You’ll Never Guess the Iconic Food Brand That’s Secretly Owned by Mars
Upon hearing Mars’s name, most people picture Skittles, Snickers, and M&Ms. However, many shoppers don’t realize Mars, Inc. owns a pantry favorite you’ve probably picked up countless times: Ben’s Original. The rice brand, once called Uncle Ben’s, has been under Mars ownership for decades. It rebranded in 2020 after the company decided to make its marketing more inclusive and modern.
The change wasn’t just about the name. Mars wanted to refresh the brand’s image and connect it with current consumer values. By 2025, the company rolled out its Keep It Original campaign, which focused on authenticity, community, and diversity. It showed that Mars was serious about evolving beyond candy and becoming a global food company with a broader purpose.
Candy Startup Turned Food Giant
Mars began more than a century ago when Frank C. Mars started his candy business in 1920 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His first big success was the Milky Way bar in 1923, inspired by a malted milkshake he shared with his son, Forrest. Seven years later, Snickers hit shelves, named after the family’s favorite horse. The small family business quickly became one of the world’s largest privately owned companies.
Over the decades, Mars expanded its portfolio through smart acquisitions. In 2008, it bought Wrigley, instantly adding Hubba Bubba, Orbit, Juicy Fruit, 5 Gum, and Altoids to its collection. That same strategy gave Mars ownership of Dove chocolate in 1986, which started as a small Chicago ice cream shop before becoming a household name.
The Candy Brands Everyone Knows
Image via iStockphoto/Samohin
Snickers, Twix, M&Ms, Milky Way, Skittles, Starburst, and Dove are all part of Mars’ sweet empire. Snickers launched in 1930 and now earns over $1 billion in annual U.S. sales. Twix, which debuted in the late 1960s in the U.K., became famous for its cookie-caramel combo and the fun Left vs. Right Twix campaign that had fans picking sides. M&Ms, introduced in 1941, were inspired by candy-coated chocolates Frank Mars saw soldiers eating during wartime. Today, an estimated 400 million M&Ms are made every day.
Skittles arrived in the U.S. in 1982, and in 1994, the world was introduced to the “Taste the Rainbow” slogan. Starburst started as Opal Fruits in 1960, before Mars changed the name to match America’s fascination with space. Even Altoids and Orbit, both acquired through Wrigley, have long histories dating back over a century.
Expanding Beyond The Sweet Aisle
While candy put Mars on the map, the company’s reach now stretches far beyond chocolate. Alongside Ben’s Original, Mars owns health-conscious brands like Kind, Nature’s Bakery, and trü frü. It also manages Dolmio, Royco, and Kevin’s Natural Foods, expanding into savory and convenient meal options. The company’s goal is to blend quick, reliable foods with a focus on healthier eating and sustainability.
Despite employing more than 150,000 people worldwide and managing dozens of familiar brands, Mars keeps a surprisingly low profile. Most consumers don’t realize their favorite rice, candy, gum, and snack bars come from the same company. That’s what makes Ben’s Original such an interesting example. It represents how Mars has evolved from a candy maker into a global food powerhouse.