Sweet 60 2021: The top candy companies in North America
Sweet 60 2021: The top candy companies in North America
Each year, Candy Industry compiles a list of the top candy companies in the world. The Sweet 60 features the top 60 candy companies in North America as a subset of the Global Top 100 Candy Companies list. Below, you’ll not only find out where each candy company ranks, but also their estimated net sales, how many employees they have and which products they make.
1
Mars Wrigley, of Mars Inc.
Last year's rating: 1
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel, nougat, hard and chewy candies, cocoa, baking chips, gum, sugar-reduced, nutrition bars
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Confectionery
Sale
$20,000
Chief Officer
Andrew Clarke,
Global President
Employees
7,000 5
Plants
14 5
2
Mondelez International
Last year's rating: 2
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel, nougat, hard and chewy candies, cocoa, gum, sugar-reduced, nutrition bars
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Confectionery
Sale
$10,898
Chief Officer
Dirk Van de Put,
CEO
Employees
79,000 *
Plants
150 *
3
The Hershey Co.
Last year's rating: 3
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel, nut pieces, hard and chewy candies, syrups, cocoa, baking chips, gum, sugar-reduced, snack bars
Headquarters
Hershey, PA
Confectionery
Sale
$8,150
Chief Officer
Michele Buck, Chairwoman,
President & CEO
Employees
17,0001
Plants
14
4
Ferrero North America & Ferrara,
both divisions of Ferrero Group
Last year's rating: 4
Products
chocolate bars, truffles, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel, nuts, hard candy, chewy candy, spreads, gum, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Ferrero N. America, Parsippany, N.J. Ferrara, Chicago, IL
Confectionery
Sale
$4,100 2
Chief Officer
Paul Chibe, Ferrero N. Amer,
President & CEO; Todd Siwak, Ferrara CEO
Employees
9,500 (3,500 Ferrero N. America/6,000 Ferrara)2
Plants
19 2
5
General Mills
Last year's rating: 5
Products
ccereal bars/protein bars, fruit snacks, fruit chews
Headquarters
Minneapolis, Minn
Confectionery
Sale
$2,221
Chief Officer
Jeffrey Harmening, chairman & CEO
Employees
35,000*
Plants
47 *
6
Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc.,
[Ghirardelli, Russell Stover Chocolates, Lindt & Sprungli (USA)]
Last year's rating: 6
Products
chocolate bars, truffles, moulds, panned chocolates, toffee/caramel, nut clusters, hard and chewy candies, marshmallows, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Lindt & Sprungli (North America) Inc., [Ghirardelli, San Leandro, Calif.; Russell Stover Chocolates, Kansas City., Mo.; Lindt & Sprungli (USA), Stratham, N.H.]
Confectionery
Sale
$1,681
Chief Officer
Rolf Fallengger, country responsibility
Employees
4,800*
Plants
5*
7
Kellogg Co.
Last year's rating: 7
Products
cereal bars/protein bars
Headquarters
Battle Creek, Mich.
Confectionery
Sale
$1,323
Chief Officer
Steven Cahillane,
CEO & chairman
Employees
31,000 *
Plants
52*
8
Clif Bar & Co.
Last year's rating: 8
Products
energy bars, nuts, energy chews
Headquarters
Emeryville, Calif.
Confectionery
Sale
$1,000
Chief Officer
Sally Grimes,
CEO
Employees
1,073
Plants
2
9
Simply Good Foods Co.
Last year's rating: 9
Products
chocolate cookies, peanut butter cups, chocolate shakes/powders, sugar-reduced, nutrition bars
Headquarters
Denver, Co
Confectionery
Sale
(includes non-confectionery)
$935 *
Chief Officer
Joseph Scalzo,
president & CEO
Employees
250 *
Plants
n/a
10
1-800-FLOWERS.COM INC.
Last year's rating: 12
Products
chocolate bars, chocolate-covered pretzels/cookies, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel/toffee, nut pieces, hard candy, chewy candy, fudge, popcorn, gum, sugar-reduced, snack bars
Headquarters
Carle Place, N.Y.
