M&M’s, the popular candy-coated chocolate treat, has become a household name and a favorite among candy enthusiasts worldwide. But have you ever wondered who actually owns M&M’s? In this article, we will delve into the ownership of this beloved brand and shed light on the individuals behind it.
M&M’s is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a global confectionery and pet food company. Mars, Incorporated was founded in 1911 by Frank C. Mars in Tacoma, Washington. The company initially started as a small confectionery business, but it quickly grew and expanded its product line to include various popular brands such as Milky Way, Snickers, and Twix.
The story of M&M’s begins in the late 1930s when Forrest Mars, the son of Frank Mars, observed soldiers in the Spanish Civil War eating small chocolate pellets encased in a hard sugar shell. Inspired by this concept, Forrest Mars returned to the United States and sought to develop a similar candy. However, it wasn’t until 1941 that M&M’s as we know them today were introduced to the public.
To bring his vision to life, Forrest Mars partnered with Bruce Murrie, the son of William Murrie, who was the president of Hershey Chocolate at the time. The collaboration between Mars and Murrie led to the creation of the iconic M&M’s candies. The name “M&M’s” was derived from the initials of Mars and Murrie, symbolizing the partnership between the two families.
Initially, M&M’s were sold exclusively to the military as a convenient and durable ration for soldiers during World War II. However, their popularity quickly spread among civilians, and in 1948, the candies were made available to the general public. Since then, M&M’s have become an integral part of popular culture and are loved by people of all ages.
In terms of ownership, Mars, Incorporated holds full ownership of the M&M’s brand. Over the years, Mars, Incorporated has continued to innovate and expand its product offerings, introducing various flavors, limited editions, and spin-off products like M&M’s Minis, M&M’s Peanut Butter, and M&M’s Crispy.
Today, M&M’s is a globally recognized brand, with production facilities in various countries around the world. The candies are manufactured using a secret recipe and are known for their vibrant colors, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, and the distinctive “m” logo stamped on each candy shell.
M&M’s is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a leading confectionery and pet food company. The creation of M&M’s was a result of the collaboration between Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, with the brand name derived from their initials. Since its introduction, M&M’s has become a beloved candy brand, enjoyed by millions worldwide. So, the next time you indulge in a handful of M&M’s, you can appreciate the rich history and legacy behind this iconic treat.
How Did M Get Their Name?
M&M candies got their name from the founders of the company, Mars and Murrie. In 1941, Forrest Mars Sr., the son of candy maker Frank C. Mars, struck a deal with Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey Chocolate’s president, William F. R. Murrie. They decided to collaborate and create a candy-coated chocolate treat. To symbolize their partnership, they named the candy M&M, which stood for “Mars & Murrie.”
Initially, the partnership gave Murrie a 20% stake in the M&M candy. However, this stake was later bought out by Mars when chocolate rationing ended at the conclusion of World War II in 1948. Mars acquired full control over the brand and continued to grow it into the iconic candy it is today.
Does Hershey Own M&M?
Hershey does not own M&M. M&M’s is a brand that is owned by Mars, Incorporated. Mars, Incorporated is a privately-held company that was founded in 1911 by Frank C. Mars. The company is known for its confectionery products, including brands like Mars, Snickers, Twix, and of course, M&M’s.
However, it is interesting to note that there is a historical connection between Hershey and M&M’s. In the early years of M&M’s, Mars, Incorporated partnered with Hershey to produce the candy. This partnership began in 1939 when Forrest Mars, the son of Frank Mars, teamed up with Bruce Murrie, the son of William Murrie, who was the president of Hershey at that time.
During World War II, M&M’s became a popular snack for soldiers due to their ability to withstand high temperatures without melting. The partnership between Mars and Hershey allowed M&M’s to be manufactured using Hershey’s chocolate, while Mars handled the candy coating and distribution. This partnership continued until 1949 when Mars bought out Hershey’s stake in the M&M’s brand.
Since then, Mars, Incorporated has been the sole owner of the M&M’s brand. Hershey, on the other hand, is a separate company that is also well-known for its confectionery products, including brands like Hershey’s Chocolate Bars, Reese’s, and Kit Kat.
While there was a historical connection between Hershey and M&M’s, Hershey does not currently own M&M’s. M&M’s is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a separate company known for its various confectionery brands.
Did Milwaukee Buy M&M?
It has been announced that Milwaukee Electric Tool Co is indeed acquiring M&Ms Candies. This strategic move signifies an expansion of Milwaukee Electric Tool Co’s business portfolio into the confectionery industry. The acquisition of M&Ms Candies allows Milwaukee Electric Tool Co to diversify its product offerings and tap into the lucrative market of sweet treats.
However, it is important to note that this acquisition does not mean the complete takeover of M&Ms Candies by Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. Rather, Milwaukee Electric Tool Co will be taking control of the brand and making changes to its product line. As part of their marketing strategy, they have decided to eliminate all colors from the M&Ms Candies, except for the iconic color red.
This decision to retain only the red color of M&Ms Candies is a bold and innovative move by Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. By focusing on a single color, they aim to create a unique and distinctive brand identity for M&Ms Candies. This marketing strategy is intended to capture the attention of consumers and differentiate their product from the competition.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Co has acquired M&Ms Candies and will be implementing a marketing strategy that involves eliminating all colors except for red. This move signifies an expansion of Milwaukee Electric Tool Co’s business into the confectionery industry and aims to create a distinct brand identity for M&Ms Candies.
Conclusion
The ownership of the brand M&M’s can be attributed to Mars and Murrie. The name M&M’s itself is derived from the initials of these two individuals. Mars refers to Forrest Mars, the son of the founder of Mars, Frank Mars, while Murrie refers to Bruce Murrie, the son of William Murrie, who was the president of Hershey at the time. In 1939, during the Second World War, Mars and Murrie joined forces to create M&M’s candies, with Murrie holding a 20% stake in the business. However, Mars later bought out Murrie’s stake when chocolate rationing ended in 1948. Today, M&M’s is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a global confectionery company.
