Ferrara Candy

Ferrara Candy Company is an American confectionery manufacturer headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It operates as part of the Ferrero Group and manages a broad portfolio of candy and snack brands sold primarily in the United States, with manufacturing and distribution operations also connected to Mexico and other markets. Its products span hard candy, taffy, gummies, jelly candy, gum, mints, chocolate confectionery, fruit snacks, candy canes, and seasonal sweets. The company’s modern corporate identity emerged in 2012, when Ferrara Pan Candy Company merged with Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company. Ferrara Pan traced its roots to Salvatore Ferrara’s Chicago candy business, established in 1908 after his immigration from Italy. The original operation became known for panned candies, including sugar-coated almonds and other sweets produced in revolving candy pans. Farley’s & Sathers brought together a different collection of established confectionery businesses and brands, including Brach’s, Chuckles, Jujyfruits, and Now and Later. The merger combined Ferrara’s Chicago manufacturing heritage and recognizable hard-candy brands with Farley’s & Sathers’ larger portfolio of legacy American candy labels. Ferrara’s brand portfolio includes Lemonheads, Atomic Fireballs, Red Hots, Boston Baked Beans, Nerds, Laffy Taffy, Trolli, Brach’s, Jelly Belly, Now and Later, Chuckles, Jujyfruits, Black Forest, Bobs, Super Bubble, Rain-Blo, Jaw Busters, and other products. The portfolio is notable for products with strong nostalgic associations, distinctive shapes or flavors, seasonal relevance, and broad distribution through grocery, convenience, mass retail, drug, specialty, and e-commerce channels. Some brands are long-established American candy names, while others entered Ferrara’s portfolio through acquisitions or corporate brand transfers. Ferrero announced its acquisition of Ferrara in 2017, and the transaction was completed that December. In 2018, Ferrero acquired Nestlé’s U.S. confectionery business for $2.8 billion and assigned Ferrara responsibility for most of the acquired American portfolio. This expanded Ferrara’s role in the U.S. candy market and added brands such as Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth, Raisinets, Nips, Laffy Taffy, Spree, and Everlasting Gobstopper to its U.S. operating responsibilities. Kit Kat and Rolo remained under a separate licensing arrangement with Hershey in the United States. Ferrara announced in 2019 that it would move its world headquarters to Chicago. The company has described a manufacturing network of seven plants in the United States and Mexico, supported by distribution centers in the United States. Its scale is particularly significant in seasonal and novelty confectionery: the company has reported major positions in mellowcremes, candy canes, conversation hearts, jelly beans, and gummy candy. Ferrara has also expanded through acquisitions, including Dori Alimentos and Jelly Belly Candy Company in 2023, while continuing to develop high-growth products such as Nerds Gummy Clusters. In 2024 it discontinued Fruit Stripe gum, illustrating the portfolio-management decisions required in a mature candy business. Ferrara remains an active operating company within Ferrero’s global confectionery structure.

Ferrara Candy Company’s history combines the development of a Chicago candy maker with the consolidation of several established American confectionery businesses. Its earliest roots lie in the Ferrara family’s Chicago operation. Salvatore Ferrara emigrated from Nola, Italy, to New York in 1900 and later opened a bakery at 772 West Taylor Street in Chicago in 1908 with his brother-in-law Salvatore “Sal” Lezza. The business sold candy-coated almonds, commonly known as confetti or Jordan almonds, which were especially associated with Italian weddings. Lezza had learned the panning technique in Italy and passed that knowledge to Ferrara. As the bakery and candy activities developed, the relatives separated their operations: Lezza concentrated on the bakery, while Ferrara built the candy business. Ferrara later worked with relatives Salvatore Buffardi and Anello Pagano to construct a two-story facility at 2200 West Taylor Street. Its revolving candy kettles occupied the upper floor, while finished candy moved to shipping below. This production tradition became the foundation of Ferrara Pan Candy Company and its later portfolio of panned and hard candies. The wider portfolio that eventually joined Ferrara developed through numerous businesses. Brach’s began producing candy in Chicago in the early twentieth century, while other contributors included Farley Candy, Sathers Candy, Henry Heide, Bobs Candies, Trolli, and businesses connected to Kraft and Favorite Brands International. Baby Ruth was introduced in 1921, and brands such as Atomic Fireballs, Lemonheads, Red Hots, Nerds, and Trolli became important parts of the American candy landscape across later decades. The Farley’s & Sathers organization assembled many of these legacy labels through acquisitions during the 1990s and 2000s. Catterton Partners formed Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company in 2002 from several confectionery assets, including Farley Foods, Sathers Candy, Kraft taffy operations, Chuckles, and selected Henry Heide brands. It subsequently acquired the U.S. Trolli business and Bobs Candies, followed by Brach’s in 2007. In 2012, Catterton arranged the combination of Farley’s & Sathers with Ferrara Pan Candy Company. Although Ferrara Pan was smaller than Farley’s & Sathers, the new enterprise adopted the Ferrara name and was led initially by Salvatore Ferrara II. The 2012 merger created a company with a diverse portfolio ranging from hard candy and panned sweets to taffy, gummies, jelly candy, gum, and seasonal products. Ferrara operated manufacturing facilities in the United States and Mexico and distribution centers across the United States. It became particularly prominent in categories such as mellowcremes, candy canes, conversation hearts, jelly beans, and gummy candy. Ferrero announced its acquisition of Ferrara in November 2017, completing the transaction in December of that year. The deal made Ferrara part of one of the world’s major confectionery groups while preserving Ferrara as an operating company focused on the U.S. market. In 2018 Ferrero purchased Nestlé’s U.S. candy business for $2.8 billion. Ferrara assumed responsibility for most of those acquired brands in the United States, including Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth, Raisinets, Nips, Spree, Everlasting Gobstopper, and other products. Kit Kat and Rolo were excluded from Ferrara’s operating responsibility because they remained licensed to Hershey in the United States. Ferrara announced a return of its world headquarters to Chicago in 2019, reinforcing the company’s connection to the city where its founding candy business began. The company later expanded through acquisitions, including Dori Alimentos and Jelly Belly Candy Company in 2023. Product development has included extensions such as Nerds Gummy Clusters, which became a major growth product, while portfolio rationalization led to the discontinuation of Fruit Stripe gum in 2024. Ferrara’s later reported acquisition of Carambar & Co in 2025 further broadened its confectionery holdings. Today, Ferrara operates as a Ferrero Group company with a large U.S.-focused portfolio and manufacturing footprint spanning the United States and Mexico.

