We reached out to Pat Egan, president and CEO of See's Candies, to learn more about the brand's celebration and also find out what this year's new flavor will be.

Liz Parker Kuhn: This is the fourth year of Lollypalooza for See’s Candies—how did the tradition get started, in 2023?  

Pat Egan: Lollypops have been a beloved part of See’s for generations, so we wanted to create a special moment to celebrate one of our most iconic confections and the customers who have made them a tradition.  

We knew customers loved our classic year-round favorites, but we also heard how much they looked forward to our seasonal flavors and wished they had more opportunities to enjoy the whole squad. That’s really how Lollypalooza was born. We have celebrated National Lollypop Day for many years, and we thought—why not dedicate the month leading up to National Lollypop Day to celebrating Lollypops by bringing all our flavors together at one time? Our team loved the idea, and so we set out in 2022 to launch this celebration of all things Lolly in 2023.  

From the beginning, Lollypalooza has also been about listening to our customers, which is always front in our mind. In fact, feedback from our customers has inspired new flavors like the addition of our Lemonade Lollypop in 2024.   

The response to Lollypalooza has been wonderful year after year, and we love continuing to add a little surprise and excitement. This year, we are once again introducing a new Lollypop flavor on July 20 as part of the celebration and continuing to Bring Joy... one Lollypop at a time.  

LPK: See’s Lollypops were first introduced in the 1940s. How has the brand continued to keep the lineup fresh over the decades while honoring fan-favorite classics? Are there any original flavors still available today, or have any limited-time flavors become  
permanent additions due to customer demand?  

PE: Over the years, our Lollypop assortment has evolved while staying true to the flavors and quality that customers have come to expect from See’s. After introducing our signature Lollypops, demand continued to grow, and in 1998 we opened a dedicated Lollypop production facility in Burlingame, CA to support the popularity of these treats.  

That popularity has led to some pretty fun moments along the way. In 2012, we took our Chocolate Lollypop and created the World’s Largest Lollypop, officially recognized by Guinness World Records. It weighed more than 7,000 pounds, the equivalent of approximately 145,000 regular See’s Lollypops!  

Some of our earliest flavors, including Butterscotch and Chocolate, remain customer favorites today. Over time, flavors like Vanilla and Café Latte became so popular we decided to offer them year-round. It’s a great example of how we balance honoring the classics our customers love with creating opportunities for new favorites.  

We keep our product line exciting by finding the right balance between tradition and innovation. We love taking flavors people already know and enjoy yet reimagining them as a Lollypop, giving customers a new way to experience familiar tastes.  

LPK: See’s LTO Lollypalooza box features 30 Lollypops showcasing 14 of See’s year-round and seasonal flavors. How do you choose which flavors make the cut each year, and does the assortment change year after year, or is it always the same 14 flavors?  

PE: Rather than choosing a select group of flavors, Lollypalooza is designed to bring our full Lollypop squad together. The assortment can vary slightly as our Lollypop flavors evolve, but the goal remains the same: to include every Lollypop flavor available as part of the Lollypalooza celebration.  

And, it is special that this is the only time all year when we offer all of our varieties of Lollypops and Little Pops.  

LPK: Lollypalooza will culminate with the introduction of a new Lollypop flavor on July 20. Can you share any hints about what the new flavor will be, and how does See’s decide on a new flavor each year? Is there a taste-testing or R&D process involved? 

PE: We’re excited to finally share this year’s new Lollypop flavor, Chocolate Mint! Creating a new Lollypop is a thoughtful process that starts well before we’re ready to introduce it to customers. Our team spends a lot of time exploring flavors, sourcing quality ingredients, and testing different ideas to make sure a new addition meets the same standards customers expect from See’s.  

There are many conversations and tastings along the way, and we’re always looking for the right balance between a flavor that feels new and exciting while still feeling like it belongs in the See’s family. By the time we introduce a new Lollypop, there’s been a lot of care and excitement behind it, and we can’t wait for customers to try it.  

LPK: What is your favorite See’s Lollypop flavor to enjoy?  

PE: For me, it's the Cinnamon. I grew up not far from a See's shop, and visits with my sisters and the rest of my family are some of my earliest memories of the brand. So, whenever I enjoy a Cinnamon Lollypop, it brings me back to those memories and reminds me of those special moments.