Origins of Jolly Rancher

The Jolly Rancher Company

Jolly Rancher was born in 1949 when Bill and Dorothy Harmsen founded the Jolly Rancher Company. The name was chosen to embody the friendly and welcoming spirit of a Western company. The first Jolly Rancher Ice Cream Store was opened in Golden, Colorado, and the brand quickly diversified into candies to maintain sales during the winter months when ice cream was less popular.

Trademark and Expansion

The Jolly Rancher Company filed for a trademark on March 31, 1958, and the first commercial use of the Jolly Rancher word mark was recorded as being on June 1, 1960. The company's popularity rose, especially due to their hot cinnamon taffy stick, prompting an expansion of their hard candy line.

Ownership Transitions

In 1966, the company was sold to Beatrice Foods but remained under the operation of Bill Harmsen. Later, in 1983, Leaf, Inc. acquired Jolly Rancher along with a number of other candy brands. Fast-forward to 1996, The Hershey Company purchased the North American confectionery brands of Leaf, Inc., including Jolly Rancher.

The Jolly Rancher Today

Production Shifts

In 2002, Hershey moved the manufacturing of the candy from Colorado to Mexico for cost-saving reasons. Later in 2014, Hershey acquired Ontario-based company The Allan Candy Co. and shifted the candy manufacturing to the Granby plant, in Quebec, Canada.

The Flavors of Jolly Rancher

Original Flavors

The original flavors of Jolly Rancher were watermelon, apple, and fire stix. Over time, new flavors like cherry, orange tangerine, lemon, grape, peach, and sour apple were introduced. Blue raspberry eventually replaced lemon.

Current Flavors

As of now, the brand offers a range of flavors including cherry, blue raspberry, grape, green apple, and watermelon. There are also sour, cinnamon, and smoothie varieties. Special flavors have been introduced in various variety bags like the "Fruity Bash" and "Hotties". The brand also launched a tropical variety bag featuring fruit punch, golden pineapple, lime, and mango flavors in 2020.

Jolly Rancher Product Variations

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, a sweet hard candy defined by fruity flavors, is made from highly concentrated sugar solutions, giving them a crystallized, glassy appearance. They are sold in assorted bags with individually wrapped pieces.

Jolly Rancher Gummies

Jolly Rancher Gummies are soft and chewy gummy candies in the classic fruit flavors: green apple, blue raspberry, cherry, grape, and watermelon. They are perfect for car trips, beach visits, and office desk drawers.

Jolly Rancher Chews

Jolly Rancher Chews are another variation that puts your teeth to work. They are available in cherry, watermelon, blue raspberry, green apple, and strawberry flavors.

Nutritional Information

Caloric Content of Jolly Rancher Varieties

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy contains 70 calories per serving, while the Gummies have 100 calories per serving. The Chews contain the highest calories per serving at 120.

Ingredients

Common ingredients across all varieties include sugar and corn syrup. The Hard Candy also contains malic acid, natural flavor, artificial flavor, and colorants. Gummies contain similar ingredients with the addition of modified cornstarch, sodium citrate, mineral oil, carnauba wax, and limonene. The Chews contain additional ingredients like palm oil, gelatin, glyceryl monostearate, and lecithin.

Conclusion

From its humble origins to becoming a well-loved candy brand worldwide, Jolly Rancher's journey is a testament to innovation and adaptability. Its wide range of flavors and varieties cater to a broad spectrum of taste preferences, making it a popular choice for candy lovers of all ages.

FAQs

Who founded Jolly Rancher? 

Jolly Rancher was founded by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen in 1949​.

What were the original flavors of Jolly Rancher?

The original flavors of Jolly Rancher were watermelon, apple, and fire stix​.

What are the current flavors of Jolly Rancher?

The current flavors of Jolly Rancher include cherry, blue raspberry, grape, green apple, and watermelon. There are also sour, cinnamon, and smoothie varieties, and some limited edition flavors like the tropical variety bag featuring fruit punch, golden pineapple, lime, and mango flavors​.

What are the different product variations of Jolly Rancher?

Jolly Rancher offers different product variations including Hard Candy, Gummies, and Chews. The Hard Candy is a sweet, fruity candy with a crystallized, glassy appearance. The Gummies are soft and chewy candies in the classic fruit flavors, while the Chews are another variation that are available in multiple fruit flavors​.

How many calories are there in Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Gummies, and Chews?

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy contains 70 calories per serving, Gummies have 100 calories per serving, and Chews contain 120 calories per serving​.

What are the ingredients in Jolly Rancher candies?

The ingredients in Jolly Rancher candies commonly include sugar and corn syrup. The Hard Candy also contains malic acid, natural flavor, artificial flavor, and colorants. Gummies contain similar ingredients with the addition of modified cornstarch, sodium citrate, mineral oil, carnauba wax, and limonene. The Chews contain additional ingredients like palm oil, gelatin, glyceryl monostearate, and lecithin.