Why was the original Milky Way candy bar named after the malted milkshake beverage?
The name was chosen to capitalize on the popularity of the established, wholesome flavor of the malted milkshake.
The original naming strategy for the Milky Way bar was a calculated marketing move designed to leverage the existing popularity and perceived wholesomeness associated with the malted milkshake, often called a 'malt,' which was highly favored at soda fountains in the 1920s. Frank C. Mars claimed the bar contained more malted milk than a typical double malted milk drink. This connection immediately tied the new confection to a recognizable and well-liked flavor trend. Ironically, this defining ingredient, malted milk, is entirely absent from the standard American Milky Way bar today, rendering the name a historical reference point rather than a description of current composition.