Confectionery
Sale
$810
Chief Officer
Chris McCann, CEO
Employees
3,300 yearly;
10,000 seasonally
Plants
4
11
Hearthside Food Solutions
Last year's rating: 11
Products
chocolate bars, cereal bars
Headquarters
Downers Grove, IL
Confectionery
Sale
$661
Chief Officer
Chuck Metzger, CEO;
Richard Scalise, chairman
Employees
2,680
Plants
14
12
PIM Brands Inc.(one of the Promotion In Motion Family of Companies)
Last year's rating: 13
Products
chocolate bars, panned chocolates, hard and chewy candies, yogurt-covered candies, sugar-reduced, fruit snack bars
Headquarters
Allendale, N.J.
Confectionery
Sale
$615
Chief Officer
Michael Rosenberg,
president & CEO
Employees
750
Plants
3
13
Tootsie Roll Industries
Last year's rating: 14
Products
chocolate bars, chocolate cherries, panned chocolates, caramel, lollipops, gum drops, gum
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Confectionery
Sale
$467
Chief Officer
Ellen Gordon,
chairwoman & CEO
Employees
2,200
Plants
8
14
Canel's SA de CV
Last year's rating: 17
Products
caramel, chewy and hard candy, gum, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
San Luis Potosi, MExico
Confectionery
Sale
$450
Chief Officer
Roberto Garcia Corripio,
President
Employees
2,700
Plants
3
15
PepsiCo
Last year's rating: 15
Products
chocolate powder, cereal bars
Headquarters
Purchase, N.Y.
Confectionery
Sale
$441
Chief Officer
Ramon Laguarta,
chairman & CEO
Employees
267,000 *
Plants
285 *
16
See's Candies
Last year's rating: 16
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel/toffee, nuts, hard and chewy candies, marshmallow, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
S. San Francisco, Calif.
Confectionery
Sale
$430
Chief Officer
Pat Egan,
President & CEO
Employees
2,500 yearly;
6,000 seasonally
Plants
3
17
Dulces De la Rosa
Last year's rating: 20
Products
chocolate bars, marzipan/nougat, moulds, panned chocolates, toffee, hard and chewy candies, gum, marshmallow, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Confectionery
Sale
$429
Chief Officer
Miguel Angel Michel Velasco,
president
Employees
3,180
Plants
3
18
Productos Ricolino S.A.P.I. de C.V. (formerly Barcel), div. of Grupo Bimbo
Last year's rating: 19
Products
candy bars, truffles, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel, hard and chewy candies, nougat, gum
Headquarters
Mexico City, Mexico
Confectionery
Sale
$416
Chief Officer
Fernando Lerdo de Tejada Servitje,
president
Employees
5,786
Plants
4
19
Sunrise Confections, div. of Mount Franklin Foods
Last year's rating: 18
Products
nuts, brittles, hard and gummy candies, marshmallow, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
El Paso, Texas
Confectionery
Sale
$400
Chief Officer
Enrique Grajeda,
president & CEO
Employees
3,700
Plants
6
20
Bazooka Candy Brands, div. of The Topps Co.
Last year's rating: 22
Products
gum, sugar-reduced, hard candy, chewy taffy, interactive/novelty
Headquarters
N.Y., N.Y.
Confectionery
Sale
$242
Chief Officer
Tony Jacobs,
president of Bazooka Candy Brands
Employees
200
Plants
1
21
Just Born Quality Confections
Last year's rating: 21
Products
chocolate bars, gummy, marshmallow, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Bethlehem, Pa.
Confectionery
Sale
$ 231
Chief Officer
Ross Born, CEO;
David Shaffer, chair;
David Yale, president & COO
Employees
500
Plants
2
22
Jelly Belly Candy Co.
Last year's rating: 23
Products
gummy/hard candies, panned chocolates, caramel, fudge, filled centers, moulds, nuts, marshmallow, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Fairfield, Calif.
Confectionery
Sale
$195
Chief Officer
Lisa Brasher,
president & CEO
Employees
720
Plants
3
23
Second Nature Brands (formerly Kar's Nuts, Sanders Chocolates, Second Nature Snacks)
Last year's rating: 24 (under Kar's Nuts)
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, caramels, nuts, gummies, dessert toppings/yogurt-covered
Headquarters
Madison Heights, Mich.
Confectionery
Sale
$188
Chief Officer
Victor Mehren,
CEO
Employees
400
Plants
2
24
R.M. Palmer Candy Co.
