Barton's Candy Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Confectionery |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Founder | Stephen Klein and his five brothers |
| Fate | Acquired by Bazzini in 2011; discontinued brand by 2022 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Herbert Tenzer (Chairman of the board for 20 years), George Klein (President and CEO from 1972) |
| Products | Chocolates, fruitcakes, confectionery products |
| Parent | Bazzini (since 2011) |
Barton's Candy Corporation was established in 1940 by Stephen Klein along with his five brothers shortly after they emigrated from Austria. Initially called Barton's Bonbonnieres, the enterprise expanded to operate 3,000 retail locations across the United States by 1960. The company’s operational policy included closing all outlets on Saturdays (Shomer Shabbos), reflecting the founders' cultural traditions, even though only a small fraction of the stores were situated in predominantly Jewish communities.
In 1981, control of Barton's shifted following the acquisition of a majority stake by another company, signaling a change in its ownership structure. Subsequently, in 2011, Bazzini—a firm specializing in nuts, fruits, and chocolates founded in 1886—purchased Barton's. By 2022, Barton's was classified as a discontinued brand within the confectionery sector.
The Klein family’s expertise in chocolate originated from their Austrian roots, which significantly influenced the quality of their products and the company’s positioning in the market. Barton's expansion to thousands of locations illustrated its considerable growth and market penetration during its prime years.
"Centuries"
According to The Jewish Chronicle in 2021, Jewish entrepreneurs have had a longstanding involvement in the chocolate industry. The Klein family acquired their chocolate-making skills through their association with the Austrian firm Altmann & Kühne, which relocated from Europe before World War II to the United States. By 1952, Barton's had established seven stores in Detroit.
The company's expansion throughout the 1950s and 1960s was largely fueled by sales contests held in Jewish schools, where students sold Barton's confections as part of fundraising activities. This approach aligned with Klein's philanthropic dedication to supporting Orthodox Jewish education. Multiple generations of Jewish youth played a role in boosting Barton's market presence through these fundraising campaigns.
A significant competitive edge for Barton's was its dedication to preserving the authentic "mouth feel of chocolate," deliberately avoiding the use of synthetic additives that competitors often incorporated. This commitment to maintaining product quality underpinned the company’s sustained commercial success.
Promotional Book of Esther scroll
During the 1950s and 1960s, Barton's distributed a cylindrical container holding a 4.5-inch scroll of the copyrighted 1953 Megillas Esther. The container bore inscriptions including:
- Book of Esther in English and Megilas Esther in Hebrew
- Happy Purim
- Barton’s Bonbonnieres
Additionally, the top of the container displayed "Famous for Continental Chocolate."
Recall
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) praised Barton's swift action in recalling approximately 4,000 two-pound fruitcake tins after some samples were found to have issues; however, most fruitcakes available on the market remained unaffected.
Kashrut
Barton's entire product line is certified kosher, although not all items are suitable for Passover due to flour content in certain products. The Orthodox Union provides certification for their Pareve and dairy chocolates and supervises their kosher-for-Passover products. Remarkably, even Barton's Easter chocolates have received kosher-for-Passover certification.
In 2009, The Atlantic reported that Barton's initially declined OU certification but later accepted it after facing competitive pressure from Barricini.
Corporation
Herbert Tenzer, a former Congressman who served two terms, was instrumental in the growth of the original Barton's Bonbonnieres and held the position of chairman of the board for twenty years. In 1972, George Klein, son of founder Stephen Klein, took over as President and CEO.
The founders' involvement in real estate and their commitment to community development led to the company acquiring key properties that supported Brooklyn's revitalization efforts and helped lessen its commercial reliance on Manhattan. This deliberate engagement in real estate complemented wider urban renewal programs, strengthening the company's market presence and enhancing its corporate standing throughout the area.