Last updated 3 months ago | Originally Published: November 18, 2023
Mars Wrigley is, without a doubt, the #1 candy producer in the world. In fact, Mars would wear the crown if there were a king of candy! With top-selling brands such as Snickers, Skittles, Dove Chocolate, and M&Ms, it’s safe to say that Mars is the most diverse candy producer in the world.
That said, we’d like to welcome you to Candy Retailer! We’re a real candy store located in Newport, Kentucky, and this is our blog! We aim to engage with our readers and customers on a whole new level by getting more in-depth about the products we sell in our candy shop!
For example, many people don’t know that Mars Wrigley is the maker of their favorite candy brand, and this is where we come in! We have over 50 years of experience in the candy business, so when it comes to candy facts and stats, we have decades’ worth of information!
We’re not saying that in a bragging way but in a way that displays our authority in this niche, which we’re now passing down to you! So, if you love candy and snacks as much as we do, then prepare as we arm you with all the facts and stats on your favorite candy brands by Mars!
The True History of Mars Candy
The history of the Mars candy brand began with Franklin Clarence Mars, who learned to hand-dip candy from his mother and started selling candy at the age of 19. In 1911, he founded the Mars Candy Factory in Tacoma, Washington, with his second wife, Ethel V. Mars.
This factory initially produced and sold fresh candy wholesale but was unsuccessful due to competition from an established business in the area, Brown & Haley.
By 1920, Mars moved back to his home state of Minnesota, where he founded Mar-O-Bar Co. in Minneapolis, the earliest incarnation of what would become Mars, Incorporated.
Franklin’s son, Forrest Mars Sr., inspired by a famous milkshake in 1923, introduced the Milky Way bar, which became a best-seller. Frank Mars moved the company to Chicago in 1929, starting full production in a plant that still exists today.
He created the Snickers bar in 1930 and introduced the 3 Musketeers bar in 1932. That same year, Forrest Mars Sr. started Mars Limited in the United Kingdom and launched the Mars bar.
The company moved its headquarters to McLean, Virginia, in 1984 and remains a family-owned business owned by the Mars family. It is known for its secrecy and rarely allows insight into its operations.
The Most Famous Mars Candy Brands in the World
Moving ahead, we’d now like to introduce all the top candy brands made by Mars. We carry all Mars products here at Candy Retailer, so if you see something on the list that gets you excited, all you need to do is click the button below the brand image, and that’ll take you straight to our category page where you can find the products you want at the prices you deserve!
Top Mars Candy Bar Brands
Below, you’ll find all the top Mars candy bars currently available at the time of this posting. As a reminder, we update our content often, so if Mars adds a new product or discontinues one, we’ll freshen up our content, ensuring you always get the latest scoop, no matter when you find us!
3 Musketeers
The 3 Musketeers bar, introduced in 1932, is a chocolate-covered, fluffy, whipped nougat bar. Originally, it featured three flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, hence the name. Today, it is primarily available as a single-flavor offering – a light, chocolate-whipped nougat encased in a thin chocolate layer. This candy bar is known for its airy texture and sweet, smooth taste.
Dove Chocolate
Dove Chocolate, also known as Galaxy in some markets, offers a range of chocolate products, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and various chocolate bars with fruit and nut inclusions. Dove prides itself on its silky texture and quality ingredients, appealing to those seeking a luxurious chocolate experience. The brand extends beyond bars, including ice cream, cakes, and more.
M&M’s
Introduced in 1941, M&Ms are colorful, bite-sized candies with a hard sugar shell and a chocolate filling. The classic varieties include milk chocolate and peanut, with numerous variations such as peanut butter, almond, pretzel, and crispy. M&Ms are recognized globally for their iconic “m” imprint and are popular for their convenience and variety of flavors and textures.
Mars
The Mars bar, a flagship product, features nougat and caramel covered in milk chocolate. Originating in the UK in 1932, it is known as the Milky Way bar in some countries. The Mars bar is famed for its rich and satisfying combination of chewy, creamy, and chocolaty layers, making it a longstanding favorite among candy lovers.
Milky Way
The Milky Way bar, created in 1923, consists of nougat topped with caramel and covered in milk chocolate. Originally designed to mimic the taste of a malted milkshake, this bar is distinguished by its light, fluffy nougat, contrasted with the sweet caramel and chocolate coating. Its smooth and creamy texture offers a unique taste experience.
Snickers
Introduced in 1930, the Snickers bar contains nougat, peanuts, and caramel, all encased in milk chocolate. It’s known for its satisfying combination of textures and flavors: the chewiness of nougat, the crunchiness of peanuts, and the smoothness of caramel and chocolate. Snickers is marketed as a filling snack and is one of the best-selling candy bars globally.
Twix
Twix, first introduced in the UK in 1967, consists of a biscuit (cookie) base, topped with caramel and coated in milk chocolate. It is distinct for its combination of crunchiness from the biscuit and the chewy texture of the caramel, all enveloped in smooth chocolate. Twix is typically packaged with two bars per serving, playing on the twin theme in its marketing.
Wrigley’s Chewing Gum Brands
Without a doubt, Wrigley’s is the most famous chewing gum brand on the planet. They currently offer seven options, and we carry them all. Also, the list below has stood the test of time, as most of these brands have been around much longer than most of us, proving they’re the best.
