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A short timeline of The Hershey Company and major milestones:
Candy entrepreneur Milton Hershey founds Lancaster Caramel Company in Pennsylvania.
After seeing German chocolate machinery at the 1893 World’s Fair, he pivots to chocolate production.
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The iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar is launched, bringing affordable milk chocolate to the masses.
The world’s largest chocolate factory is built in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. This leads to the establishment of Hershey, PA.
Milton Hershey establishes the Milton Hershey School for underprivileged children via the Hershey Trust.
Hershey’s Kisses are launched, they are hand-wrapped chocolate drops that become a cultural staple. Mechanical wrapping begins in 1921, with the signature “plume” trademarked in 1924.
The debut of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds, the candy bar emphasizes quality control for nuts.
Mr. Goodbar is released; it’s a milk chocolate bar with peanuts.
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup is launched, expanding beyond solid chocolate.
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Chocolate chips are introduced for baking, though they are initially marketed as “chocolate wafers.”
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Krackel, a crispy rice milk chocolate bar, is launched.
The Hershey Company begins producing Ration D Bars for WWII troops—a non-melting, nutrient-dense chocolate bar.
Hershey acquired the H.B. Reese Candy Company, gaining Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (invented in 1928 by H.B. Reese but popularized under Hershey).
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has become a national brand and number one-selling chocolate bar.
Hershey Company rebranded itself as Hershey Foods Corporation after diversifying into pasta and snacks.
Hershey expands globally, opening its first overseas plant in Canada (1970) and acquiring Cadbury’s U.S. operations (1988), including Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Twizzlers is launched under the Hershey brand (acquired via Y&S Licorice), a chewy licorice brand.
The popular Almond Joy and Mounds candy bars are acquired.
The company acquires Leaf North America, adding Jolly Rancher, Whoppers, and Payday to its portfolio. Hershey discontinued other candy bars like Bar None to make way for these more popular candies.
The company rebranded itself as The Hershey Company in order to focus on confectionery and snacks.
CocoaLink is launched in Ghana to support sustainable cocoa farming.
The first Hershey female CEO, Michele Buck, has been appointed. Hershey ranks among Forbes’ “World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies” and maintains $11.2B annual revenue.
Hershey buys Amplify Snack Brands, which includes SkinnyPop popcorn and Pirate’s Booty.
The chocolate company achieves a 100% certified sustainable cocoa sourcing goal.
Lily’s Sweets, a low-sugar, plant-based confectionery brand, has been acquired.
Hershey Zero Sugar Candy and plant-based oat chocolate is released under Reese’s and Hershey’s brands.
They acquired Sour Strips, a sour candy brand, and rejected a $50B acquisition bid by Mondelēz International.
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