M&M's Chocolate Candies

M&M's are among the world's most recognizable chocolate snacks, characterized by their colorful candy shells and the iconic lowercase 'm' printed on each piece. The brand was founded in 1941 by Forrest Mars Sr., who was inspired by a similar sugar-coated candy used by soldiers during the Spanish Civil War to prevent chocolate from melting in warm climates.

The name 'M&M' stands for the two founders of the original venture: Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, the son of the president of the Hershey Chocolate Company. This partnership was strategic, as it allowed Mars to secure a steady supply of chocolate during wartime rationing. Initially sold exclusively to the U.S. military during World War II, the candies were released to the general public in 1946 and soon became a global phenomenon.

Today, M&M's are produced in several high-tech facilities worldwide. In the United States, primary manufacturing takes place in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and Cleveland, Tennessee. Globally, the brand operates numerous factories to serve local markets across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The brand is owned by Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned multinational giant headquartered in the United States.