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Franklin Clarence Mars the first Mars CEO was born in Minnesota; his mother teaches him to hand-dip chocolates.
Mars establishes Mars Candy Factory in Tacoma, Washington, with his second wife, Ethel.
After relocating to Minneapolis, Frank founds Mar-O-Bar Co., which will become modern Mars, Inc.
The Milky Way candy bar debuts, marketed as “chocolate malted milk in a candy bar,” becoming the company’s first major success.
Mars relocates to Chicago, building a candy factory that would operate for nearly a century.
Snickers is introduced, featuring nougat, caramel, and peanuts (named after the Mars family horse).
The 3 Musketeers bar launches, originally containing three flavored pieces (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry).
Forrest Mars Sr. moves to the UK and introduces the Marathon and Mars Bar (similar to the American Milky Way). It would be discontinued decades later in 1981.
Frank Mars dies; his widow, Ethel V. Mars, takes control.
Mars, Inc. aquires U.K.-based Chappell Brothers, Ltd., the makers of CHAPPIE® canned dog food. Expanding into the pet food industry.
Maltesers debut in the UK, featuring honeycomb centers covered in milk chocolate.
M&M’s are created through a partnership between Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie. They are first sold to U.S. military with the slogan "Now 100% at War." The begin production in Newark, New Jersey the next year.
The lowercase “m” first printed on M&M’s candies. Their packaging shifts from tubes to brown packaging.
Peanut M&M’s introduced, expanding the M&M’s product line.
Bounty bar launches in the UK, featuring coconut filling covered in milk chocolate.
Galaxy/Dove chocolate introduced, offering a smoother texture than other Mars products.
Twix chocolate bars debut in the UK (originally called “Raider” in some European markets). That same year, Mars Ltd. (UK) and Mars, Inc. (U.S.) operations merge.
Starburst (originally called “Opal Fruits” in the UK) introduced, with the slogan "Made to make your mouth water!"
Forrest Mars Sr. launches Ethel M Chocolates as a premium brand.
Skittles introduced to the American market.
Kudos granola bars launch.
Dove Bar ice cream products introduced after Mars acquires Dove International.
PB Max candy bar debuts, featuring peanut butter and cookies (discontinued in 1994).
Mars globally standardizes the Snickers name, replacing “Marathon” in the UK.
Twix PB (peanut butter variant) introduced.
Celebrations assorted miniature chocolates launched in the UK.
Forrest Mars Sr. dies at age 95.
Mars acquires Wrigley Company, adding gum brands like Orbit, Juicy Fruit, Altoids, Hubba Bubba, and Doublemint.
Snickers Bites and Milky Way Bites introduced.
Goodnessknows snack bars launch.
Mars announces removal of artificial colors from all products.
Mars acquires Trü Frü, a chocolate-covered dried fruit brand.
Mars purchases Hotel Chocolat for £534 million.
Mars announces acquisition of Kellanova for $35.9 billion, pending approval.
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Mars, Inc.
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