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Tootsie Rolls Industries
DOTS's prehistory can be traced to the licorice brand Black Crows, created in the 1890s by confectioners Ernest Von Au and Joseph Maison.
Licorice enjoyed dual popularity as a confection and medicinal ingredient, commonly used to soothe sore throats and other ailments.
The Mason Company produced Black Crows for over 50 years before developing fruit-flavored DOTS.
1945
The Mason Company launched DOTS candy in 1945, when consumer demand for affordable candy was surging due to the end of World War 2.
The original DOTS came in five flavors:
DOTS stood out due to their lack of sugar coating, typical of gumdrops, and a smooth texture unlike anything on the market.
The original flavors were trademarked the same year, and the formulation remains unchanged to this day.
The Mason, Au and Magenheimer Confectionery Manufacturing Company produced DOTS in Brooklyn, New York.
DOTS' simple yellow cardboard box packaging has remained largely unchanged since 1945.
This packaging does have a downside: the candies tend to harden over time as the starch-based gumdrops lose moisture.
Unlike modern sealed packaging, which preserves freshness, DOTS boxes allow air exchange, gradually transforming the candies' texture.
This quirk has become part of the DOTS experience, with consumers often noting the varying textures from fresh, soft gumdrops to firmer versions in older boxes.
1972
In 1972, Tootsie Roll Industries acquired the DOTS brand by purchasing the Mason Division of the Candy Corporation of America.
For Tootsie Roll, this was their first entry into the non-chocolate candy market.
The acquisition preserved the original DOTS formula, but leveraged Tootsie Roll's extensive distribution networks and marketing resources.
Following the 1972 acquisition, DOTS production moved from Mason's New York facilities to Tootsie Roll's industrial plant in Chicago, Illinois.
This relocation centralized manufacturing and significantly expanded production capacity.
The Chicago facility now produces over four billion DOTS annually.
Since the mid-20th century, DOTS has established itself as quintessential movie theater candy.
Many Americans receive their first introduction to DOTS at the cinema.
Their silent, gum-like chewiness made them quieter to eat than crunchy alternatives, and their cardboard box packaging was sturdy yet inexpensive for theater concessions.
Their bright colors and varied flavors have also complemented the cinematic experience over the years.
DOTS expanded beyond its original five flavors with Tropical DOTS in 2003, featuring exotic options like Island Nectar, Wild Mango, and Paradise Punch.
Yogurt DOTS were released in 2007 with Banana, Orange, Blackberry, and Lemon-Lime flavors.
Sour DOTS arrived around 2009-2010, adding citric acid to cherry, lemon, orange, grape, and green apple varieties.
DOTS developed holiday specialty products, including three Halloween variations: Ghost DOTS, Bat DOTS, and Candy Corn DOTS.
Christmas varieties feature seasonal color combinations like red/green or white/red.
Finally, Valentine's editions incorporate romantic flavors like passion fruit.
And in 2022, Tootsie Roll Industries introduced Watermelon DOTS, featuring a two-toned design with a red top and green base to look like a real watermelon.
According to Tootsie Roll Industries, DOTS has continuously maintained its position as "America's #1 selling gumdrop brand" since its 1945 launch.
The candy has held its market dominance for nearly eight decades.
DOTS has achieved this through consistent quality, strategic innovation, effective distribution, and cultural entrenchment—particularly through the movie theater connection.
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