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.

In March MARS^® and The Scottish Football Association announced a four year partnership that sees the MARS^® brand become an Official Partner to Scotland until July 2014.

As the main focus of the relationship, MARS^® will be working with the Scottish FA to encourage footballers over 18 to play more football more often. The long-term partnership will see MARS^® involved with The Scottish FA in a number of key areas of Scottish football:

• • Working as a partner with the Scottish FA for the next four years on a new initiative to encourage adults to get back into playing football
• • Official Partner of the Scottish FA
• • Official Partner of Scottish Teams