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Mars Snacking has announced a major expansion of its global headquarters in Chicago, a move set to create more than 600 new jobs.

The announcement, made alongside JB Pritzker, underscores the company’s long-term commitment to Illinois and reflects broader momentum in the state’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.

The investment will bring Mars Snacking’s North America Regional business, Accelerator Division and Global Functions under one expanded Chicago headquarters operation. The company will also establish a new North America regional office in the Fulton Market district, designed to accommodate more than 1,000 employees.

In parallel, its Accelerator division will open a global office hub in downtown Chicago, taking over a former major food company headquarters site, further consolidating its innovation and commercialisation capabilities in one city.

The project is backed by an EDGE (Economic Development for a Growing Economy) incentive agreement, under which Mars Snacking has committed to a $100 million capital investment and the creation of 602 full-time roles.

Mars Snacking already plays a significant role in the region, supporting more than 4,000 jobs and producing over 20 globally recognised brands, including M&M’s, Snickers, Pringle and Cheez-It.

The Chicago area is also home to the company’s Global Innovation Center, a key R&D facility that supports product development and pipeline acceleration across its snacking portfolio.

Alongside the expansion, the Mars Snacking Foundation announced the launch of its Better Community Fund, which will distribute more than $3.6 million in grants in 2026 across more than 30 US projects.

The initiative builds on the company’s Community Connection grant programme, which has already delivered over $3 million to Chicago-based organisations since 2019. The funding is focused on strengthening social connections and revitalising shared community spaces, particularly in under-resourced areas.