4 min read
A short timeline of The Hershey Company and major milestones:
FOUNDING & EARLY INNOVATIONS (1894–1930S)
1894: Lancaster Caramel Company
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.
1900: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar
The iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar is launched, bringing affordable milk chocolate to the masses.
1903: Hershey, Pennsylvania
The world’s largest chocolate factory is built in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. This leads to the establishment of Hershey, PA.
1905: Milton Hershey School
Milton Hershey establishes the Milton Hershey School for underprivileged children via the Hershey Trust.
1907: Hershey’s Kisses
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.
1908: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds
The debut of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds, the candy bar emphasizes quality control for nuts.
1925: Mr. Goodbar
Mr. Goodbar is released; it’s a milk chocolate bar with peanuts.
1926: Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup is launched, expanding beyond solid chocolate.
1928: Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips are introduced for baking, though they are initially marketed as “chocolate wafers.”
MID-CENTURY EXPANSION & DIVERSIFICATION (1930S–1980S)
1938: Krackel
Krackel, a crispy rice milk chocolate bar, is launched.
1942: Ration D Bars
The Hershey Company begins producing Ration D Bars for WWII troops—a non-melting, nutrient-dense chocolate bar.
1956: H.B. Reese Candy Company
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).
1963: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups goes national
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has become a national brand and number one-selling chocolate bar.
1968: Hershey Foods Corporation
Hershey Company rebranded itself as Hershey Foods Corporation after diversifying into pasta and snacks.
1970s: International Expansion
Hershey expands globally, opening its first overseas plant in Canada (1970) and acquiring Cadbury’s U.S. operations (1988), including Cadbury Creme Eggs.
1977: Twizzlers
Twizzlers is launched under the Hershey brand (acquired via Y&S Licorice), a chewy licorice brand.
1988: Almond Joy & Mounds
The popular Almond Joy and Mounds candy bars are acquired.
MODERN ERA & GLOBAL GROWTH (1990S–PRESENT)
1996: Leaf North America
The company acquires Leaf North America, adding Jolly Rancher, Whoppers, and Payday to its portfolio. Hershey discontinued other candy bar s like Bar None to make way for these more popular candies.
2005: The Hershey Company
The company rebranded itself as The Hershey Company in order to focus on confectionery and snacks.
2012: CocoaLink
CocoaLink is launched in Ghana to support sustainable cocoa farming.
2017: Michele Buck
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.
2018: Amplify Snack Brands
Hershey buys Amplify Snack Brands, which includes SkinnyPop popcorn and Pirate’s Booty.
2020: 100% certified sustainable cocoa
The chocolate company achieves a 100% certified sustainable cocoa sourcing goal.
2021: Lily’s Sweets
Lily’s Sweets, a low-sugar, plant-based confectionery brand, has been acquired.
2022: Hershey Zero Sugar Candy
Hershey Zero Sugar Candy and plant-based oat chocolate is released under Reese’s and Hershey’s brands.
2024: Sour Strips
They acquired Sour Strips, a sour candy brand, and rejected a $50B acquisition bid by Mondelēz International.