6) Hershey’s (U.S.A.) $7.04 billion
This candy maker is an iconic American chocolate company. Launched in 1886 when Milton Hershey founded the Lancaster Caramel Company in Lancaster.
Milton had been experimenting with a process to add a chocolate coating to his caramel candy.
Finally in 1894, he succeeded after years of struggle thus The Hershey Chocolate Company was born.
The company had the inspiration to sell his caramel business to concentrate on chocolate as a standardized, solid form that was easy to make and convenient for consumers.
The result was the immortal Hershey bar which has been around since 1900 and is literally as American as apple pie.
In 1907 he produced the Hershey’s Kiss, being so far immersed in the product he even personally designed its trademark shape and packaging.
With famous products like Whoppers Malted Balls, Twizzlers, Tastations, York Peppermint Patties, Sweet Escapes and Reese’s Pieces, Hershey’s is among the largest candy makers in the United States, pulling in over $7 billion this year alone.
