Ferrara Candy Company announced 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.

The proposed acquisition would combine Jelly Belly Candy Company’s more than 100 flavors of Jelly Belly® jelly beans and gourmet specialty confections with Ferrara’s broad portfolio of sugar candies. Once the acquisition closes, nearly 800 global Jelly Belly employees and its facilities in California, Illinois, and Thailand will join the Ferrara organization. Jeff Brown, who is currently the executive vice president of global operations and Distribution of Jelly Belly, will become its chief executive officer.

Jelly Belly Candy Company’s roots date back to its founding in Illinois in 1869 and it has continued to be family-owned and operated by the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of the Rowland candy-making family. Its signature brand of Jelly Belly® jelly beans has been one of the most loved and recognizable candy products in the world since its introduction in 1976. Its extensive portfolio includes more than 100 flavors of its well-known jelly beans and a wide variety of other candies. The company is also well-known for its specialty retail confections, including jelly bean lines such as BeanBoozled® jelly beans and Sport Beans® Energizing jelly beans®. Today, Jelly Belly distributes its products in more than 60 countries across five continents and has a strong track record of sustained and profitable growth.

Headquartered in Chicago for more than 115 years and privately owned, Ferrara is the leading US sugar confections company and the manufacturer of 20 beloved brands such as Black Forest®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, and Trolli®. Ferrara is a Ferrero related company.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023 and is subject to certain closing conditions.

www.ferrarausa.com
www.jellybelly.com