See's Candies facts for kids
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Trade name
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See's Candies |
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Retail and candy |
| Founded | November 1921 |
| Founder | Charles See |
| Headquarters |
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U.S.
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Key people
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Pat Egan (CEO) |
| Products | Chocolate, candy, brittle |
| Revenue | US$ $410 million (2016) |
| US$ over $80 million (2019) | |
| Owner | Berkshire Hathaway |
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Number of employees
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1,500 year-round, 6,000+ seasonal |
See's Candies is a famous American company that makes and sells delicious candy, especially chocolates. It was started in Los Angeles in 1921 by Charles See, his wife Florence, and his mother Mary. The company's main office is now in South San Francisco, California.
See's Candies makes its treats in kitchens located at its headquarters and also at its first factory in Los Angeles. You can find their retail shops in these locations too. Since 1972, the company has been owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Corporation.
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Where You Can Find See's Candies
See's Candies mostly sells its yummy products in its own stores. You can also find them at stores owned by Nebraska Furniture Mart, which is another company under Berkshire Hathaway.
Stores Across the United States
See's Candies has more than 200 stores in many states across the U.S. Most of these stores are in California, making up over 70% of all See's locations. You can find these shops in shopping centers, as stand-alone stores, and even inside airport terminals.
International Locations and Online Sales
Beyond the U.S., See's Candies also has stores in places like Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea. If you're not near a store, you can still get their candy! See's sells its products directly to customers through mail order catalogs and online. This helps them make sure the candy is always fresh when it reaches you.
Seasonal Sales and Special Events
During certain times of the year, especially around the holidays, See's Candies sets up special kiosks in malls and other shopping areas. This makes it easy for more people to buy their treats. In 2020, See's Candies opened a new store in Abu Dhabi.
See's Candies had to pause its operations in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was the first time they had to stop making candy since World War II. Back then, it was hard to get sugar and other ingredients. The company started making candy again a month later, after putting new safety rules in place.
The Sweet History of See's Candies
The story of See's Candies began in 1921. Charles Alexander See II came to the United States from Canada with his wife Florence and his mother Mary. Mary See was the one who created the delicious candy recipes. She developed these recipes while helping run her husband's hotel in Canada.
Opening the First Shops
In November 1921, the See family opened their very first See's Candies shop and kitchen in Los Angeles. They quickly became popular! By the mid-1920s, they had 12 shops. Even during the Great Depression, they managed to keep 30 shops open.
In 1936, See's opened a shop in San Francisco. They later moved some of their candy-making operations to South San Francisco, California. This was because the cooler weather there was perfect for making creams and truffles, which made up a big part of their sales.
Becoming Part of Berkshire Hathaway
In 1972, the See family sold the company to Berkshire Hathaway for $25 million. Warren Buffett has called See's "the prototype of a dream business." This means it was a perfect example of a great business to own.
Charlie Munger, who worked closely with Warren Buffett, once shared that See's was the first high-quality business Berkshire Hathaway ever bought. Before See's, they usually looked for companies that were undervalued. Buying See's taught them the importance of buying businesses with a strong reputation and a well-known brand.
Ingredients and World Records
See's Candies uses special chocolate called "couverture" chocolate, which comes from the nearby Guittard Chocolate Company. Their nuts come from Mariani Nut Company.
On June 20, 2012, See's Candies made history! They were recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the world's largest lollipop. This giant chocolate lollipop weighed an amazing 7,003 pounds! It was about 4 feet 8 inches long, 3 feet 6 inches wide, and 5 feet 11 inches high. That's like 145,000 regular-sized lollipops all in one!
See also
In Spanish: See's Candies para niños
