Mr Tom has one of the more distinctive advertising histories of any British sweet bar — built around the tagline "a man's gotta chew what a man's gotta chew" — and a name change that most people who grew up eating it never noticed happened.
Seventy years on the shelf, under two names
The bar has been sold continuously since 1955, which makes it one of the longer-running names in British confectionery. For most of that time it went by a different name, before being rebranded as Mr Tom in 1993 — the recipe and format stayed the same, only the name on the wrapper changed.
Peanuts, caramel, and a cheeky slogan
Unlike a chocolate bar built around a soft filling, Mr Tom is a dense combination of roasted peanuts set in firm caramel, with a chew that takes some real effort — which is exactly what the advertising leaned into. It was pitched as a bar for people who wanted something more substantial than a standard chocolate bar, with a slogan playful enough to stick in people's heads for decades.
Who makes it today
Ownership of the bar has moved around British confectionery's usual web of mergers. It sat within the Trebor Bassett stable for a stretch, before production passed to Hosta Meltis, part of the Swiss group Hosta International, which continues to make it. It's a good example of how a single, recognisable bar can survive multiple changes of corporate ownership without changing much on the shelf.
You'll find it alongside other nostalgic favourites in our retro sweets collection.
Frequently asked questions
Was Mr Tom always called Mr Tom?
No — it was sold under an earlier name from 1955 before being rebranded as Mr Tom in 1993.
What's in a Mr Tom bar?
Roasted peanuts set in firm caramel, giving it a dense, chewy texture.
Who makes Mr Tom now?
Hosta Meltis, part of the Swiss group Hosta International, after a period within the Trebor Bassett stable.