Making Candy History

The Ferrara Story

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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.

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.

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.

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

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

Ferrara continued growth

By the mid-1970s, the company’s manufacturing capability had grown to produce over 20 million pounds of candy per year.

In 1998, Ferrara added the Black Forest brand to its portfolio, delighting candy lovers with premium and juicy gummies.

A New Era

In 2012, Ferrara merged with Farley’s and Sathers Candy Company, adopting the name Ferrara Candy Company 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-affiliated company while remaining an independent company with Illinois headquarters.

In 2018, the company acquired Nestle'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.

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.

In 2020,
Ferrara launched NERDS Gummy Clusters candy, bringing classic, tangy NERDS together with a chewy gummy center. The innovative candy quickly became a fan favorite, earning recognition from the manufacturing and confectionery industries and taking center stage in Ferrara’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial in 2024. Since then, NERDS Gummy Clusters has continued to build a devoted following nationwide and expand globally, with recent launches in Canada and the UK.

In 2022, Ferrara surpassed the competition to become the leader in sugar confectionery in the US.

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.

In 2025,
Ferrara's acquisition of leading French manufacturer and distributor of popular candies and chocolates, Carambar & Co., brought more enjoyment to consumers across Europe and strengthened Ferrara's platform for continued growth.

Today, Ferrara leads the U.S. candy industry as the top player and leading manufacturer in sugar confections, while continuing to expand its global footprint and invest in new innovations, operational capabilities and advanced facilities. With a growing presence around the world, the future is sweet.

The Future is Sweet.