Mars Incorporated is a name you’ve likely encountered, given its broad portfolio of well-loved brands like M&M’s, Pedigree, and Orbit gum. But how much do we know about the ownership, control, and functioning of this privately held company? This blog explores the intriguing facets of Mars—who owns it, how it operates, its revenue, and where it stands in the competitive landscape.
A Brief History of Mars
Founded in 1911 by Franklin Clarence Mars, Mars began as an ambitious venture into the candy-making industry. Its iconic Milky Way bar, launched in 1923, laid the foundation for the company’s global confectionery empire. Over a century later, Mars has transformed into a multinational giant, not only famous for its sweets but also known for its pet care, food, and other diverse ventures.
Despite its immense size and influence, Mars has remained a private, family-owned business—an anomaly among corporations of its scale. This commitment to remaining privately held has fueled curiosity about its ownership and organizational structure.
Who Owns Mars?
Mars Incorporated is owned entirely by the Mars family. Unlike publicly traded companies with shareholders, Mars operates as a privately held entity where ownership lies within the family. The Mars family members are the sole beneficiaries of the company’s profits and decision-making authority.
The largest shareholder in the company is Jacqueline Mars, the granddaughter of Franklin Clarence Mars, the founder of the company. Alongside her, her brother John Mars also has a significant ownership stake. Ownership is divided among other family members as well—including descendants of Forrest Mars Jr., Jacqueline and John’s late brother.
This tight-knit ownership structure has preserved what many consider the “family ethos” of Mars. It has also allowed the company to maintain a high level of discretion about its financial and operational strategies.
| Shareholder | Role | Estimated Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Mars | Largest Shareholder | ~33% |
| John Mars | Co-Shareholder | ~33% |
| Forrest Mars Jr.’s Descendants | Co-Shareholders | ~34% |
Top 10 Major Shareholders of Mars
Mars Incorporated is famously a privately held company, primarily owned by members of the Mars family. Here is an overview of the top 10 major shareholders, along with their respective roles, percentage ownership, and influence within the company:
Jacqueline Mars
- Ownership Percentage: Approximately 33.33%
- Role: Shareholder and family member
- Control: Jacqueline is one of the three primary heirs of the Mars fortune, holding significant influence in strategic decision-making for the company without direct operational management.
John Mars
- Ownership Percentage: Approximately 33.33%
- Role: Shareholder and family member
- Control: Like Jacqueline, John Mars plays a critical role as a key stakeholder, ensuring the company’s privately held structure continues across generations.
Descendants of Forrest Mars Jr.
- Ownership Percentage: Approximately 33.33% collectively
- Role: Shareholders and heirs
- Control: Consisting of several family members, the descendants of Forrest Mars Jr. have divided ownership yet retain substantial influence within the company’s operations and long-term strategies.
Mars Family Trusts
- Ownership Percentage: Undisclosed (est. significant minority percentage)
- Role: Fund management for Mars family members
- Control: Established to ensure smooth wealth transitions and maintain family control, the trusts hold voting power that aligns with the Mars family’s vision.
Individual Family Members (Extended Family)
- Ownership Percentage: Small minority stakes (aggregated under collective ownership)
- Role: Silent stakeholders
- Control: Some members of the extended family hold minor percentages in Mars but generally do not influence day-to-day operations.
Family Governance Board
- Ownership Percentage: No direct ownership; oversight role
- Role: Advisory and oversight body
- Control: While not shareholders, this governance board protects family interests and upholds strategic priorities, acting on behalf of primary Mars owners.
Mars Cultural Foundation
- Ownership Percentage: Non-shareholding entity
- Role: Custodian of Mars legacy, culture, and values
- Control: Although without direct stakeholding rights, the foundation influences the company’s cultural decisions.
Heirs to Additional Generational Stakes
- Ownership Percentage: Small minority portions assigned to younger heirs
- Role: Future family stakeholders
- Control: This secures long-term family involvement in Mars Incorporated, ensuring a stable, family-controlled future.
Spousal Wealth Transfers
- Ownership Percentage: Small stakes through inheritance or marriage settlements
- Role: Passive shareholders
- Control: These ownership percentages are generally held for estate planning and do not influence operations.
