Kristina Roberts
It looks like one of the biggest deals in the snack world is almost ready to happen. Mars, the company loved for its M&M’s and Snickers chocolates, is getting closer to taking over Kellanova, the maker of Pringles, Pop-Tarts, and Kellogg’s cereals. This $36 billion agreement has caught the attention of the global business world because it could create one of the largest snack and food companies ever seen.
According to people who know about the deal, it is now expected to be approved by European regulators without any special conditions. This is a major step forward because, earlier this year, there were worries that such a big merger could lead to higher prices or reduce competition in the market. But after reviewing all the details, officials found no strong reason to block or change the deal.
Mars is already one of the world’s biggest food companies. It owns well-known chocolate brands like M&M’s, Snickers, and Mars bars, as well as pet food names like Pedigree and Whiskas. Kellanova, on the other hand, is famous for its snack and breakfast food brands, including Pringles, Pop-Tarts, Cheez-It, and Kellogg’s cereals. If this deal goes through, these two powerhouses will come together under one roof, combining sweet treats, salty snacks, and pet food into a single global empire.
This merger has already received the green light from the United States without any restrictions. That means American regulators have decided that the deal will not hurt competition or unfairly raise prices. Now, with European approval expected soon, Mars is very close to completing this huge business move.
In June, the European Commission, which checks that big companies do not become too powerful, had warned that the deal might give Mars too much control over snack prices or give it an advantage when negotiating with supermarkets. But after months of investigation, the commission found that there was not enough evidence to prove these fears. As a result, they decided not to ask Mars or Kellanova to make any changes to the deal.
The European Commission did not officially comment on this latest decision, and neither did Mars or Kellanova. But people close to the situation say that the final approval is expected by December 19. Once that happens, the deal will be one step away from becoming complete.
When the two companies come together, they will control around 12% of the U.S. snack and candy market, according to data from NielsenIQ. That means one out of every ten snack products sold in the U.S. could come from this new combined company.
To understand how big this is, imagine walking into a supermarket. You might see Mars chocolate bars on one shelf, Pringles on another, and Kellogg’s cereals in another aisle. After this deal, all of those products would belong to the same company. This gives Mars a strong position in the global food business — from morning breakfast to evening snacks.
The idea behind this merger is not just to make Mars bigger, but also to help it expand into new areas. Mars has always been known for its sweets and pet food, while Kellanova has focused more on snacks and breakfast foods. By joining together, they can share resources, ideas, and distribution networks to reach more customers around the world.
Experts say that this deal could help both companies face growing competition from new snack brands and healthier food options. In recent years, people have started choosing snacks with less sugar and salt, and more natural ingredients. Big food companies like Mars and Kellanova are now trying to adapt to these changing tastes. By working together, they may have a better chance to create new products that appeal to modern consumers.
There’s also a business advantage. Combining two large companies usually helps reduce costs because they can share factories, transport systems, and marketing efforts. That could make it easier for Mars and Kellanova to keep prices steady while increasing profits.
However, not everyone is completely relaxed about such large mergers. Some market watchers say that when big companies grow even bigger, smaller snack makers can find it hard to compete. This is why authorities always review big deals carefully before allowing them. In this case, though, regulators seem to believe that there are still enough competitors in the snack market — like Mondelez (maker of Oreo and Cadbury), Nestlé, and PepsiCo — to keep the industry balanced.
The timing of this deal is also interesting. In the last few years, the global food industry has seen several big takeovers and mergers. Companies are trying to become stronger as they face rising costs, changing diets, and the challenge of staying relevant in the age of online grocery shopping. For Mars, buying Kellanova could be a way to secure its place as a long-term leader in the snack business.
As the final approval date nears, the business world is watching closely. If the deal goes through smoothly, Mars will not just be known for its colorful chocolates and pet care products anymore. It will also become a major player in the world of breakfast and salty snacks.
This merger could also inspire other food companies to look for partnerships or takeovers. When one major player grows, others often try to follow to stay competitive. The Mars-Kellanova deal might be the start of a new wave of mergers in the global snack industry.
For now, both companies are staying quiet and focused on completing the final steps. By December, the picture should be clear — and if all goes as expected, Mars will soon be the proud owner of some of the world’s favorite snack and cereal brands.
In the end, what started as a business deal could reshape how millions of people enjoy their daily treats. From a box of Kellogg’s cornflakes at breakfast to a packet of M&M’s after lunch or a tube of Pringles during a movie night — all of it could soon come from one giant family of brands.