• 2024

  Fruit Stripe discontinued

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Ferrara ended production of the long-running Fruit Stripe gum brand.

• 2023

  Dori Alimentos and Jelly Belly acquisitions

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Ferrara expanded through acquisitions of Dori Alimentos and Jelly Belly Candy Company.

• 2018

  Nestlé U.S. candy portfolio transferred to Ferrara

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Ferrara assumed U.S. responsibility for most of the candy brands acquired by Ferrero from Nestlé.

• 2017

  Ferrero acquisition completed

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Ferrara became part of the Ferrero Group.

• 2012

  Ferrara Candy Company created

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Ferrara Pan Candy Company and Farley’s & Sathers merged under the Ferrara Candy Company name.

• 2002

  Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company formed

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Catterton assembled several legacy confectionery businesses and brands into Farley’s & Sathers.

• 1962

  Lemonheads introduced

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Ferrara introduced the lemon-flavored candy later extended into multiple fruit and chewy varieties.

• 1954

  Atomic Fireballs introduced

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Nello Ferrara developed the cinnamon-flavored, layered hard candy that became one of Ferrara’s signature products.

• 1908

  Ferrara candy business established in Chicago

  [1]Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Salvatore Ferrara opened a bakery and candy operation on West Taylor Street, beginning the business lineage that led to Ferrara Pan Candy Company.

mid-range

• Hard candy · 1962

  Lemonheads

  A round lemon-flavored candy introduced in 1962. The classic product combines a sweet outer coating, sour layer, and hard candy center. The brand has been extended into fruit variations such as Appleheads and Grapeheads, as well as chewy formats.

• Cinnamon hard candy · 1954

  Atomic Fireballs

  A layered, jawbreaker-style hard candy with a strong cinnamon flavor and red exterior. Created by Nello Ferrara in 1954, it is one of the company’s best-known legacy products.

• Cinnamon candy

  Red Hots

  Small red cinnamon-flavored candies associated with Ferrara Pan’s historical portfolio. The product is sold as a spicy, intensely flavored confectionery suitable for snacking and baking applications.

• Crunchy small candy · 1983

  Nerds

  Small irregularly shaped, crunchy candies commonly sold in boxes containing separate flavor compartments. The brand has expanded into formats including Rainbow Nerds and Nerds Gummy Clusters.

• Gummy candy · 2020

  Nerds Gummy Clusters

  A gummy-centered extension coated with the crunchy candy associated with Nerds. Introduced in 2020, it became a major growth product for the Nerds franchise and broadened the brand beyond its traditional small hard candies.

• Taffy

  Laffy Taffy

  Individually wrapped rectangular pieces of chewy taffy sold in fruit flavors including banana, strawberry, sour apple, cherry, and grape. Wrapper jokes are a defining part of the brand’s identity.

• Seasonal and traditional candy · 1904

  Brach’s

  A legacy American candy brand known for candy corn, Conversation Hearts, Jelly Bird Eggs, Star Brite Mints, Bridge Mix, malted milk balls, peanuts, and other seasonal or traditional sweets.

