Mars Snacking plans to close its U.S. headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, by the end of 2027 as the Snickers and Pringles maker consolidates more of its operations to Chicago.
The snacks, candy and gum maker filed a WARN notice in New Jersey stating that it will eliminate 307 jobs at its Newark headquarters by Oct. 16 of this year. Mars transitioned its U.S. headquarters to New Jersey in 2020 while maintaining its global headquarters in Chicago.
The move to close its Newark office comes as Mars solidifies its presence in the Windy City. Mars said in March it planned to spend $100 million to expand its headquarters in Chicago, furthering the food manufacturer’s presence in snacking after it purchased Pringles and Rice Krispies Treats maker Kellanova. Mars Wrigley changed its name to Mars Snacking after the acquisition.
“This decision is part of our broader strategy to position Mars Snacking for long-term growth and strengthen our operations in key locations across North America,” the company said in a statement. “We remain focused on serving our customers and consumers without disruption during this transition.”
Mars previously said Chicago would continue to serve as a central location for its snacking operations while allowing the company to accelerate innovation and support long-term growth. The expansion in Chicago, where more than 20 of its brands are produced, was expected to create 600 new jobs.
The company said it will continue to invest in its New Jersey operations, including its ongoing innovation and manufacturing work in Hackettstown.
