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The largest candy brand in the U.S. is Hershey Company with a revenue of $10.419 billion.
As of 2023, the U.S. candy production industry has a market size of $13.5 billion.
The average American consumes an estimated 8.5 pounds of candy per year, with children consuming significantly more.
The global candy industry is projected to continue growing at a CAGR of 4.48% through 2027.
The U.S. confectionery industry was valued at over $22 billion in 2020, with over two-thirds of those sales originating from chocolate candy brands. As the landscape has evolved, so has the impact of e-commerce and changing consumer preferences.
Recent trends show that while traditional candy sales during holidays like Halloween experienced fluctuations, brands positioned well for online sales thrived. In light of these shifts, the overall growth of the U.S. candy industry was around 2.3% in recent years, indicative of a resilient market amidst changing dynamics.
This article provides an in-depth look at the current top ten candy brands in the U.S. by annual sales, detailing their histories, product lines, and market positions.
Largest Candy Brands in the United States by Revenue
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2023 Annual sales: $10.419 billion
The Hershey Bar is the most popular chocolate bar in the United States and serves as the flagship product of The Hershey Company.
Known as “The Great American Chocolate Bar,” Hershey’s offers a variety of bars in different flavors, including milk chocolate, chocolate with almonds, and Cookies ‘n’ Creme.
The unique taste of Hershey’s products is attributed to the patented Hershey Process, which includes milk lyophilization, contributing to its signature flavor.
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Kit Kat.
2023 Annual sales: $2.12 billion
Kit Kat is a chocolate-layered wafer candy produced by the Nestle Corporation globally and by H.B. Reese Candy Company in the U.S.
Each Kit Kat bar features three layers of wafers coated with chocolate, typically packaged in groups of two to four bars.
The brand continues to innovate with new flavors, such as the recent introductions of Raspberry Creme and Lemon Crisp, and has plans for a vegan version.
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2023 Annual sales: $2 billion
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, created in 1923, is a beloved American candy featuring a chocolate cup filled with peanut butter.
Now under Hershey’s ownership, Reese’s has become the brand’s best-selling product since 1969, dominating seasonal candy sales.
The brand’s slogan, “Not Sorry, Reese’s,” reflects its popularity and consumer loyalty.
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2023 Annual sales: $912 million
M&M’s are iconic multi-colored chocolate candies with a soft chocolate core and a hard shell, branded with a lowercase “m.”
Initially created in 1941, M&M’s were initially produced for the U.S. military during World War II. The brand has since expanded significantly, with various flavors and innovative marketing strategies featuring animated characters.
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Twix.
2023 Annual sales: $297 million
Twix, owned by Mars, Inc., features a shortbread cookie filled with caramel and coated in chocolate.
Produced primarily in Cleveland, Tennessee, Twix has remained a staple since its introduction in the U.S. in 1979. The brand has successfully engaged consumers through creative marketing campaigns.
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Twizzlers.
2023 Annual sales: $264 million
Twizzlers, produced by Y&S Candies, Inc. in Lancaster, Virginia, is a popular non-chocolate candy made from wheat flour, corn syrup, and sugar.
The brand’s most popular flavor is strawberry, making up about 70% of sales. Twizzlers has innovated with various shapes and flavors, maintaining a strong market presence.
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Skittles.
2023 Annual sales: $261 million
Skittles offer a vibrant assortment of fruit-flavored candies, known for their colorful hard shells and the slogan “Taste the Rainbow.”
Since their U.S. introduction in 1979, they have engaged consumers with avant-garde advertising strategies that include viral campaigns and unique promotions.
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Dove Bar.
2023 Annual sales: $192 million
Dove, known as Galaxy in several countries, is a chocolate brand established in 1956, now owned by Mars.
Dove products include a variety of chocolate offerings, and the brand is known for its inspirational messages found on wrappers.
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3 Musketeers.
2023 Annual sales: $187 million
3 Musketeers, another Mars brand, features a fluffy chocolate mousse center coated in chocolate. The brand has embraced modern marketing strategies tailored to appeal to younger consumers, utilizing social media platforms.
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Snickers.
2023 Annual sales: $381 million
Snickers, a classic chocolate bar from Mars, consists of nougat, caramel, and peanuts, and has been a favorite since 1930. The brand has successfully integrated itself into popular culture through various sponsorships and campaigns.
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Largest Candy Brands in the U.S. FAQ
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How many people are employed in the candy production industry in the U.S.?
There are 27,283 people employed in the Candy Production industry in the U.S. as of 2023. The number of people employed in this industry has grown steadily, with an average increase of 3.4% over the five years leading to 2023.
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Has the Candy Production industry in the U.S. grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Candy Production industry in the U.S. has grown by an average of 1.4% per year between 2018 and 2023. The global candy market is expected to continue its growth trajectory with a CAGR of 4.48% through 2027.
- Food Brands
- Largest Bread Brands
- Largest Bagel Brands
- Largest Candy Brands
- Largest Chocolate Brands
- Largest Cereal Brands
- Largest Frozen Dinner Brands
- Largest Mustard Brands
- Largest Mayonnaise Brands
- Largest Butter Brands
- Largest Peanut Butter Brands
- Largset Salty Snacks Brands
- Largest Soup Brands
- Largest Tomato Sauce Brands
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
