RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NPR's business news starts with a merger of chocolate and chewing gum.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: The chocolate candy maker Mars plans to buy the chewing gum maker Wrigley for more than $23 billion. The deal will bring many of the most famous names in candy under one corporate roof. Mars makes M&M's, Snickers and Twix, while Wrigley makes Juicy Fruit and Doublemint gum, Life Savers and Altoids.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: The deal will end Wrigley's 117-year history as an independent, family-owned company. It will help Mars extend its international reach. Wrigley already makes most of its money in overseas markets. Mars is getting some back from Warren Buffet. Buffet's company, Berkshire Hathaway, will provide funding and buy a stake in Wrigley.
The chocolate candy company Mars plans to buy the gum company Wrigley for nearly $23 billion. The deal will bring many of the most famous names in candy under one corporate roof, and it'll end Wrigley's 117-year history as an independent family-owned company.