By the 1930s, the company was shaken by a family feud. Frank’s son, Forrest Mars, Sr., after disagreements with his father, moved to England where he established a separate candy company. While there, Forrest introduced innovations such as the Mars Bar and later developed the idea for M&M’s, which debuted in 1941 and went on to become one of the most popular candies in history. Today, more than 400 million M&M’s are produced daily in the United States alone.
The Mars family businesses eventually reunited, and under the leadership of Forrest E. Mars, Jr., John F. Mars, and Jacqueline Mars, the company expanded globally through the late 20th century. In 2001, management transitioned to non-family executives, though ownership remained within the Mars family, keeping it one of the largest family-owned firms in the world.
Mars has grown far beyond confectionery. The acquisition of Doane Petcare in 2007 positioned the company as a leader in the pet food industry, with brands like Pedigree, Whiskas, and Royal Canin. Its subsidiaries now include Mars Wrigley Confectionery, Petcare, Food, and Mars Edge, a life sciences division focused on nutrition. Mars also operates Ethel M Chocolates, a premium retail brand honoring Ethel Mars’s legacy.
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Mars employs over 140,000 people in more than 80 countries. Despite its vast scale, the company emphasizes its “Five Principles”—quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom—as guiding values.
Today, Jacqueline and John Mars, heirs to Forrest Sr.’s fortune, remain co-owners, each worth an estimated $24 billion. Mars continues to rank among the top privately held corporations in the United States, balancing tradition with innovation while expanding its influence in food, health, and pet care.
Mars, Inc.: From Candy Kitchen to Global Powerhouse
