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Jelly Belly

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Jelly Belly
Formerly
  • Goelitz Confectionery Company (1898-2001)
  • Herman Goelitz Candy Company (1921–2001)
Company typeSubsidiary ofFerrara Candy Company
IndustryConfections
Founded1869;155 years ago(1869)inBelleville, Illinois,U.S.
FounderGustav Goelitz
HeadquartersFairfield, California
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Herman G Rowland Sr., Chairman[1]
ProductsJelly beans,candy corn, mellocremes, gummies, jells, chocolate confections
Revenue$190 million[1]
Number of employees
800[1]
Websitejellybelly.com

Jelly Belly Candy Company,formerly known asHerman Goelitz Candy CompanyandGoelitz Confectionery Company,is an American company that manufactures Jelly Bellyjelly beansand othercandy.[2]

The company is based inFairfield, California,with a second manufacturing facility inNorth Chicago, Illinois.A distribution and visitor center inPleasant Prairie, Wisconsinclosed in 2020.[3]In October 2008, the company opened a 50,000 sq ft (4,645 m2) manufacturing plant inRayong,Thailand, where it produces confections for the international market.[4]In October 2023, theFerrara Candy Companyannounced an agreement to acquire Jelly Belly Candy Company.[5]

History

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1866–1913

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Packing of Goelitz candy corn

Gustav Goelitz came to the United States in 1866 from Germany and in 1869 started the confectionery business Gustav Goelitz inBelleville, Illinois.[6]His younger brothers, Albert and George, emigrated to America soon after joining him in the business. In 1898, the company began manufacturingmellowcremecandies (also called mellow cream or butter cream).Candy corn,a type of mellowcreme candy, was likely developed by George Renniger, an employee of Wunderle's Candy Company inPhiladelphia. The Goelitz Confectionery Company was successful in selling a variety of mellowcreme candy including candy corn.[7][8]In 1900 the company opened a factory in Cincinnati and in 1904 the company opened another factory inChicago.Eventually, the company relocated to North Chicago in 1913.[6]

1913–1980

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Herman Goelitz, the son of Gustav, moved to theWest Coastto start his own business, Herman Goelitz Candy Company. The company eventually settled inOakland, Californiain 1924. In the 1960s, the company began to expand the product line to includejelly beans,variousjells,and other confections. "One of those new products was a small and very flavorful Mini Jelly Bean [developed in 1965]."[9][10]The Mini Jelly Bean had natural flavoring added to the center and the outer shell was flavored, which was innovative for the time.

Ronald Reagan,who "had quit smoking years before and turned to popping candy as an oral substitute", first tried the company's [mini] jelly beans in 1969. According to Maria Wilhelm ofPeoplemagazine,he was "hooked" upon receiving the beans from Rowland.[11]

Reagan wrote to Herman Rowland as governor in 1973, "we can hardly start a meeting or make a decision without passing around the jar of jelly beans."[12]

In 1976,David Klein,a candy and nut distributor, collaborated with Herman Rowland (grandson of Herman Goelitz) to develop a jelly bean using natural flavoring. Using the Mini Jelly Bean concept, the Jelly Belly jelly bean was created.[13]David Klein hired Herman Goelitz Candy Company as his contract manufacturer to produce the bean. David Klein called the bean, Jelly Belly jelly bean. Klein coined the name "Jelly Belly" as a tribute to blues musicianLead Belly,and was responsible for the design of the product's famous red and yellow trademark.[14]

David Klein sold the first Jelly Belly jelly beans in 1976 at an ice cream parlor calledFosselman'sinAlhambra, California.The first flavors were Very Cherry, Tangerine, Lemon, Green Apple, Grape, Licorice, Root Beer, and Cream Soda.[15]It was David Klein's idea "to sell them as separate flavors instead of a variety pack...".[16]

1980–present

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Marinus van Dam,product developer and plant manager for the company, oversaw the development of Jelly Belly jelly beans. By the 1980s, many flavors had been developed. In 1980, Klein sold the Jelly Belly trademark.[17]"David Klein sold the Jelly Belly trademark to Rowland for $4.8 million, paid in monthly installments over 20 years, which Klein split with a partner."[18]The Jelly Belly trademark was registered August 3, 1982.[19]The Mr. Jelly Belly character was developed in 1983. Prior to the development of the character David Klein called himself "Mr. Jelly Belly."

Reagan takes a jelly bean out of a jar, 1985.

