Mars said the combined snacking business is expected to generate around $36 billion in annual revenue and will include nine brands with more than $1 billion in annual sales each.
The company will keep Mars Snacking headquartered in Chicago while operating in more than 145 markets with approximately 80 production facilities and more than 170 branded retail outlets, including Hotel Chocolat and M&M’s World.
Poul Weihrauch, CEO and office of the president of Mars, said in a statement that the final regulatory approval allows the company to turn its focus to integrating Kellanova and building “an even more innovative global snacking business” that aims to offer more choice and quality to consumers. Andrew Clarke, global president of Mars Snacking, called the close a “transformative moment,” emphasizing the opportunity to combine capabilities and legacies from both companies to drive growth.
For convenience services operators across vending, micro markets and office coffee service, the deal means many top-selling chocolate, salty snack, bar and breakfast brands will now be managed within a single-supplier organization. While Mars has not provided specific changes, the enlarged snacking unit’s scale and range could influence future product launches, category resets, promotional planning and contract discussions in channels that rely heavily on the combined portfolio.
Mars said it will continue to invest in its snacking brands for the long term while advancing its sustainability commitments as the combined business enters the next phase under the Mars Snacking banner.
Kellanova’s common stock will be delisted and will stop trading on the New York Stock Exchange as Mars integrates the business into its private, family-owned structure.
