FAIRFIELD, Calif. — A Chicago company will be taking over a family-owned staple in Fairfield, Jelly Belly.
Ferrara Candy Company announced the agreement to acquire Jelly Belly through CTH Invest. Financial terms of the deal weren't released.
“As we considered the future of Jelly Belly Candy Company, we have been steadfast in our commitment to create a win-win situation for our employees, consumers, and products,” said Herman Rowland, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jelly Belly. “When I met with the Ferrara team, I recognized a like-minded group that shares our knowledge and passion for the candy business and has the talent and resources to grow our products and the careers of our people around the world. I am confident of the continued success of Jelly Belly as part of the Ferrara portfolio.”
The acquisition will see Jelly Belly's more than 100 flavors of jelly beans and gourmet candies combined with Ferrara's portfolio of candies. Jelly Belly, headquartered in Fairfield, is renowned for their jelly beans and many other confections, and Ferrara, headquartered in Chicago, is known for brands such as Black Forest, NERDS, SweeTARTS and Trolli.
After the deal closes, nearly 800 global Jelly Belly employees and the company's facilities in California, Illinois and Thailand will be part of the Ferrara organization. The chief executive officer will be Jeff Brown, the current executive vice president of Global Operations and Distribution for Jelly Belly.
The Jelly Belly company was founded in Illinois in 1869 and has been family-owned and operated for multiple generations by the Rowland candy-making family.
“Since our inception almost a century and a half ago, Jelly Belly Candy Company has been focused on providing exciting new flavors and continuous innovation, and we are extremely proud of the deep affinity we’ve built with our fans around the world,” said Lisa Brasher, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jelly Belly. “Ferrara’s interest reflects the substantial value of our storied brand, built on our team’s many successes, and the opportunity to drive continued growth. We look forward to being a part of this impressive company.”
The deal is expected to close by the end of 2023 and is subject to certain closing conditions.
ABC10 reached out to Jelly Belly for additional information however no addition details were available. The PR team for Jelly Belly said the acquisition is still being finalized.
Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy said she heard about the sale Wednesday morning from the company.
"This was shocking, and surprising. And I got a little bit nervous in my stomach about it because Jelly Belly is huge for Fairfield for a number of reasons," said Moy.
She shared the news online, and many people were worried that things could change regarding the company.
"We want it to stay the way it is... everything about it is great. They're great neighbors. They take good care of our people here by having all kinds of free dinners and so on to raise for nonprofits. They are what you want in a corporate neighbor," said Moy.
She said people have no reason to be scared for their jobs. She was told by management that things aren't expected to change when it comes to employment.
"I asked if the management would stay in place and then everybody else who worked for Jelly Belly. John Jamison told me that the answer is yes, that they don't plan on changing anything as far as employment, they will all still have their jobs," said Moy.
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