Lifestyle | Just For Fun

The Companies Raking In The Big Bucks On America’s Sweet Tooth

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for details.

Are you a candy lover? Got a sweet tooth? We all have our favorites, be it a chocolate bar, something we can toss in our mouths, like Skittles, savor like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, or something fruity like gummi bears. Then there are classics, like Hershey’s Kisses. There are 10 companies responsible for a great majority of the candies we eat. Let’s take a look at these companies, starting with the largest, and then counting down.

The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company.
Photo credit: The Hershey Company.

Leading the industry, The Hershey Company holds the top spot with an impressive revenue of $10.419 billion in 2022. This well-known brand produces a diverse range of chocolate products, including favorites like Hershey Bar, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Kit Kat, and Hershey’s Kisses. Notably, they also own Jolly Rancher, a popular hard sugar candy line that achieved sales of $103.2 million in 2021.

Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated.
Photo credit: Mars, Incorporated.

Securing the second position, Mars, Incorporated boasts a substantial revenue of $9.7 billion in 2022. This brand is renowned for its creations, most notably M&M’s, which is acclaimed as one of the world’s most beloved candy brands. Their repertoire extends to iconic treats such as Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Skittles, and Starburst.

Ferrero Group

Ferrero Group.
Photo credit: Ferrero Group.

As the third largest candy brand, the Ferrero Group recorded a revenue of $3.8 billion in 2022. Esteemed for its delectable offerings, this brand is the driving force behind treats like Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Tic Tac. Noteworthy is their acquisition of Nestle’s U.S. confectionery business in 2018, which includes famed brands like Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Ruth, and Nerds.

Mondelez International

Mondelez International.
Photo credit: Mondelez International.

Holding the fourth position, Mondelez International achieved a revenue of $3.4 billion in 2022. This esteemed brand’s portfolio includes well-known favorites such as Oreo, Cadbury, Trident, Sour Patch Kids, and Swedish Fish. Their range extends to include Toblerone, Milka, and Halls, showcasing their diverse candy offerings.

Lindt & Sprüngli

Lindt & Sprüngli.
Photo credit: Lindt & Sprüngli.

Claiming the fifth spot, Lindt & Sprüngli generated a revenue of $1.8 billion in 2022. Revered for their premium chocolate creations and exquisite gift assortments, this brand is responsible for crafting Lindt, Ghirardelli, Russell Stover, and Whitman’s products.

Perfetti Van Melle

Perfetti Van Melle.
Photo credit: Perfetti Van Melle.

Holding the sixth position, Perfetti Van Melle garnered a revenue of $1 billion in 2022. Known as a leading manufacturer of both chewy and hard candies worldwide, they are behind beloved treats like Mentos, Airheads, Chupa Chups, and Alpenliebe.

Haribo

Haribo.
Photo credit: Haribo.

Securing the seventh place, Haribo achieved a revenue of $800 million in 2022. This brand stands as the pioneer of gummy bears and is globally recognized for its gummy candy creations, including Haribo Gold-Bears, Happy Cola, Starmix, and Peaches.

Wrigley Company

Wrigley Company.
Photo credit: Wrigley Company.

Occupying the eighth position, the Wrigley Company reported a revenue of $700 million in 2022. A subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, they specialize in manufacturing chewing gum and mints. Their product lineup includes popular brands like Orbit, Extra, Eclipse, Juicy Fruit, and Doublemint.

Jelly Belly Candy Company

Jelly Belly Candy Company.
Photo credit: Jelly Belly Candy Company.

In the ninth place, the Jelly Belly Candy Company generated a revenue of $600 million in 2022. Renowned for their extensive array of jelly bean flavors and colors, they produce Jelly Belly jelly beans, BeanBoozled, Sport Beans, and Sunkist Fruit Gems.

Godiva Chocolatier

Godiva Chocolatier.
Photo credit: Godiva Chocolatier.

Holding the tenth spot, Godiva Chocolatier achieved a revenue of $500 million in 2022. This premium chocolate brand, originating from Belgium, offers an exquisite range of chocolate bars, truffles, pralines, biscuits, and coffee, earning them a notable global presence.

The Worst Tasting Candies Ever Made 

Circus_Peanuts_(5333668001).
Photo credit: Mark Bonica.

Candy is supposed to be sweet, delicious, and satisfying. But not all candies are created equal. Some candies are so bad that they make you wonder who thought they were a good idea. Whether it’s because of their taste, texture, appearance, or smell, these candies are the ones that you would never want to receive on Halloween, or any other occasion. In fact, you would probably pay someone to take them away from you. These are the 10 candies that taste really awful. Any you want to add to the list?

Read: The Worst Tasting Candies Ever Made 

10 Of The Worst Tasting Drinks People Pretend To Like

tops of soda cans.
Breakingpic via Canva.

Hold onto your taste buds, because we’re about to embark on a flavor-filled adventure through the realm of beverages! Sure, we all need water to survive, but let’s be real – drinks are so much more than just basic hydration. Recently, the question of which beverages people secretly think taste awful sparked a fiery debate. Boozy elixirs, non-alcoholic refreshments, and everything in between were thrown into the mix. Brace yourself as we unveil the truth behind the drinks we pretend to love. Get ready for a wild ride of taste revelations! Read 10 Of The Worst Tasting Drinks People Pretend To Like

12 Of The Worst Tasting Foods People Find Disgusting

woman disgusted at food.
Photo credit: nicoletaionescu via DepositPhotos.

Food. We all have foods we love, foods we cannot stand – and then there are the foods that have people deeply divided. While wandering about an online forum we came across a discussion about foods that people find disgusting.

READ: 12 Of The Worst Tasting Foods People Find Disgusting

6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For

Sheetz Store 1.
Photo credit: Sheetz.

We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hotdogs of indeterminate age, and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine, or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need. Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat. Read 6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For

18 of the World’s Deadliest Foods: How Many Are You Eating?

mushroom.
Photo credit: Totajla via Canva.

Whether you eat to live, or live to eat, let’s make sure you live to see another day! These are some of the world’s deadliest foods. They can bring on extreme symptoms, ranging from paralysis to seizures, choking and even death, so don’t go tucking these into your lunchbox. Click for 18 of the World’s Deadliest Foods: How Many Are You Eating?

You Might Also Be Interested To Read