Last year's rating: 25
Products
chocolate bars, truffles, moulds, caramel, nut barks, novelty
Headquarters
West Reading, Pa.
Confectionery
Sale
$175
Chief Officer
Richard Palmer Jr., president;
Mark Schlott, COO
Employees
850
Plants
3
25
American Licorice Co.
Last year's rating: 29
Products
licorice, fruit chews, lollipops, organic hard candies, sugar-reduced, novelty
Headquarters
La Porte, Ind.
Confectionery
Sale
$150
Chief Officer
John Kretchmer,
CEO
Employees
1,400 *
Plants
3
26
Nellson LLC
Last year's rating: 28
Products
chocolate bars, yogurt-covered bars, nut pieces, nutrition bars
Headquarters
Anaheim, Calif.
Confectionery
Sale
$145
Chief Officer
Jean Filion,
CEO
Employees
1,400 *
Plants
3
27
R.C. Purdy Chocolates Ltd.
Last year's rating: 31
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, moulds, caramel, nougat/brittles, chews, ice cream toppings, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Vancouver, British Columbia
Confectionery
Sale
$140
Chief Officer
Karen Flavelle, CEO;
Lawrence Eade, pres.
Employees
1,100
Plants
1
28
Georgia Nut Co.
Last year's rating: 32
Products
Chocolate pretzels, pralines, chocolate panned, caramel, toffee, nut clusters, sunflower seeds, yogurt-covered, sugar-reduced, functional confections
Headquarters
Skokie, Ill.
Confectionery
Sale
$130
Chief Officer
Rick Drehobl,
CEO
Employees
600
Plants
3
29
Doumak Inc.
Last year's rating: 34
Products
marshmallows
Headquarters
Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Confectionery
Sale
$125
Chief Officer
Don Muff,
president & COO
Employees
195
Plants
2
30
Spangler Candy Co.
Last year's rating: 35
Products
lollipops, candy canes, marshmallows, taffy
Headquarters
Bryan, Ohio
Confectionery
Sale
120
Chief Officer
Kirkland Vashaw,
chairman & CEO
Employees
475
Plants
1
31
Albanese Confectionery Group Inc.
Last year's rating: 36
Products
gummies, chocolate/yogurt-covered pretzels, panned chocolates, nut candies, toffee/caramel, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Merrillville, Ind.
Confectionery
Sale
110
Chief Officer
Scott Albanese,
president
Employees
300
Plants
1
32
Frankford Candy LLC
Last year's rating: 37
Products
moulds, candy canes/lollipops, gummy/licorice, marshmallow, interactive candies
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pa.
Confectionery
Sale
110
Chief Officer
Stuart Selarnick,
CEO
Employees
150
Plants
1
33
Sconza Chocolates
Last year's rating: 43
Products
panned chocolates, caramel, nuts, gummy, yogurt-panned, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Oakdale, Calif.
Confectionery
Sale
107
Chief Officer
Ron Sconza,
president & CEO
Employees
200
Plants
1
34
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Last year's rating: 33
Products
chocolate covered pretzels/cookies, filled chocolates, caramel apples, brittle, bark, marshmallow, fudge, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Durango, Co.
Confectionery
Sale
102
Chief Officer
Bryan Merryman,
president, CEO & chairman
Employees
200
Plants
1
35
Justin's LLC, div. of Hormel Food Corp.
Last year's rating: 38
Products
refrigerated bars, peanut butter cups, nut/chocolate spreads, nuts, protein bars
Headquarters
Boulder, Colo.
Confectionery
Sale
102
Chief Officer
Randy Simonson,
president
Employees
34
Plants
n/a
36
Hawaiian Host Group, division of HHML Acquisition LLC
Last year's rating: 30
Products
chocolate bars, panned chocolate nuts, caramel, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Honolulu, Hawaii
Confectionery
Sale
100
Chief Officer
Edward Schultz,
president & CEO
Employees
400
Plants
2
37
Laura Secord
Last year's rating: 40
Products
chocolate bars, filled chocolates, moulds, panned chocolates, toffee/caramel, barks/nougat, hard and chewy candies, baking chocolate, sugar-reduced, snack bars
Headquarters
Quebec, Quebec
Confectionery
Sale
100
Chief Officer
Jean Leclerc,
president & CEO
Employees
1,000
Plants
1
38
World's Finest Chocolate
Last year's rating: 27
Products
chocolate bars, moulds, panned chocolates, nuts, cocoa, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Chicago, Ill.
