Chicago Candy Company Acquiring Jelly Belly

A Chicago-area candy company is adding a classic American brand to its portfolio. Ferrara Candy Company, which owns dozens of confectionery brands like Nerds, Butterfinger and Laffy Taffy, is adding Jelly Belly to that list. The companies announced the merge last week, though terms won’t likely be made public until the end of the year. Jelly Belly has roots in Belleville, Illinois, when it began in 1869 as the Goelitz Confectionary Company — it moved operations to California in the 1920s. Candystore-dot-com says buttered popcorn is the most popular Jelly Belly flavor, followed by black licorice and cinnamon.