Mars has completed 5 recorded acquisitions and 0 divestitures or spin-offs, spanning 2008 to 2024.
| Date | Type | Assets | Counterparty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024announced | Acquisition | Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts and RXBAR +3 | — | $35.9bn |
| Nov 2020 | Acquisition | KIND | — | undisclosed |
| Sep 2020 | Rebrand | Ben's Original | — | — |
| Sep 2017 | Acquisition | Banfield Pet Hospital | — | $9.1bn |
| Aug 2014 | Acquisition | IAMS and Eukanuba | — | $2.9bn |
| Oct 2008 | Acquisition | Extra, Orbit, Skittles and Starburst | Wrigley | $23bn |
Mars agreed to acquire Kellanova for $83.50 per share in cash, which would add Pringles and Cheez-It to Mars Snacking and rank among the largest packaged food deals ever. The transaction required clearance in multiple jurisdictions.
Mars took full ownership of KIND, having held a minority stake since 2017. The snack bar company had built its position on visible whole ingredients through a transparent wrapper, and its founder stayed on to lead it.
Mars renamed Uncle Ben's to Ben's Original and removed the image of an elderly Black man from the packaging, after criticism during the 2020 racial justice protests that the branding drew on a servant stereotype.
Mars acquired VCA Inc., the largest chain of veterinary hospitals in the United States, for about $9.1 billion including debt. Mars already owned Banfield, and the combination made the largest pet food company in the world also the largest provider of veterinary care.
Mars acquired the IAMS and Eukanuba pet food brands from Procter & Gamble for about $2.9 billion, covering North America and several other markets. Spectrum Brands bought the European rights separately, so the brands have different owners by territory.
Mars acquired the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company for $80 a share in cash, financed in part by Berkshire Hathaway and Goldman Sachs. The deal created Mars Wrigley and made Mars the largest confectionery company in the world.
Full chart with a text equivalent, free to republish with attribution.