: Unlike one-off candy bar purchases, veterinary services provide steady, recession-resistant income as owners increasingly view pets as family. A Growing "Pet-opoly"?
: The Camp Bow Wow dog day care and boarding franchises.
The acquisition solidified Mars as the dominant player in the veterinary space, combining VCA with its existing brands, and BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital . Mars, Incorporated to Acquire VCA Inc.
The Sweet Reality of a Pet-Powered Empire Mars, Incorporated—the family-owned giant synonymous with M&M's and Snickers—completed its landmark acquisition of in 2017 for approximately $9.1 billion , including debt. This move didn't just add roughly 800 animal hospitals to its roster; it signaled a fundamental shift for the candy maker, effectively making pet care its largest and most profitable business segment. The Strategy: From Confectionery to Care
: Nearly 800 animal hospitals and 60 diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. and Canada.
While Mars has been in the pet industry since 1935, the VCA deal was a "bet-the-farm" moment to diversify away from slowing packaged food sales. By acquiring VCA, Mars gained:
: Unlike one-off candy bar purchases, veterinary services provide steady, recession-resistant income as owners increasingly view pets as family. A Growing "Pet-opoly"?
: The Camp Bow Wow dog day care and boarding franchises. mars buys vca
The acquisition solidified Mars as the dominant player in the veterinary space, combining VCA with its existing brands, and BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital . Mars, Incorporated to Acquire VCA Inc. : Unlike one-off candy bar purchases, veterinary services
The Sweet Reality of a Pet-Powered Empire Mars, Incorporated—the family-owned giant synonymous with M&M's and Snickers—completed its landmark acquisition of in 2017 for approximately $9.1 billion , including debt. This move didn't just add roughly 800 animal hospitals to its roster; it signaled a fundamental shift for the candy maker, effectively making pet care its largest and most profitable business segment. The Strategy: From Confectionery to Care The acquisition solidified Mars as the dominant player
: Nearly 800 animal hospitals and 60 diagnostic laboratories across the U.S. and Canada.
While Mars has been in the pet industry since 1935, the VCA deal was a "bet-the-farm" moment to diversify away from slowing packaged food sales. By acquiring VCA, Mars gained: