Frankford Candy marks key 75th anniversary with special promotion

US-based confectionery group Frankford Candy has been celebrating its 75th anniversary with a special 12 days of holiday giveaways to mark its major milestone, reports Neill Barston.

The initiative, which runs until Christmas Day, features a key promotion of commemorative candy goodies reflecting its heritage in business over more than seven decades.

As the company relayed, it was first established in 1947 and headquartered in Philadelphia, and is now rated within the top 20 in the confections industry and is one of the largest manufacturers and marketers of licensed confections and gifts in the region.

The company was founded by Sam Himmelstein after World War II and sugar rations were lifted. With many confectionery companies having gone out of business during World War II, he saw an opportunity to make his own chocolate, focusing initially on seasonal items like Easter Rabbits. Business soon began to explode as distribution expanded to retailers such Kmart, Woolworth, G.C. Murphy and McCrory.

In 1998, Frankford Candy entered the licensing industry through partnerships with Peter Pan, Curious George and Woody Woodpecker and began to expand its product line beyond chocolate into new categories, beginning with jelly pops. At the time, licensed products were primarily found at department store chains, so Frankford Candy saw an opportunity to bring licensed brands to mass retailers and differentiate its offerings.

Today, Frankford Candy has a broad portfolio of everyday and seasonal candy and gift products, spanning chocolate, gummies, jelly beans, marshmallow, plush and more. It continues to partner with the most respected companies in the entertainment and food industry to bring iconic brands and characters into the candy aisle.

In addition, the company is also celebrating its key anniversary with charitable donations – including gifting $160,000 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Since 2017, Frankford Candy has hosted an annual “Sweets for Smiles CHOP Fundraiser,” raising more than $400,000 over the past six years to help kids in need of care. Frankford Candy also regularly donates candy and toy baskets to local hospitals throughout the year.

“Since our founding 75 years ago in 1947, we’ve been on a mission to make people smile by creating delicious, innovative, high-quality candy that people love year after year,” said Stuart Selarnick, Frankford Candy chief executive officer. “From seasonal family favourites like our Chocolate Easter Rabbits and OREO® Dunk Gift Sets to everyday items such as Krabby Patties under licensing partnerships with some of the most iconic brands in the entertainment and food industries, we look forward to continuing to innovate and bring more sweetness and joy to consumers for years to come.”

Each of the daily giveaways will feature different themed bundles full of treats, along with a commemorative 75th anniversary candy dish. The 12 days of giveaway include: bundles on December 23 with a Halloween-themed gift series features Gummy Body Parts, a Skull Hot Chocolate BOMB and SpongeBob Krabby Patties from Frankford Candy.
For Dec. 24, the giveaway focuses on everyday treats gift bundle features favorite Frankford candy items sold year-round, such as Fruity Pebbles,  Candy Bars, SpongeBob SquarePants Krabby Patties and Gummy lunchables. For Christmas day itself, the company is offering a holiday-themed gift bundle features a variety of sweet treats that make for great gifts or stocking fillers. For a chance to win the bundles, visit Frankford Candy’s Instagram page until December 25.