logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
3h 50m

Mars Inc. (the chocolate story)

Ben Gilbert And David Rosenthal
About this episode

M&M’s, Snickers, Milky Way, Double Mint, Ben’s Rice, Pedigree, Whiskas, VCA, Banfield… all the brands you know, owned by the company you know nothing about: Mars, Incorporated. And Mars itself is 100% owned and deeply intertwined with the Mars family, who are currently the second wealthiest (and perhaps first most secretive!) family in the United States. Tune in for one of the 20th century’s most incredible entrepreneurial stories across candy and pet care, and one that’s all the more incredible because it’s so little-known!

Sponsors:

WorkOS: https://bit.ly/workos25
Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentry
ServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsn

Links:

Carve Outs:



More Acquired!:

© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLC


‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

Up next
Jul 16
The Jamie Dimon Interview
We sit down with Jamie Dimon for a live conversation at Radio City Music Hall, covering the incredible journey from his 1998 firing at Citgroup (where he was widely expected to become CEO) to building the most powerful bank in the world. Today JPMorgan Chase is a juggernaut — the ... Show More
1h 6m
Jun 30
Google
We tell the story of the single greatest business ever created: Google search. From its origins as a Stanford research project called BackRub, Google became the front door to the internet. Today it’s an essential service for over half the world, and one that generates more profit ... Show More
3h 39m
Jun 2
The Steve Ballmer Interview
We sit down with Steve Ballmer, the legendary former Microsoft CEO and owner of the LA Clippers, for an epic conversation covering his 34 years at Microsoft. Steve listened to our Microsoft episodes and had some thoughts to share — and boy, did he deliver. Steve takes us point-by ... Show More
2h 59m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
The Great Cacao Shortage
Odds are this Halloween you’ll see less chocolate being handed out at houses and when you open up a candy bar. (00:44) Ron Gross and Jason Moser discuss:- Tesla’s return to growth expectations and positive returns for investors in 2024.- How Southwest and American Airlines are tr ... Show More
40m 24s
Jul 31
🐑 “MUGGs” — Man Uggs are surging. Ozempic’s inventor’s dilemma. The Fed’s Debbie Downer. Reese’s + Oreos.
Uggs’ sales are surging thanks to men… And it’s not the only brand pulling off a gender pivot.Novo Nordisk stock is down 65%... because “inventing” something doesn’t mean “winning” it.The Federal Reserve made its interest rate decision… no change. We explain the Debbie Downer dec ... Show More
20m 43s
Jun 2024
LOVO, The Chocolate Dreams Are Made Of
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Courtenay Vuchnich, co-founder of Lovo Chocolate, joins to talk about the business of plant-based milk chocolate, and some of her firm's latest breakthroughs in the industry. Hosts: Tim Stenovec and Emily Graff ... Show More
8m 3s
Oct 2024
Savory Snacks: Mars Inc.'s acquisition of Kellanova
Mars Inc., known for its chocolate products like Mars bars and M&Ms, is making a major move into the savory snack market. With a $35.9 billion deal to acquire Kellanova, Mars is positioning itself to compete with industry giants like PepsiCo. This acquisition could reshape the sa ... Show More
18m 57s
Mar 2025
👿 “Don’t Pick Duke” — March Madness investing advice. Google’s biggest acquisition. Corporate Nickname Curse.
Duke is the #1 pick to win March Madness… but that’s a lesson in dumb investing.Google is buying Wiz for $33B… And every Wiz employee is getting $588,000.Corporate Nicknames are actually a curse… Chevy, Mickey D’s, & Bloomies are bad for biz.Plus, time-poor millennials are paying ... Show More
21m 58s
Aug 2024
Space Stranded: Boeing’s Blunder Leaves Astronauts Floating | The Daily Peel
🚀 Space Drama Unfolds: Boeing’s Starliner Mishap Leaves Astronauts Stranded! In today’s episode, we dive into the high-stakes world of space exploration and corporate competition: Boeing’s Starliner capsule fails to bring astronauts home - NASA turns to SpaceX for rescue The boo ... Show More
21m 52s
Jun 26
Season 13 Finale: Founders Flip the Script
You heard the pitches. Now hear the aftermath. The Season 13 Finale brings you founder wins, surprises, pivots—and one last chance to invest. With in-depth updates on four standout companies and quick hits on the rest, this finale delivers the full story. ... Watch the finale on ... Show More
1h 9m
Mar 2025
🎟️ “Inside StubHub” — The Ticket IPO. Napster’s $200M comeback. 23&Me’s DNA drama.
StubHub is the #1 secondary ticket marketplace… but the biz totally depends on scalpers.Napster still exists (?) and just got bought for $207M… because “Say my name, say my name.”23&M is bankrupt, but 15M customers have a question… ummm, what about my DNA?Plus, the newest economi ... Show More
23 m
Oct 2024
Space tourists will be getting great space sleep in their space duvets
Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, is on track to be placed in low-Earth orbit next year. If all goes according to plan, it’ll start accepting visitors the following year. What those enterprising tourists will find is… actually a pretty nice, luxury hotel-esque ... Show More
16 m
Jul 23
💫 “Viva La Profits” — Coldplay’s record-breaking tour. Coke’s Mexican Coke. Cetaphil’s AI skin hack.
Coldplay is now the #2 highest-grossing concert tour ever… their concerts manufacture virality.Coca-Cola is launching coke w/ cane sugar instead of corn syrup… it could be “Luxury Coke”Cetaphil has given their website a makeover… because chatbots read websites, not people.As Shar ... Show More
23 m