The general public became aware of Reagan's preference for the jelly beans in 1981.[20]The company supplied him with the beans throughouthis presidency.[21]Chairman Rowland recalls, "We were thrilled by press reports that President Reagan gave jars of Jelly Belly jelly beans to visiting dignitaries."[20]Reagan made them the first jelly beans in space, sending them on theSpace ShuttleChallengerduring theSTS-7mission in 1983, surprising the astronauts.[22]However, he "started to favorM&M's as the official White House candyduring his eighth and final year in office. "[23]

In 2001, the company renamed itself to Jelly Belly Candy Company.[13]

In 2022, the company countersued Klein in federal court for falsely claiming to be the founder of the company.[24]

In October 2023, TheFerrara Candy Companyannounced an agreement to acquire Jelly Belly Candy Company through CTH Invest, the lead holding company of Ferrara. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.[5]

Products

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Various Jelly Belly jelly beans

Jelly beans

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The company's signature product, the Jelly Belly jelly bean, comes in more than 50 varieties ranging from traditional flavors likeorange,lemon lime,andvery cherry,to more exotic ones likecinnamon,pomegranate,cappuccino,buttered popcorn,andchili-mango.[25]

Jelly Belly Candy Company manufactures numerous specialty Jelly Belly jelly beans with licensed products likeTabasco sauceand uncommon candy tastes likeegg nogandpancakes with maple syrup.[26]A few flavors such aslycheeandgreen tea,are sold only in markets outside the United States.[26]

Several flavors have been based on popular alcoholic beverages, beginning withMai Taiin 1977.[27]Over the years, new additions have includedstrawberry daiquiri,margarita,mojito,andpiña colada.[27]Draft beer,a flavor inspired byHefeweizenale, was introduced in 2014.[27][28]All flavors are entirely alcohol-free.[27]

"Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans" were inspired by theHarry Potterbook series and featured intentionally gruesome flavors such as "Vomit", "Earwax", "Skunk Spray", "Rotten Egg" and "Grass". A similar product dubbed "BeanBoozled" pairs lookalike "normal" flavors with weird flavors, such as "Peach" and "Barf".[29][30]

"Sport Beans" are jelly beans designed to provide physical energy and enhance athletic performance.[9][31]They contain carbohydrates, electrolytes (in the form of sodium and potassium), and vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C.[32]"Extreme Sport Beans" include the additional boost of caffeine.[31][32]

Other candies

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The company makes over 100 different confections includingchocolates,licorice,gummies,andcandy corn.[33]

Facilities

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The company operates three manufacturing plants inFairfield, California;North Chicago, Illinois;andRayong,Thailand.A fourth facility inPleasant Prairie, Wisconsin,was adistributioncenter and a visitor center until liquidation began on August 3, 2020; it closed.[3][34][35]

Entrance and visitor's center
Beginning of factory tour
Factory decorations
Tumblers used to apply coatings to the beans
Bins of stock on the factory floor
Message at the end of the factory tour
Jelly Belly Candy Company factory in Fairfield, California

