about us
our history
Our 100+ year history has a rich timeline. New products and services, new business segments and thousands of new associates, but one thing remains: we’re still a family business at heart.
1940's
Forrest E. Mars, Sr., returns to the United States and establishes M&M'S Limited in Newark, New Jersey. M&M'S Plain Chocolate Candies were introduced in 1941.
1950's
M&M'S had become so popular by 1950 that an ingenious solution for consumers to distinguish the real M&M'S from inferior imitators was to stamp each candy with the now famous "m". The slogan "Look for the m on every piece" was created. M&M'S Peanut Chocolate Candies were introduced in 1954 and the color used to print the "m" on M&M'S Plain and Peanut Chocolate Candies was changed from black to white.
1960's
M&M'S Fruit Chews were launched and later developed into Starburst.
1980's
Mars becomes the first candy in space when M&M'S Chocolate Candies are chosen by the first space shuttle astronauts to be included in their food supply. M&M'S Plain and Peanut Chocolate Candies become the "Official Snack Foods of the Olympic Games" in 1984. With brand harmonization in the 1980’s, M&M's Candies go global, expanding into Asia Pacific, Australia, Europe and Russia! M&M'S Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies were introduced in the U.S. in 1989.
1990's
M&M'S Colorworks offers consumers a kaleidoscope of 21 colored M&M'S Milk Chocolate Candies through selected specialty candy stores and via the internet at my M&M'S. Production of M&M'S Mini’s Milk Chocolate Candies begun in 1997. M&M'S Colorworks Peanut Candies were launched in 1998 at M&M'S world stores.
2000's
M&M'S Chocolate Candies became "The Official Candy of the New Millenium." MM is the Roman numeral for 2000. In 2002 the first ever global M&M'S Chocolate Candies Color Vote was held, voters’ choices were purple, aqua or pink; the winner was purple. Approximately 10 million ballots cast worldwide from every corner of the earth! In 2004 M&M'S Chocolate launches My M&M'S – the new online service allows consumers to design their own customized message on M&M'S Chocolate Candies. In 2008, the launch of "Faces" allows customers to upload personal images to their personalized candies.
2010's
M&M'S Character Ms. Brown debuts at the Super Bowl in 2012. In 2017 M&M'S Caramel Candies were launched and M&M'S Candies arrived in India, 75 years after it began selling in the U.S. M&M'S Flavor Vote winner in 2018 is Crunchy Mint, chosen over Crunchy Espresso and Crunchy Raspberry.
M&M'S
where we are today
A lot has changed in the time we've been around, but our open invite to a good time remains the same. We hope you enjoy exploring our M&M'S® world.
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