American Licorice Company

American Licorice Company
Company typePrivate
IndustryFood
Founded1914[1]
Headquarters
Websitewww.americanlicorice.com

American Licorice Company is an American candy manufacturer founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1914, and headquartered in La Porte, Indiana.[2][3] The company has manufacturing facilities in Union City, California and La Porte.[1]

History[edit]

In 1925, the company began West operations in San Francisco, California.[4] That same year, it produced a set of licorice shoes for Charlie Chaplin's character to eat in the film The Gold Rush.[2]

In 1971, the San Francisco facility relocated to Union City, California.[2][4]

In November 1999, American Licorice Co. joined with Ferrara Pan, Spangler, Goetze's, and NECCO to form the Candy Alliance LLC. The Alliance works to promote the mutual interests involved, through the coordination of ingredient purchasing to get lower prices, the creation of cooperative marketing and distribution programs, and the cross-licensing and development of joint products.[5]

In 2008, The Food Network program Unwrapped featured a four-minute segment on the making of Sour Punch straws. As of 2008, American Licorice Company also manufactures the Sour Extinguishers brand of candy.[citation needed]

In 2011, workers at the American Licorice Company went on strike to maintain their healthcare benefits.[6]

On 22 August 2012 the company recalled one pound bags of Red Vines Black Licorice Twists due to traces of lead.[7][8]

On June 28, 2023, it was announced that American Licorice would merge with Seattle-based Theo Chocolate.[9]

Brands[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "About". American Licorice Company. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  2. ^ a b c "Candy"; Modern Marvels; History Channel; 2006; Viewed July 15, 2010.
  3. ^ "Contact". www.americanlicorice.com. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b Company history page Archived 2016-06-13 at the Wayback Machine at American Licorice Company's official site
  5. ^ "Company History". American Licorice Company. Archived from the original on 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  6. ^ Arrieta, Rose (2012-01-09). "Trouble in Candyland: American Licorice Workers Strike Over Healthcare Benefits". Retrieved 2019-09-04.
  7. ^ "Red Vines Black Licorice Recall Notice". American Licorice Company. 22 August 2012. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  8. ^ Aleccia, JoNel. "Black licorice recall grows; high lead levels blamed". NBC News. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Theo Chocolate to close Seattle factory, announces job cuts, merger". 29 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-29.

External links[edit]