Confectionery
Sale
100
Chief Officer
Eddie Opler,
chairman & CEO
Employees
285
Plants
1
39
Nature's Bounty Co.
Last year's rating: 41
Products
nutrition bar/energy bar
Headquarters
Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Confectionery
Sale
99
Chief Officer
Paul Sturman,
president & CEO
Employees
4,000 *
Plants
n/a
40
Elmer Chocolate
Last year's rating: 42
Products
filled centers, caramels, nuts, marshmallow and toppings
Headquarters
Ponchatoula, La.
Confectionery
Sale
$98
Chief Officer
Rob Nelson,
CEO
Employees
300
Plants
1
41
Kenny's Candy & Confections, div. of KLN Family Brands
Last year's rating: 48
Products
chocolate-covered pretzels, potato chips, gummies, licorice, fruit snacks, caramel or chocolate drizzled popcorn
Headquarters
Perham, Minn.
Confectionery
Sale
$88
Chief Officer
Charlie Nelson,
president & CEO
Employees
367
Plants
2
42
Ganong Bros. Ltd.
Last year's rating: 44
Products
chocolate bars, filled chocolates, moulds, caramel, barks/nougat, hard and chewy candies, marshmallow, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada
Confectionery
Sale
$85
Chief Officer
Bryana Ganong,
president & CEO
Employees
370
Plants
1
43
Astor Chocolate
Last year's rating: 47
Products
chocolate bars, truffles, moulds, caramel, nut clusters
Headquarters
Lakewood, N.J.
Confectionery
Sale
$82
Chief Officer
David Grunhut,
president
Employees
450
Plants
2
44
CandyRific LLC
Last year's rating: 45
Products
interactive/novelty, chocolate bars, moulds, gummy, hard candy, gum, toffee/caramel
Headquarters
Louisville, Ky.
Confectionery
Sale
$80
Chief Officer
Rob Auerbach,
president & CEO
Employees
25
Plants
n/a
45
Palmer Candy Co.
Last year's rating: 49
Products
candy bars, chocolate and yogurt pretzels, truffles, panned chocolates, caramel, brittle, bark, nougat, lollipops, gummy
Headquarters
Sioux City, Iowa
Confectionery
Sale
$80
Chief Officer
Marty Palmer,
president
Employees
250
Plants
2
46
Brown & Haley
Last year's rating: 46
Products
chocolate cookies/crackers, toffee/caramel, nut barks, cocoa
Headquarters
Tacoma, Wash.
Confectionery
Sale
$75
Chief Officer
Pierson Clair, CEO, and
John Melin, pres. & COO
Employees
300
Plants
1
47
Abbott Nutrition, div. of Abbott Laboratories
Last year's rating: 26
Products
nutrition bars/energy bars
Headquarters
Chicago, Ill.
Confectionery
Sale
$67
Chief Officer
Daniel Salvadori,
exec. VP, Nutritional Products
Employees
107,000 *
Plants
n/a
48
Chocolove
Last year's rating: new
Products
chocolate bars, truffles/peanut butter cups, caramel/toffee, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Boulder, Colo.
Confectionery
Sale
$60
Chief Officer
Timothy Moley,
founder
Employees
60
Plants
1
49
The Warrell Corp.
Last year's rating: 50
Products
Chocolate-covered pretzels/cookies/potato chips, panned chocolates; toffee; brittles/nut clusters, snack bars, yogurt-covered candies, fudge
Headquarters
Camp Hill, Pa.
Confectionery
Sale
$55
Chief Officer
Patricia Zwergel,
president & CEO
Employees
175
Plants
1
50
Impact Confections
Last year's rating: 51
Products
hard candy/lollipops, chewy/gummy, marshmallow, novelty
Headquarters
Janesville, Wisc.
Confectionery
Sale
$55
Chief Officer
Gary Viljoen,
CEO
Employees
200
Plants
n/a
51
Sweet Candy Co.