Winterfresh
Wrigley introduced Winterfresh gum, which offers a unique, cool flavor experience. This gum is known for its long-lasting, icy mint taste, which provides a refreshing sensation. The distinctively smooth, wintergreen flavor sets it apart from traditional mint gums. Popular for its ability to effectively freshen breath, Winterfresh has become a staple for those seeking a crisp, refreshing chewing gum experience.
Big Red
Big Red, a classic Wrigley gum, is renowned for its bold cinnamon flavor. Launched in 1975, it delivers a long-lasting, spicy, intense, and warming taste. This gum stands out with its fiery red color and distinctive packaging. Big Red is favored for its ability to freshen breath while providing a uniquely spicy chewing experience, making it a standout choice in the cinnamon gum category.
Juicy Fruit
Juicy Fruit, introduced by Wrigley in 1893, is one of the oldest chewing gum brands. It’s famous for its sweet, fruity, unique, and unmistakable flavor. The gum’s taste blends various fruit flavors, creating a juicy, mouthwatering experience. Juicy Fruit has a soft texture and is known for its bright yellow packaging, symbolizing its lively and playful flavor profile.
Spearmint
Wrigley’s Spearmint gum, first introduced in 1893, offers a classic, refreshing spearmint flavor. It’s known for its smooth, crisp taste that provides a clean, refreshing mouthfeel. This gum has a loyal following thanks to its traditional yet always appealing spearmint taste. Its green packaging symbolizes the natural, cool flavor it delivers, making it a popular choice for mint gum enthusiasts.
Doublemint
Doublemint, launched by Wrigley in 1914, is celebrated for its original, minty flavor. This gum is characterized by its unique blend of peppermint and spearmint, creating a doubly refreshing experience. The green and white packaging symbolizes its clean, crisp taste. Doublemint is famed for its ability to freshen breath while providing a long-lasting, invigorating mint flavor.
Extra
Extra gum, introduced in 1984, is known for its various long-lasting flavors. As a sugar-free gum, it’s popular among health-conscious consumers. Extra offers many flavors, from classic peppermint and spearmint to innovative fruit flavors. Its standout feature is the enduring flavor duration, making it a go-to choice for freshening breath and enjoying a flavorful chewing experience.
5 Gum
5 Gum, launched in 2007, is a line of sugar-free chewing gum known for its bold flavors and sleek, modern packaging. Each variety offers a unique sensory experience, from tingling spearmint to intense peppermint. Its standout feature is its long-lasting flavor and sensory impact. 5 Gum is marketed towards a youthful audience, appealing to those seeking an adventurous and invigorating chewing experience.
Orbit
Orbit gum, a sugar-free chewing gum brand introduced in 2001, is celebrated for its range of fresh, clean flavors. Designed to promote oral health, Orbit is known for its cavity-fighting properties. Orbit provides a clean, refreshing chew in classic mint and unique fruit flavors. Its sleek and portable packaging makes it a popular choice for maintaining fresh breath on the go.
Hubba Bubba
Hubba Bubba, a Wrigley brand introduced in 1979, is famous for its bubble gum in tape and chunk forms. Known for its soft, chewy texture and ability to form large bubbles, it’s popular among children and teenagers. Hubba Bubba offers a variety of fun flavors, from original bubble gum to fruity and sour varieties. Its playful nature and bold flavors make it a favorite in the bubble gum category.
More Famous Mars Candy Brands
Aside from candy bars and Wrigley’s chewing gum, Mars also produces candy for some of the biggest names in the candy industry! As you can see from the list below, Mars products stretch far beyond the iconic brands mentioned above; it’s exciting to see what will come next.
Altoids
Initially introduced in the 18th century, Altoids are known for their strong peppermint flavor. Marketed as “curiously strong mints,” they provide an intense, long-lasting freshness. Altoids have expanded beyond their original peppermint to include other mint and fruit-based flavors. Altoids are packaged in distinctive metal tins, have a classic appeal, and are favored by those seeking a powerful and refreshing mint experience.
Life Savers
Life Savers, created in 1912, are ring-shaped hard candies known for their several flavors and colors. These candies originally resembled miniature life preservers, hence the name. Available in fruit and mint varieties, Life Savers are beloved for their sweet taste and pleasant aroma. The brand has expanded to include gummies and breath mints, but the classic hard candy remains a favorite.
Skittles
Introduced in 1974, Skittles are small, round, fruit-flavored candies with a hard shell and chewy interior. Each color represents a different flavor, from strawberry to grape. Known for the slogan “Taste the Rainbow,” Skittles offers a vibrant and playful candy experience. The brand has diversified its flavor offerings over the years, including sour, tropical, and berry varieties, catering to a wide range of flavors.
Starburst
Starburst, a fruit-flavored chewy candy, was first launched in 1960. Known for its juicy flavors and brightly colored wrappers, Starburst offers an array of fruit tastes, including strawberry, lemon, orange, and cherry. The candy’s chewy texture and bold flavors have made it popular. Starburst has expanded to include variations like Starburst Minis and FaveREDs, continuously evolving its range to appeal to a broad audience.
Nobody Knows Mars Candy Better Than You Now
You are now strapped with all the facts about Mars candy! Most people know the brands we mentioned; however, most don’t know that they’re all made by Mars! If you have any questions about these brands or products, please share them in the comment section below!
We currently get tens of thousands of monthly visitors, so your voice will be heard if you share something about Mars with us. We invite you to share stories, brand facts, and trivia, or you can just tell us your favorite brand from the list above; we’d all love to hear from you!
To whom it may concern how can I just purchase the green watermelon flavor only .