Global confectionery giant Mars Wrigley submitted a WARN notice with the state of New Jersey on Friday, revealing plans to eliminate 307 corporate jobs in Newark by mid-October as it relocates its U.S. headquarters to Chicago. The decision officially marks the end of the candy maker’s corporate footprint in Newark as part of a broader consolidation strategy aimed at long-term operational growth.
Consolidating Operations in Chicago’s Food Hub
The move follows a massive $100 million expansion of Mars Wrigley’s global headquarters facility in Chicago. By shifting corporate functions to Illinois, the maker of Snickers, M&M’s, Twix, and Skittles aims to centralize its North American operations in a single key location.
Company officials confirmed that while the Newark Market Hub will be completely sunset by December 2027, Mars Wrigley will offer relocation opportunities and support packages to eligible affected employees. Meanwhile, the company’s manufacturing operations in Hackettstown, New Jersey, will remain fully operational, keeping production lines active in the state.
"Following a comprehensive review of our Mars Snacking North American office footprint, we will be sunsetting the Newark Market Hub for Mars Snacking Associates by December 2027," Mars stated. "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."
Strategic Mergers and Corporate Synergies
The consolidation aligns with Mars Incorporated’s aggressive growth and acquisition trajectory over recent years. After acquiring Chicago-based chewing gum giant Wrigley in 2008, Mars further expanded its Midwest footprint with the recent acquisition of Kellanova, the Chicago-headquartered snack business spun off from Kellogg’s that produces Pringles and Cheez-It.
By bringing corporate leadership and brand management closer to its newly acquired snack divisions, Mars aims to streamline administrative overhead and foster closer collaboration across its global brand portfolio. This centralized model reflects a wider trend among multinational consumer packaged goods companies seeking maximum operational efficiency.
New Jersey Faces Growing Corporate Exodus
The loss of Mars Wrigley’s corporate office has drawn sharp criticism from regional business leaders, who view the move as another troubling indicator of New Jersey’s challenging economic environment. The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) expressed deep concern over the ongoing departure of major job creators.
"On a summer Friday when people should be getting excited about the weekend ahead, we are instead hit with the news of another unfortunate exodus of a job creator in New Jersey," said NJBIA CEO Michele Siekerka. "We need to wrap our arms around this and do something now that sends a message to our largest employers that things are going to change so we can stop this disturbing trend."
State tracking data highlights the depth of the trend, with New Jersey recording more than 9,700 job losses disclosed through state WARN notices this year alone. The state has faced several high-profile corporate relocations recently, including Samsung’s announcement in June that it will move its Englewood Cliffs corporate headquarters to Texas.
Additionally, shareholders of energy giant ExxonMobil recently voted to transfer the company’s state of incorporation from New Jersey—where it had been legally domiciled for 144 years since its origin as Standard Oil—to Texas, further compounding concerns among state business advocates.
Economic Implications and Future Outlook
For the city of Newark, the departure of Mars Wrigley represents a notable blow to its downtown commercial sector and local tax base. Corporate real estate markets in northern New Jersey face continuing headwinds as major employers evaluate their real estate footprints in favor of states offering centralized hubs or lower corporate tax burdens.
Conversely, Chicago continues to solidify its reputation as the premier corporate capital for the North American food and beverage industry. The influx of corporate roles from Mars Wrigley strengthens Illinois’s regional economy, complementing existing food manufacturing and agricultural management infrastructure across the Midwest.
Industry analysts will be closely monitoring how state lawmakers in Trenton respond to pressure from business groups demanding tax and policy reforms to stem future corporate departures. Observers will also watch whether Mars Inc. completes further organizational integration following its Kellanova acquisition, potentially leading to additional footprint adjustments across North America.
