Which companies make the softest, most flavorful gummy bears in the USA? Which manufacturers produce domestically at scale and which focus on organic or better-for-you recipes? Are household names the best choice for retailers, bulk buyers, or consumers seeking premium texture and clean labels?
This article profiles those five manufacturers, compares their strengths—heritage, production footprint, product range, and clean-label options—and offers practical buying tips, so read on to discover which gummy bear maker best fits your needs.
1. Haribo
Company Profile:
HARIBO is the century-old German confectionery brand best known as the inventor of the Goldbears gummy — a global leader in fruit gummies and licorice with a broad portfolio of gummi products and more than 1,000 SKUs worldwide. HARIBO was founded by Hans Riegel in 1920 and has grown into a multi-generation family business recognized for consistent texture, flavor and mass-market gummy innovations.
HARIBO’s U.S. operations play a central role in serving the American market: the company relocated its U.S. corporate headquarters to Rosemont, Illinois, and in 2023 opened its first-ever North American manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin to produce Goldbears and other gummi lines for U.S. distribution. HARIBO has continued to expand its U.S. logistics footprint to support faster delivery and national retail supply.
Establishment: 1920
Headquarters: Grafschaft, Germany
Main Products:
- Goldbears (classic gummy bears)
- Assorted fruit gummies
- Gummy worms
- Gummy novelties and seasonal gummy SKUs
2. Albanese Confectionery
Company Profile:
Albanese Confectionery Group is a U.S.-based, family-owned confectioner known for its premium gummy line and emphasis on texture and flavor precision. The company builds its reputation on closely controlled production processes and a consumer-focused approach that highlights chewy consistency and bright, true-to-fruit flavors.
Albanese manufactures domestically in Indiana and has grown from a regional candy maker into a nationally distributed supplier. Its Hobart production facility supports retail, bulk and e-commerce channels across the United States, and the brand is recognized among retailers and consumers for high-quality gummy bears and other gummy confections.
Establishment: 1983
Headquarters: Hobart, Indiana, USA
Main Products:
- Gummy bears (classic and assorted flavors)
- Gummy worms and gummy rings
- Chocolate-covered gummies and filled gummies
- Bulk gummy assortments for retail and foodservice
3. Ferrara Candy Company
Company Profile:
Ferrara Candy Company is a major American confectionery manufacturer with origins tracing back to Ferrara Pan Candy, founded in 1908. Over decades the business expanded through acquisitions and mergers to become a wide-ranging candy group known for classic sugar confections and high-volume seasonal offerings.
In the United States, Ferrara operates multiple manufacturing plants and national distribution channels, producing gummy lines under prominent sub-brands such as Trolli and Black Forest. Headquartered in Chicago, Ferrara supplies grocery, convenience and e-commerce channels nationwide and is recognized as one of the largest producers of gummy and starch-based confections in the U.S. market.
Establishment: 1908
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Main Products:
- Trolli gummy bears, gummy worms and sour gummy varieties
- Black Forest gummy bears and fruit-forward gummy snacks
- Assorted mass-market gummies and seasonal gummy assortments
4. Jelly Belly Candy Company
Company Profile:
Jelly Belly Candy Company is an iconic American confectioner best known for its gourmet jelly beans and a diverse lineup of novelty and classic candies. With deep roots in U.S. candy-making traditions, the company built a reputation for flavor innovation and high-quality confectionery products. Jelly Belly expanded its portfolio over time to include a range of gummi and gummy offerings that complement its flagship jelly beans.
Jelly Belly’s Fairfield, California operations serve as a major U.S. manufacturing and visitor hub: the company produces gummy lines domestically (including classic gummi bears, organic and sugar-free gummies) and operates a well-known factory and museum that draw tourists and buyers alike. Jelly Belly’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and national distribution channels ensure wide retail presence across grocery, specialty, and online markets, reinforcing its influence in the American gummy and novelty candy segments.
Establishment: 1898
Headquarters: Fairfield, California, USA
Main Products:
- Gummy bears (classic fruit-flavored gummi bears)
- Organic and sugar-free gummy lines
- Novelty gummy shapes and seasonal gummy assortments
- Jelly Belly jelly beans and related confectionery products
5. The Hershey Company
Company Profile:
The Hershey Company is a leading American confectioner founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894, best known for iconic chocolate brands and an expanding portfolio of fruity confections. With a long history in U.S. candy-making, Hershey combines large-scale manufacturing capability with frequent product innovation across mainstream retail channels.
In the United States, Hershey develops and distributes gummy products under well-known labels—most notably JOLLY RANCHER Gummies—and has multiple manufacturing and distribution sites that support nationwide retail, seasonal, and promotional gummy launches. Recent product activity shows Hershey broadening its gummy assortment with new formats and co-branded releases, strengthening its influence in the U.S. gummy market.
Establishment: 1894
Headquarters: Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
Main Products:
- JOLLY RANCHER Gummies (assorted fruit-flavored gummies).
- JOLLY RANCHER Sour & novelty gummy SKUs.
- Limited-edition and co-branded gummy launches (seasonal and promotional gummies).
Conclusion
The U.S. gummy bear industry continues to thrive, led by trusted names such as HARIBO, Albanese, Ferrara, Jelly Belly, and Hershey. Each brand contributes to the market with unique strengths — from traditional craftsmanship and large-scale production to innovative, health-conscious formulations.
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