Brandtree

When did Mars buy and sell its brands?

Mars has completed 9 recorded acquisitions and 0 divestitures or spin-offs, spanning 2002 to 2025.

DateTypeAssetsCounterpartyValue
Dec 2025AcquisitionKellanova, Pringles, Cheez-It and Pop-Tarts +4public shareholders$35.9bn
Nov 2020AcquisitionKIND—undisclosed
Sep 2020RebrandBen's Original——
Sep 2017AcquisitionBanfield Pet Hospital and VCA Animal Hospitals—$9.1bn
Aug 2014AcquisitionIAMS and Eukanuba—$2.9bn
Oct 2008AcquisitionExtra, Orbit, Skittles and StarburstWrigley$23bn
May 2007AcquisitionNutro—undisclosed
Jan 2006AcquisitionGreenies—undisclosed
Jan 2002AcquisitionRoyal Canin—undisclosed

2025

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires Kellanova, Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, RXBAR, Nutri-Grain, Special K and Crunchy Nut

Mars agreed in August 2024 to buy Kellanova for $83.50 a share in cash, a total enterprise value of $35.9 billion including assumed net leverage, and completed the purchase on 11 December 2025 after the last regulatory approvals arrived three days earlier. Kellanova became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mars and its shares left the New York Stock Exchange. The brands did not change hands individually: Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, RXBAR and the international Kellogg cereals stay with Kellanova, which is now a private family-owned company's snacking arm rather than a listed business.

Value
$35.9bn
Buyer
Mars
Seller
public shareholders
Regulatory
None recorded

2020

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires KIND

Mars took full ownership of KIND, having held a minority stake since 2017. The snack bar company had built its position on visible whole ingredients through a transparent wrapper, and its founder stayed on to lead it.

Value
Undisclosed
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded
Rebrand closed

Ben's Original renamed

Mars renamed Uncle Ben's to Ben's Original and removed the image of an elderly Black man from the packaging, after criticism during the 2020 racial justice protests that the branding drew on a servant stereotype.

Value
—
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

2017

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires Banfield Pet Hospital and VCA Animal Hospitals

Mars acquired VCA Inc., the largest chain of veterinary hospitals in the United States, for about $9.1 billion including debt. Mars already owned Banfield, and the combination made the largest pet food company in the world also the largest provider of veterinary care.

Value
$9.1bn
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

2014

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires IAMS and Eukanuba

Mars acquired the IAMS and Eukanuba pet food brands from Procter & Gamble for about $2.9 billion, covering North America and several other markets. Spectrum Brands bought the European rights separately, so the brands have different owners by territory.

Value
$2.9bn
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

2008

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires Extra, Orbit, Skittles and Starburst

Mars acquired the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company for $80 a share in cash, financed in part by Berkshire Hathaway and Goldman Sachs. The deal created Mars Wrigley and made Mars the largest confectionery company in the world.

Value
$23bn
Buyer
Mars
Seller
Wrigley
Regulatory
None recorded

2007

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires Nutro

Mars acquired Nutro Products, a Californian natural pet food maker founded in 1926 and sold through specialty retailers rather than supermarkets. It sits above Pedigree and below the veterinary lines in the company's pet food hierarchy. The price was not disclosed.

Value
Undisclosed
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

2006

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires Greenies

Mars acquired S&M NuTec, maker of Greenies dental chews, which are shaped like toothbrushes and were developed after a dog owner grew tired of his pet's breath. They are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council for reducing plaque, unusual for a product sold as a treat. Only the year is documented here.

Value
Undisclosed
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

2002

Acquisition closed

Mars acquires Royal Canin

Mars acquired Royal Canin, a French pet food company founded by a veterinary surgeon in 1968 who began making feed for dogs with skin conditions. It sells by breed and by clinical condition rather than by flavour, and is sold largely through vets and pet specialists. Only the year is documented here.

Value
Undisclosed
Buyer
Mars
Seller
—
Regulatory
None recorded

Mars acquisitions on a timeline

Timeline of completed acquisitions by Mars

Full chart with a text equivalent, free to republish with attribution.