Chicago Candy Company Agrees To Purchase Jelly Belly

CHICAGO — Jelly Belly jelly beans will again call Chicago home after a local company announced plans to purchase the California company that produces the gourmet confectionary in a deal that is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

Ferrara Candy Company announced last week that it has reached an agreement to purchase Jelly Belly Candy Company, which is based in California.

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, according to a news release.

Once the acquisition is finalized, about 800 Jelly Belly employees and its facilities in California, Illinois, and Thailand will join the Ferrara organization, the two companies announced last week.

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, the release said. The company's 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.

“As we considered the future of Jelly Belly Candy Company, we have been steadfast in our commitment to create a win-win situation for our employees, consumers, and products,” Herman Rowland, Sr., chairman of the Board of Directors of Jelly Belly said in the release. “When I met with the Ferrara team, I recognized a like-minded group that shares our knowledge and passion for the candy business and has the talent and resources to grow our products and the careers of our people around the world. I am confident of the continued success of Jelly Belly as part of the Ferrara portfolio.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are excited to bring Jelly Belly’s imaginative products and talented team into the Ferrara community,” Marco Capurso, chief executive officer of Ferrara said in the release. “Our dedication to creating high-quality, innovative sugar confections for the world and our deep relationships with retailers aligns perfectly with the Jelly Belly track record and passion for quality, reliability, and customer service. We look forward to working together to build on the success of all our brands.”