Brach's
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Confectionery |
| Founded | 1904 |
| Founder | Emil J. Brach |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States, Mexico |
| Products | Candy corn, Conversation Hearts, Nougats, Jelly Beans, Chocolates, Other candies |
| Owner | Ferrara Candy Company |
Brach's () is a confectionery brand under the ownership of the Ferrara Candy Company.
History
In 1904, businessman Emil J. Brach invested $1,000 to open a Chicago shop called "Brach's Palace of Sweets." Alongside his sons Edwin and Frank, he expanded manufacturing operations, reducing production costs to offer candy at 20 cents per pound compared to competitors charging 50 cents. By 1911, weekly production reached 50,000 pounds.
By 1923, Brach had established four manufacturing plants and invested $5 million in a centralized facility on West Kinzie Street, producing 127 candy varieties with an annual output capacity of 2.2 million pounds. Later expansions included chocolate grinding and panning capabilities. A 1948 explosion resulted in fatalities and extensive damage; however, rebuilding efforts increased annual capacity beyond 4 million pounds, employing up to 4,500 workers at its height. The Kinzie facility was closed in 2003 as production shifted mainly to Mexico. The site was demolished by 2014.
Prior to World War II, Brach's produced assorted candy bars but shifted focus after the war toward bulk and bagged candies, leveraging the expanding Halloween market. In 1958, Brach's introduced the Pick-A-Mix system—enabling shoppers to select candies from bulk bins priced by weight—modernizing traditional retail approaches for supermarkets.
In 1966, American Home Products Corporation acquired Brach's. By 1986, the company controlled two-thirds of the U.S. bagged candy market and held a 7% share of the $9 billion total candy market, generating $640 million in sales and over $75 million in pretax profits with a workforce exceeding 3,700 employees.
In 1987, Klaus Jacobs purchased Brach's for $730 million. By 1989, the company suffered $50 million in losses with declining revenues ($470 million). Despite growth in the U.S. candy sector, sales fell to $400 million by 1993 accompanied by ongoing losses. Headquarters relocated in 1994; workforce cuts eliminated nearly 900 jobs (42%), alongside loss of major customers and market share.
Jacobs pursued aggressive restructuring: replacing senior management with executives from European operations unfamiliar with U.S. markets; cutting product offerings from 1,700 to 400; and scaling back holiday marketing efforts. Rebranding as Jacobs Suchard Inc. caused confusion among retailers and consumers, alienating key clients such as Walgreens and Walmart who turned to alternative suppliers.
In 1990, Philip Morris International acquired Jacobs Suchard excluding its U.S. subsidiary. Klaus Jacobs created Van Houten & Zoon Holding AG to oversee Brach's but ongoing strategic conflicts resulted in frequent executive turnover and sales staff departures during the early 1990s.
In 1994, Jacobs acquired Brock Candy Company for $140 million; combined operations briefly operated as Brach and Brock Candy Company before rebranding as Brach's Confections.
Barry Callebaut AG bought the company in 2003 for a nominal $1 while assuming $16 million in debt and financing restructuring; KJ Jacobs AG was the majority owner of both entities.
In 2007, Farley's & Sathers Candy Company acquired Brach's and later merged with Ferrara Pan Candy Company in 2012 to establish the current Ferrara Candy Company.
Products
The company launched with caramels as its initial offering, created using an economical production method that allowed pricing below competitors, resulting in high consumer demand. Caramels continue to be a fundamental item within a broad assortment that includes both everyday treats and seasonal specialties.
Candy corn
Brach's manufactures candy corn, a confection most commonly linked to Halloween but available throughout the year in seasonal varieties. Flavor options encompass pumpkin spice, s'mores, and caramel.
Conversation Hearts
Known as Sweethearts, Brach's heart-shaped sugar candies are traditionally sold around Valentine's Day, displaying messages such as "Be Mine" and "Kiss Me." These candies are offered in multiple sizes and themed editions, including Emoticon and Alphabet versions.
Nougats
The company offers seasonal chewy nougats with flavors that change annually, featuring peppermint, wintergreen, and cinnamon during Christmas; candy corn for Halloween; and ice cream for Easter.
Jelly Beans
Brach's Original Jelly Beans serve as a classic Easter favorite, available in spiced, speckled, orchard fruit, and sour flavors. In 2015, the range expanded to include both miniature and jumbo-sized jelly beans.
Chocolates
Their chocolate selection available year-round includes Malt Balls, Double Dipped Peanuts, Chocolate Stars, Almond Supremes, and Bridge Mix. For Easter, Malt Balls are shaped like eggs with speckled shells known as Fiesta Malted Milk Eggs.
Other candies
Additional year-round offerings from Brach's include Star Brite Mints, Caramel Royals, Lemon Drops, Spice Drops, and Maple Nut Goodies.