Fannie May facts for kids
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | 1920 in Chicago, U.S. |
| Founder | H. Teller Archibald |
| Products | Chocolate bars, bonbons |
| Parent | Ferrero SpA (2017–) |
Fannie May Confection Brands, Inc. is an American company that makes chocolate. It is based in Chicago and is currently owned by a large company called Ferrero SpA.
Fannie May makes many different kinds of chocolates. These include caramels, chocolate bars, and boxed chocolates. They also make some candies for people with allergies, like those who can't eat gluten or milk. Many of their chocolates are also certified kosher.
History
Starting Out
The very first Fannie May shop opened in 1920. It was started by Henry Teller Archibald in Chicago. At first, the shop mainly sold creamy buttercream candies.
Through the Years
During World War II, it became hard to find some ingredients for Fannie May's chocolates. But the company made sure they did not change their recipes. This meant their candies always stayed high quality.
In the mid-1980s, Fannie May started opening stores in other states, like Missouri. By the end of that decade, there were over 250 Fannie May stores. Most of these were in the Midwest.
In 1992, the company bought another chocolate maker called Fanny Farmer. This added 200 more stores, mostly in the northeastern United States.
Changes and New Owners
Buying Fanny Farmer was a big step, but it caused problems for the company. They ended up closing many stores and faced financial difficulties.
In 2004, a company called Alpine Confections bought Fannie May. They combined Fanny Farmer with Fannie May. Production of the chocolates then moved to Ohio. Fannie May reopened in October 2004 with 45 stores.
In 2006, Fannie May was sold to 1-800-Flowers.com. This company sells gifts online. The chocolates kept being made in Ohio, but Fannie May's main office stayed in Chicago.
Then, in March 2017, a big Italian chocolate company called Ferrero SpA bought Fannie May. Ferrero hoped to sell Fannie May chocolates to more people across the country.
Popular Chocolates
Fannie May has introduced many popular chocolates over the years:
- 1920: Buttercreams were the first candies introduced.
- 1946: The Pixie was created. This chocolate quickly became the company's most popular candy.
- 1963: The Mint Meltaway was introduced. It's a mix of dark chocolate and peppermint, covered in more chocolate.
- 1972: The Trinidad was added. This is a dark truffle covered in white chocolate and toasted coconut.
- 1992: The Carmarsh came out. It's a tasty mix of caramel, marshmallow, and chocolate.
