KIND Bars are produced by KIND Snacks, a private healthy snack company headquartered in New York City, United States. The brand is widely known for its nut-based snack bars, clean-label ingredients, and “better-for-you” positioning in the global snack market.
KIND was founded in 2004 by Daniel Lubetzky, who built the company with a mission centered on transparency, kindness, and healthier snacking choices. Over the years, KIND expanded rapidly across grocery stores, convenience outlets, and international markets.
Ownership Status of KIND Bars
There is no single individual owner of KIND Bars today. KIND Snacks is fully owned by Mars, Incorporated, one of the world’s largest privately held food companies. Mars completed its full acquisition of KIND in 2023, following an initial majority stake purchase in 2020.
Because Mars, Incorporated is a privately held company, ownership details are not publicly traded and are controlled by the Mars (Jacobs) family.
Ownership Summary
| Owner | Ownership Type | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mars, Incorporated | 100% (Private) | 2023 | Acquired remaining stake after holding majority control since 2020 |
Key Ownership Highlights
KIND’s acquisition by Mars marked a major shift in the brand’s growth strategy:
- Mars allowed KIND to operate independently, maintaining its brand identity and leadership.
- The acquisition gave KIND access to global distribution, R&D, and supply-chain scale.
- Founder Daniel Lubetzky remained involved during the transition, supporting long-term brand values and innovation.
Mars positioned KIND as part of its better-for-you snacks portfolio, alongside other nutrition-focused brands.
Recent Developments in Ownership
In 2023, Mars, Incorporated announced that it had acquired the remaining shares of KIND, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. This followed the 2020 majority investment, which had already placed operational control with Mars.
No further ownership changes have been publicly disclosed since the full acquisition.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of KIND Bars?
KIND Bars are fully owned by Mars, Incorporated, a privately held global food company.
2. Is KIND Bars publicly traded or privately owned?
KIND is privately owned and is not listed on any stock exchange.
3. Who founded KIND Bars?
KIND was founded by Daniel Lubetzky in 2004.
4. When did Mars acquire KIND?
Mars purchased a majority stake in 2020 and completed a full acquisition in 2023.
KIND Bars is no longer founder-owned or independently held. As of today, the brand is 100% owned by Mars, Incorporated, operating as a private subsidiary while continuing to focus on healthier snacking and clean ingredients.