References

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  1. ^abcScully, Carla (February 11, 2013)."Top 100 Candy Companies".Candy Industry.Archivedfrom the original on October 21, 2014.RetrievedOctober 16,2014.
  2. ^"Goelitz Announces New Corporate Identity".The Gourmet Retailer.November 1, 2000.Archivedfrom the original on August 9, 2018.RetrievedOctober 17,2014.
  3. ^ab"Jelly Belly to Close Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Store and Tour".Jelly Belly to Close Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Store and Tour.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-07-22.Retrieved2020-09-02.
  4. ^"Candymaker overcomes global market challenges at new facility in Thailand".Packaging Digest.March 31, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on January 27, 2021.RetrievedOctober 17,2014.
  5. ^ab"Jelly Belly Acquisition Update".
  6. ^abBearden-White, Christina (March 3, 2013)."Gustav Goelitz (1846-1901)".Immigrant Entrepreneurship.German Historical Institute.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2014.RetrievedOctober 17,2014.
  7. ^"The History of Candy Corn: A Halloween Candy Favorite".Better Homes and Gardens.2015-08-28.Archivedfrom the original on 2016-10-14.Retrieved2016-10-18.
  8. ^"The Saccharine History of Candy Corn | National Geographic | The Plate".2015-10-27. Archived fromthe originalon 2016-10-20.Retrieved2016-10-18.
  9. ^ab"How I Made My Millions: Episode 14".CNBC.February 28, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon December 25, 2013.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
  10. ^"A Hill of Beans, Jelly Belly on CNBC".Jelly Belly.Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2014.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
  11. ^Wilhelm, Maria (February 23, 1981)."If the Reagan Administration Is Full of Beans, Blame Jelly Belly Baron Herman Rowland".People Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2014.RetrievedOctober 28,2014.
  12. ^"Jelly Belly honors Reagan".NBC News.June 8, 2004.Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2023.RetrievedJune 6,2023.
  13. ^abMurphy, Kate (June 26, 2008)."Not Just Another Jelly Bean".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedOctober 17,2014.
  14. ^Knoll, Corina (June 22, 2011)."Jelly Belly creator sour over lost legacy but sees sweet future: David Klein now gives midday $5 tours at his no-frills candy factory in Covina while he brainstorms ideas for a new line of gourmet jelly beans in exotic flavors as he seeks what he craves most: recognition".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 18,2018.
  15. ^"Jelly Belly Jelly Beans Celebrate Three Decades and Bean-Filled Future"(Press release). Jelly Belly. November 8, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2014.RetrievedOctober 30,2014.
  16. ^Wade, Tony (March 29, 2013)."Not-so-sweet story of original 'Mr. Jelly Belly'".Daily Republic.Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2015.RetrievedMay 26,2015.
  17. ^Rogers, John (October 30, 2011)."Former Mr. Jelly Belly looking for sweet comeback".AP Online.Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon March 12, 2017.RetrievedMarch 8,2017– viaHighBeam Research.
  18. ^Wade, Tony (March 29, 2013)."Not-so-sweet Story of Original Mr. Jelly Belly".Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2015.RetrievedMay 26,2015.
  19. ^"Jelly Belly Trademark".Archived fromthe originalon May 20, 2015.RetrievedMay 18,2015.
  20. ^abRowland, Herman G. Sr. (2012)."The Candy Man Can".Chicken soup for the entrepreneur's soul: Advice & inspiration for fulfilling dreams.Cos Cob, CT: Backlist, LLC, a unit of Chicken Soup for the Soul Pub. p. 135.ISBN978-1-4532-7622-8.Archivedfrom the original on July 16, 2023.RetrievedNovember 18,2014.
  21. ^Danilovich, Nico (June 2, 2023)."Why 3.5 Tons Of Jelly Beans Were Once Shipped To The White House".Tasting Table.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2023.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  22. ^McCreary, Donna D. (July 9, 2009)."President Ronald Reagan and Blue Jelly Beans".Great History.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-04-26.Retrieved2019-09-07.
  23. ^"This Is Why M&Ms Are The Official Candy Of The White House".January 2017.Archivedfrom the original on April 18, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 24,2017.
  24. ^"Jelly Belly sues Florida man who it says is claiming to be the company founder".Archivedfrom the original on 2022-08-27.Retrieved2023-02-18.
  25. ^"Jelly Belly Flavor Guides".JellyBelly.com.Archivedfrom the original on October 7, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 19,2018.
  26. ^abPahle, Rebecca (April 16, 2016)."22 of the World's Craziest Jelly Bean Flavors".Mental Floss.Archivedfrom the original on December 14, 2016.
  27. ^abcd"Jelly Belly Unveils Beer Flavored Jelly Bean".Entertainment Close-Up.Close-Up Media. January 30, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 19,2018– viaHighBeam Research.
  28. ^Nichols, Laura (May 31, 2014)."Jelly Belly Fans Quench Their Thirst with Draft Beer-Flavored Candies".PRWeek(US).Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 19,2018.
  29. ^"15 new snacks to try for Halloween 2015".CNN News.October 28, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2018.RetrievedJune 21,2017.
  30. ^Sera (April 2, 2009)."Candy Review: Jelly Belly's BeanBoozled".Candy Addict.Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 19,2018.
  31. ^abAndersen, Charlotte Hilton."12 Tasty Alternatives to Energy Gels".Shape.Archivedfrom the original on June 30, 2017.
  32. ^abAdams, Alison (September 11, 2017)."Are Jelly Belly Beans a Good Source of Quick Energy for Running?".Livestrong.com.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 19,2018.
  33. ^"Jelly Belly Confections".JellyBelly.com.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 19,2018.
  34. ^Holman, Donna."Jelly Belly Center (WI)".Factory Tours USA.Archived fromthe originalon December 29, 2019.RetrievedNovember 11,2014.
  35. ^Saunders, Jessica (July 27, 2008)."Jelly Belly prepares to open first overseas plant as demand sweetens".San Francisco Business Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2016-08-16.Retrieved2015-04-15.
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