Last year's rating: 52
Products
taffy, jelly beans, gummy category, chocolate-covered jelly sticks
Headquarters
Salt Lake City, Utah
Confectionery
Sale
$54
Chief Officer
Richard Kay,
president & CEO
Employees
165
Plants
1
52
Original Gourmet Food Co.
Last year's rating: 53
Products
chocolate-covered cookies, filled chocolates, caramel, hard and chewy candies, fudge/novelties, gum
Headquarters
Salem, N.H
Confectionery
Sale
$52
Chief Officer
Richard Alimenti,
CEO
Employees
75
Plants
3
53
Sarris Candies Inc.
Last year's rating: 54
Products
chocolate bars, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, toffee/caramel, brittles/barks, hard and chewy candies, marshmallow, sugar-reduced, energy bars
Headquarters
Canonsburg, Pa.
Confectionery
Sale
$50
Chief Officer
Bill Sarris,
president & CEO
Employees
450
Plants
2
54
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Inc.
Last year's rating: 55
Products
chocolate bars, filled chocolates, moulds, toffee/caramel, brittle, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Dunmore, Pa.
Confectionery
Sale
$50
Chief Officer
Carolyn Hawk Horter,
chairwoman
Employees
225
Plants
1
55
BBX Sweet Holdings, subsidiary of BBX Capital Inc.
Last year's rating: 39
Products
chocolate bars, chocolate-covered cookies/pretzels, truffles, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel/toffee, nut pieces, lollipops, gummies, marshmallow
Headquarters
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Confectionery
Sale
$49
Chief Officer
Jarett Levan,
CEO of BBX Sweet Holdings; pres. & CEO of BBX Capital
Employees
1,000
Plants
2
56
Pearson's Candy Co., div. of Spell Capital Partners
Last year's rating: new
Products
candy bars, mint patties, nuts barks/rolls, caramel
Headquarters
St. Paul, Minn.
Confectionery
Sale
$45
Chief Officer
Dan Lagermeier,
pres. & CEO
Employees
175
Plants
1
57
Atkinson Candy Co.
Last year's rating: 56
Products
caramel, brittle, hard candy, sugar-reduced
Headquarters
Lufkin, Texas
Confectionery
Sale
$43
Chief Officer
Eric Atkinson,
president
Employees
250
Plants
2
58
Arway Confections/Long Grove Confectionery
Last year's rating: 57
Products
chocolate-covered pretzels/grahams, peanut butter cups, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel/toffee, nuts/brittles, yogurt-pretzels, sugar-reduced, cereal bars
Headquarters
Chicago, Ill.
Confectionery
Sale
$40
Chief Officer
Craig Leva,
president
Employees
200
Plants
2
59
Ford Gum & Machine Co.
Last year's rating: 58
Products
lollipops, gum, sugar-reduced, gummies/jellies, interactive/novelty
Headquarters
Akron, N.Y.
Confectionery
Sale
$40
Chief Officer
George Stege,
president
Employees
150
Plants
1
60
Zachary Confections Inc.
Last year's rating: 59
Products
chocolate/yogurt-covered pretzels, filled centers, moulds, panned chocolates, caramel, nut clusters, jellies, marshmallow
Headquarters
Frankfort, Ind.
Confectionery
Sale
$40
Chief Officer
Jack Zachary,
president
Employees
350
Plants
1
Note on methodology:
All sales, plant and employee estimates are for confectionery operations only, unless otherwise noted. In addition, Candy Industry has attempted to factor out industrial chocolate sales and plants.
All estimates come from a combination of manufacturer surveys, annual reports, media reports, private and published research, and analyst interviews. For most public companies, projections were made for fiscal 2020.
In some cases, the previous year’s sales were used with a correction for growth from the current year’s reports. For most private companies, sales are estimated for calendar year 2020.
Sales in red mean the currency was not originally in U.S. Dollars. Wherever data was lacking, information is noted as N/A (not available).
*Includes non-confectionery items
1Includes part-time or temporary workers
2These numbers are for all Ferrero's North American businesses including Ferrara, Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Crunch, Harry London, Fanny May, Keebler
31-800-FLOWERS.COM has 3,000 year round employees; 8,000 seasonally
4See's Candies has 1,500 year round employees; 6,000 seasonally
5Mars Wrigley has 53 plants globally, 14 in North America. The confectionery business has 30,000 employees globally, 7,000 in North America.