Philanthropic Mars Family Entities
- Ownership Percentage: Minimal (non-operational use)
- Role: Funds to support charitable causes
- Control: These shares focus on funding family-aligned philanthropic initiatives rather than influencing company operations.
Mars Incorporated’s intricate web of ownership ensures that the company remains tightly controlled by the Mars family, reflecting its long-term vision and maintaining its status as one of the largest privately held companies globally.
Who Controls Mars?
Given its unique ownership model, Mars Incorporated is run with direct oversight from the Mars family. While the family retains ultimate authority, the day-to-day management and decision-making processes are delegated to a professional leadership team. The current CEO is Poul Weihrauch, who leads the company’s global operations.
Despite having an external CEO, the Mars family significantly influences long-term strategies and the company’s overarching vision. This combination of direct family involvement and professional leadership ensures the company’s values remain consistent while adapting to changing markets.
Annual Revenue and Net Worth
Mars Incorporated is a financial powerhouse. According to recent estimates, the company generates annual revenue of approximately $45 billion, ranking it among the largest private companies in the world. Its estimated net worth is well over $100 billion, a testament to the company’s global success.
The family, particularly Jacqueline and John Mars, are listed among the wealthiest individuals globally, further demonstrating the immense profitability of the enterprise.
Market Share and Competitors
Mars enjoys a commanding presence in multiple industries, including confectionery, pet care, and packaged foods. The company’s diversified operations allow it to maintain substantial market share in several competitive sectors.
Confectionery Market
Mars is a dominant force in the confectionery industry, holding approximately 14% global market share, second only to Mondelez International (17%) and closely followed by Ferrero (10%). Its portfolio of chocolate products, including M&M’s, Snickers, and Dove, is a major contributor to this share.
Pet Care Market
Mars has an equally impressive foothold in the pet care industry as the parent company of brands like Pedigree, Whiskas, and Royal Canin. Pet care accounts for nearly half of the company’s revenues, competing closely with Nestlé Purina for market dominance.
Competitors Overview
The company’s key competitors include:
- Mondelez International (17% share in confectionery market): Famous for Oreo cookies and Cadbury chocolates.
- Ferrero (10% share): Known for Nutella and Kinder brands.
- Nestlé Purina (Pet Care): Mars’ closest competitor in the pet care industry.
- Hershey’s (U.S. Confectionery Dominance): A strong regional rival in North America.
Brands Owned by Mars
Mars Incorporated is more than just candy. Its sprawling portfolio includes brands across confectionery, pet care, and packaged foods. Here’s a closer look at some of its iconic brands:
Confectionery
- M&M’s
- Snickers
- Twix
- Milky Way
- Skittles
- Orbit Gum
Pet Care
- Pedigree
- Whiskas
- Royal Canin
- Iams
- Banfield Pet Hospitals (Veterinary services)
Food & Other Ventures
- Ben’s Original (formerly Uncle Ben’s): A popular brand of rice products.
- Seeds of Change (Organic food).
These diverse holdings showcase Mars’ ability to adapt its business model to meet the needs of a broad demographic while maintaining consistent quality.
What’s Next for Mars?
Mars Incorporated is a fascinating example of a family-run business scaling to global dominance across multiple industries. By combining their family ethos with innovative strategies and AI-driven processes, the company has positioned itself for continued growth in both established and emerging markets.
If you’re interested in learning more about their unique business structure or exciting plans for expansion, keep an eye on their official news releases—there’s always something brewing at Mars Incorporated.
FAQs
Q1. Is Mars Incorporated a public company?
No, Mars is a privately owned company held entirely by the Mars family.
Q2. Who are the largest shareholders of Mars?
Jacqueline Mars, John Mars, and the descendants of Forrest Mars Jr. collectively own the company.
Q3. How much revenue does Mars generate annually?
Mars generates approximately $45 billion in annual revenue.
Q4. What industries does Mars operate in?
Mars operates in the confectionery, pet care, and packaged food industries, among others.
Q5. Who are Mars’ key competitors?
Mars competes with companies like Mondelez International, Ferrero, Nestlé Purina, and Hershey’s across its various sectors.