recognizable candy in the United States of America. This perfect candy bar does not require an introduction. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also filling and contains real peanuts, making it feel more like a real snack. Since its inception, it has enjoyed enormous popularity in the United States, but most people never consider where the name comes from.
Many candy bars have rather strange and fanciful names that we never stop considering. In the case of Snickers, we probably don’t think about it too much because it sounds strange and doesn’t seem to have much to do with the candy.
The Snickers bar was named after the Mars family’s favorite horse then, and they thought it would be fun to name the candy bar after him. Aside from a whimsy flight, nothing connects the candy and the horse. Strangely, the name changed again when it was marketed in the United Kingdom, where it was initially known as the Marathon Bar and held the top spot for many years.
However, for consistency’s sake, Mars changed the name to the Snickers Bar worldwide, and sales in the UK dropped significantly. Consumers generally dislike it when a product’s name is abruptly changed after many years. (Source: Top Tenz)
The Century Martians
In 1911, the global privately held company began as a family business in Tacoma, Washington. After the success of its first chocolate bar, the Milky Way, in 1929, founder Frank C. Mars relocated the company to Chicago, Illinois. Forrest Mars Sr, his son, also joined the company. (Source: Top Tenz)
Source: Camp Den FB