It dates back to the 18th century, when mutton pies
called Kit-Kats were served at the political Kit-Cat Club. The
origins of today’s product go back to 1935, when a York based candy
maker, Rowntree’s trademarked 'Kit Kat'. The Kit Cat, as it was
called, was produced for a while, before being discontinued.
Eventually, it relaunched and was relabeled as “Rowntree’s Chocolate
Crisp” before being renamed to its modern title.
In the 1940’s Kit Kat was exported to Canada, South Africa,
Australia, and New Zealand. In the 1970s, a new distribution factory
was built in Germany to meet European demand and handle
distribution. Agreements were established for Hershey to distribute
in the US, and Fujiya to distribute in Japan. In 1988, Nestlé
purchased Rowntree’s and Kit Kat with it. Nestlé has global control
over the brand, except in North America, where Hershey has licensing
rights to Kit Kat.