Making Candy History

The Ferrara® Story

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1908

The First Italian
Sweets Shop in
Chicago

In 1908, Salvatore Ferrara, an Italian immigrant, founded a pastry and candy shop in Chicago’s Little Italy. One of his personal favorites was the candy-coated almonds, known as confetti that were popular at Italian weddings. Candy soon surpassed pastries in sales.

1919

A Decade
Later...

In 1919, Ferrara built its first dedicated candy facility: a 15,000-square-foot facility at 2200 W. Taylor St. in Chicago. The growing Ferrara Candy Company would call it home for the next 40 years.

1932

Coming in
Hot ...

Around 1932, Ferrara introduced Red Hots, a famous spicy treat made using the cold panned candy method. This process involved rotating sugar in a pan while adding cinnamon and other ingredients, then coating the candy with a shell.

1954

And Ultimately
Exploding...

In 1954, Ferrara introduced the Atomic Fireball, which exploded onto the candy scene. The spicy red hard candy was originally sold in individual cellophane wrappers and cost just one penny.

1962

Sour —
Turned Sweet

Around 1962, inspiration struck in an unexpected place. Ferrara launched Lemonhead, named after a new human addition to the Ferrara family, whose head reminded thefamily of a lemon.

1970s - 1980s

Business
Booms

By the mid-1970s, the company’s manufacturing capability had grown to produce over 20 million pounds of candy per year. Ferrara continued growth into the 1980s, adding the Black Forest brand to its portfolio, delighting candy lovers with premium and juicy gummies

2012-2018

A New Era

In 2012, Ferrara merged with Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company, adopting the name Ferrara Candy Co. Inc and acquiring iconic and important brands such as Brach’s, Trolli, and Now and Later. The new candy company was poised for national success.

In 2017, with the acquisition by CTH Invest in 2017, Ferrara became a Ferrero-related company while remaining an independent company with Illinois headquarters.

In 2018, shortly after, the company acquired Nestlé’s confectionery business, including the line of Wonka products. More than 20 brands as well as three additional manufacturing facilities ultimately came under Ferrara’s control, transforming the company into a candy industry leader.

2019

Moving
Shop

In 2019,
Ferrara moved its corporate headquarters into the Old Post Office in Chicago’s South Loop, joining other big-name corporate leaders in the refurbished historic space.

2023

Broadening
Horizons

In 2023,
Ferrara acquired the Brazilian snacks and sweets manufacturer Dori Alimentos, the second largest player in the Brazilian market creating a platform for growth in South America’s largest market.

The same year, Ferrara acquired the beloved U.S. candymaker, Jelly Belly Candy Company, which also added manufacturing and facilities in California and Thailand to its industrial footprint.

2024

It‘s a
Touchdown

In 2024,
Ferrara reached 123.4 million people during the most-watched Super Bowl to that time with a NERDS® Gummy Clusters ad. After years of winning awards and gaining fans across the nation, our NERDS Gummy Clusters joined the elite club of products popular enough to merit such hallowed air time.

Global expansion continues with the launch of Nerds Gummy Clusters in the UK.

Today

Today, Ferrara leads the United States candy industry as the top player and leading manufacturer in sugar confections. With ongoing investment into new candy and expanded facilities, the future is sweet.

The Future is Sweet.