• Gummy candy · 1980

  Trolli

  A gummy candy brand known for brightly colored, sour-and-sweet products in unusual shapes. Its U.S. portfolio includes gummy worms, fruit forms, and other novelty formats.

• Jelly beans

  Jelly Belly

  A gourmet jelly bean brand offering a wide range of flavors and colors. Ferrara added Jelly Belly Candy Company to its portfolio through a 2023 acquisition.

• Chewy candy

  Now and Later

  Bite-sized fruit-flavored taffy squares sold in multiple formats and varieties, including Original, Chewy, and Splits. The brand is associated with individually portioned pieces packaged in bars or jars.

• Jelly candy

  Jujyfruits

  Small chewy fruit-shaped candies traditionally offered in flavors such as raspberry, orange, lemon, lime, and anise. Related Jujubes products use a firmer texture and older-style flavor profile.

• Jelly candy

  Chuckles

  Soft jelly candies covered in sugar and traditionally sold in five colors and flavors. The brand has been offered in additional varieties and seasonal selections.

• Fruit snacks and gummies

  Black Forest

  A fruit-snack and gummy brand that includes gummy bears, gummy worms, and other shapes. It occupies the fruit-snack and family-oriented portion of Ferrara’s portfolio.

• Chocolate confectionery

  Butterfinger

  A chocolate-coated candy bar with a crisp, layered peanut-butter center. Ferrara assumed U.S. operating responsibility for the brand after Ferrero acquired Nestlé’s U.S. candy business in 2018.

• Chocolate confectionery · 1921

  Baby Ruth

  A chocolate-coated bar associated with peanuts, caramel, and nougat. It joined Ferrara’s U.S. operating portfolio through the transfer of Nestlé’s American confectionery brands to Ferrero and Ferrara.

• Chewing gum · 1960

  Fruit Stripe

  A fruit-flavored chewing gum brand known for colorful packaging and striped pieces. Ferrara discontinued the product in 2024 after a long presence in the U.S. gum market.

• Mints and candy canes · 1919

  Bobs Candies

  A traditional confectionery line including soft mints, mint sticks, candy canes, and related mint products. The business became part of the Farley’s & Sathers portfolio before the 2012 Ferrara merger.

• Bubble gum · 1946

  Super Bubble

  Individually wrapped bubble gum offered in flavors including original, grape, apple, and watermelon. It is one of the legacy gum brands associated with Ferrara’s broader candy portfolio.

• Sugar-coated candy

  Boston Baked Beans

  Sugar-coated peanut candy with a distinctive red coating. It is part of Ferrara’s traditional hard and panned candy portfolio.

• 2024

  Fruit Stripe discontinuationOther

  Background

  Ferrara reviewed its mature gum portfolio and the ongoing viability of the long-running Fruit Stripe product.

  Action taken

  The company discontinued Fruit Stripe gum.

  Aftermath

  Fruit Stripe left Ferrara’s active product portfolio, while the company continued to focus on other candy, gum, and snack brands.

  Source

• 2023

  Acquisition of Dori Alimentos and Jelly Belly Candy CompanyM&A

  Background

  Ferrara sought to expand its confectionery portfolio through additional brand and business acquisitions.

  Action taken

  Ferrara acquired Dori Alimentos and Jelly Belly Candy Company.

  Aftermath

  The transactions added further candy and snack capabilities, including the Jelly Belly gourmet jelly bean brand.

  Source

• 2019

  World headquarters relocation to ChicagoStrategy

  Background

  Ferrara’s corporate heritage began in Chicago, while the company operated as part of the expanding Ferrero confectionery group.

  Action taken

  Ferrara announced that it would move its world headquarters to Chicago.

  Aftermath

  The relocation reinforced the company’s historical connection to Chicago and its role as a major local employer.

  Source

• 2018

  Integration of Nestlé’s U.S. candy brandsM&A

  Background

  Ferrero acquired Nestlé’s U.S. confectionery business, creating a need to assign operating responsibility for the acquired brands.

  Action taken

  Ferrara took responsibility for most of the acquired U.S. candy portfolio, including Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth, Raisinets, Spree, and Everlasting Gobstopper.

  Aftermath

  The move significantly expanded Ferrara’s brand portfolio and role in the U.S. candy market.

  Acquisition price paid by Ferrero for Nestlé’s U.S. candy business. 2800000000 (2018)

  Source

• 2017

  Ferrero acquisition of FerraraM&A

  Background

  Ferrara was an established U.S. confectionery company with a broad collection of legacy brands and manufacturing capabilities.

  Action taken

  Ferrero announced and completed the acquisition of Ferrara, bringing the company into the Ferrero Group.

  Aftermath

  Ferrara continued as a major U.S. operating company within Ferrero’s global confectionery structure.

  Source

1. 1Ferrara Candy Companyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ferrara Candy Company official websiteferrarausa.com