Our History

Frank C Mars gives his son, Forrest, $50,000 and the formula for ‘Milky Way’ to go to the UK and start his own business, Mars Limited, in Slough. The first MARS^® bars are handmade, August Bank Holiday Monday. The story of the MARS^® bar starts here...

At one stage during the war there was no gold ink for printing wrappers.

During the war years, MARS^® bars were allocated to troops in the UK and to prisoners of war in Germany.

WW2 sweet rationing introduced. MARS^® does its bit and continues to be manufactured and distributed for the Armed Forces rations.

Great news! Sweet rationing ended.

When confectionery rationing was lifted, 7,000 MARS^® bars were sent to Dr Barnardo’s children’s homes.

MARS^® first TV advertising, “Stars love MARS^®” theme with Bob Monkhouse, Richard Murdoch and Petula Clark.

“A MARS^® a day helps you work, rest and play” first used.

Check out the retro packaging from 1960!

Its party time! MARS^® Funsize is introduced.

The Falklands Task Force takes 3 million MARS^® bars with them – what a lot of bars!

MARS^® Ice Cream is born!

MARS^® sponsors the Football World Cup.

MARS^® bars exported to Russia for the first time. Demand was such that they had to be rationed to 4 per person!

MARS^® sponsors the Olympic Games.

MARS^® sponsors the World Cup USA.

MARS^® bottled drink is first launched.

National press latches on to the story that a warehouseman stole the equivalent of 8 lorry loads of MARS^® bars worth around £500,000 with the aid of a computer.

Did you believe? MARS^® bars in the UK are renamed ‘Believe’ bars on pack as a gesture of support for the England football team for the duration of the World Cup.

‘Recharge on MARS^®’ ad aired.

New kid on the block, MARS PLANETS^® is launched!

Work – Rest – Play ™

We never stopped loving it – Work - Rest - Play™ is back.

In October 2009 MARS^® and The FA announced 5-year sponsorship deal.

MARS^® became an Official Snack Supplier to the England Team and is also working with The FA on their grassroots Get Into Football campaign.

MARS^® announced a 5-year partnership with The FA which positioned MARS^® an Official Supplier to the England Team until July 2010, moving to Official Supporter of the England Team from August 2010 to July 2014. MARS^® will also help drive new elements of The FA’s Get Into Football campaign during this partnership.

As the Official Snack Supplier to the England Team, MARS^® will help galvanise the nation in their support for England, and bringing fans closer to the team.

>> Click here to view the Press Event and Press Release.

Same delicious taste, 45% less saturated fat

At Mars, we are in the chocolate business, and enjoying chocolate is something we want people to feel good about.

That's why, whilst we will never compromise on taste, we are also committed to making our products even better. We have invested millions of pounds and thousands of man hours to reduce the saturated fat in our bars, whilst keeping the taste absolutely the same. We are proud to be the first chocolate company to achieve this. Mars, the nation's favourite bar, now has 45% less saturated fat (per 100g) than the average of the top 25 chocolate brands.

* than the average of the top 25 chocolate brands per 100g