Global food and confectionery manufacturer Mars has announced plans to invest an estimated $1.4 billion in its US manufacturing and operations during 2027, marking the company’s largest single-year investment commitment to date.
The announcement, made on 10 November 2026, builds on more than $9 billion invested in Mars’ domestic operations since 2017, supporting manufacturing expansion, product innovation and improvements across its supply chain.
The investment will support the company’s portfolio of snacking, food and pet care brands, which includes M&M’s, Snickers, Ben’s Original, Cheez-It and Pringles, alongside its veterinary services businesses.
Claus Aagaard, Chief Financial Officer of Mars, said the company’s commitment to American manufacturing “has never been stronger”.
According to Aagaard, 94% of Mars products sold in the United States are manufactured domestically, reflecting the company’s established production network.
Expanding food manufacturing capacity
Alongside the announcement, Mars highlighted several manufacturing investments undertaken during 2026, including a $60 million expansion of its Trü Frü operations in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The investment has funded two dedicated production lines for the frozen fruit snack brand within a $240 million factory originally opened in 2025 to manufacture Nature’s Bakery products.
The site has the capacity to produce more than one billion Nature’s Bakery snack bars annually and will now be capable of producing 17 million Trü Frü frozen products each year.
Elsewhere, Mars is celebrating 50 years of production at its Waco facility in Texas, where it has invested $165 million since 2024.
The factory manufactures more than 56 billion pieces of Snickers, Starburst and Skittles confectionery annually, with recent investments focused on energy efficiency, operational improvements and product development.
The site has also supported the introduction of new products, including Snickers Xtreme Almond and Starburst Sour innovations.
Further investment across US operations
Mars has also invested $49 million in its wet pet food facility in Columbus, Ohio, introducing new mixing and filling technology to support domestic production of Temptations Lickable Treats.
The investment will provide capacity to manufacture more than 400 million pouches annually.
Looking ahead to 2027, the company’s investment programme also includes more than $34 million for four new veterinary hospitals across Maryland, Texas and North Carolina, potentially creating up to 195 jobs.
Mars currently employs around 80,000 people in the United States across its manufacturing, research, office and veterinary operations.
Following its acquisition of Kellanova, which added 15 facilities to the business over the past year, Mars intends to continue modernising its expanded manufacturing network.
The planned $1.4 billion commitment represents a further investment in production capacity, operational capabilities and the company’s long-term presence in the US market.
