Masterfoods USA manufactures and markets confectionery/snack food, pet care and food products. It is a subsidiary of Mars, the candy corporation, all started with Frank Mars back in 1911 when he and his wife, Ethel, started making and selling a variety of butter-cream candies from the kitchen of their home in Tacoma, Wash. In 1920, the Milky Way/Mars bar was created. Together with other world famous brands, such as Snickers, it was the foundation of what was to become the company s global snack food business. The company s other candy products include M&Ms and Twix bars, while Mars also manufactures a variety of pet care items, such as Pedigree, Whiskas, Cesar and Sheba dog and cat food and Uncle Ben s brand dinners. The company has a direct presence in more than 60 countries, and its products are sold in nearly 100 countries total. Mars maintains its corporate headquarters in McLean, Va. Masterfoods USA maintains a location in Columbia, S.C.