Jolly Rancher

Jolly Rancher is a brand of candy, including hard candy, fruit chews, and lollipops.

Related Topics:
Hard candy - Fruit chew - Lollipop

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The product was originally produced by the Jolly Rancher Candy Company, founded in 1949. In 1966, it was sold to Beatrice Foods. In 1983, Huhtamaki Oy bought Jolly Rancher, and later sold it to Hershey Foods Corporation in 1996.

Related Topics:
1949 - 1966 - Beatrice Foods - 1983 - Huhtamaki Oy - Hershey Foods Corporation - 1996

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Jolly Ranchers were developed in 1949 by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen. The Jolly Rancher Candy Company made ice cream, chocolate and hard candy. They began concentrating on hard candies as sales grew. In 1966, the Harmsens sold the company to Beatrice Foods. It was sold to Leaf in 1983, and Hershey Foods Corporation accquired Jolly Ranchers in 1996.

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There are nine kinds of Jolly Ranchers, and over two dozen different flavors. Some of the varieties include:

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Hard Candy, Sugar Free Hard Candy (1997), Jelly Beans (1997), Lollipops (1999), Fruit Chew Lollipops (2001), Fruit Chews Candy (2001), Screaming Sours Candy (2004), and Bold Fruit Smoothie Jelly Beans (2005)

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In addition to the traditional flavors introduced by the Harmsens, Hersheys has added Fruit 'n' Sour flavors, Smoothie flavors, and specially designed candies for holidays such as Halloween.

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