Tootsie Roll
The Tootsie Roll brand has a rich history dating back to 1896, when Leo Hirshfield, an Austrian immigrant, invented it. The candy was named after Hirshfield's daughter, Clara, who was affectionately called "Tootsie."
The original recipe required incorporating a bit of the previous day's batch into each new batch, a practice that continues to this day. Thus, every Tootsie Roll produced since then contains a bit of the very first Tootsie Roll.
Hirshfield sold hand-wrapped candies at a small Brooklyn store before expanding production to a four-story building in Manhattan. The brand faced challenges after Hirshfield's suicide in 1922 but was eventually acquired by its packaging company, Joseph Rubin & Sons of Brooklyn, in 1935. This acquisition led to the invention of the Tootsie Pop, a hard-shelled lollipop with a Tootsie Roll center, during the Great Depression.
Tootsie Roll Industries has since grown into one of the largest candy manufacturers in the world, producing millions of pieces of candy every day. The company is known for its strategic acquisitions, which have expanded its product line and market reach.
Notable acquisitions include Mason and Stuckey’s in 1969 and the addition of various other brands like Charms, Blow Pops, and Junior Mints. The company's headquarters is located on the South Side of Chicago, with operations in Massachusetts, New York, and a factory in Mexico City.
The Tootsie Roll's unique texture and taste, described as a perfectly balanced cocoa flavor with a subtle fruit undertone, have made it a beloved treat. The candy is notable for being one of the first penny candies on the market. It is still sold in classic form and variations like Midgees and Junior Mints. The company also produces other products, including the famous Tootsie Pops, Dots, and Charms Mini Pops.
The brand has maintained its popularity over the years, partly due to its classic status and ability to adapt to changing consumer tastes and preferences. The company has implemented various initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the candy industry.