family business | Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery

Edward Dee, founder of Smarties, passes away at 95

Dee founded Smarties Candy Co. in 1949.

Alyse Thompson

November 26, 2019

Dee, a third-generation candy maker, founded Ce De Candy Inc. and began making Smarties candy rolls in 1949.

Smarties co-presidents take third-generation company into the future

Liz Dee, Sarah Dee and Jessica Dee Sawyer took over the reins in 2017.

Crystal Lindell

April 5, 2019

They have given the nearly 70-year-old family-run company a complete brand relift, updating the iconic Smarties logo.

Creo Chocolate connects with farmers, customers through chocolate

The Portland, Oregon-based bean-to-bar chocolate maker develops relationships through chocolate.

Alyse Thompson

March 19, 2019

The founders of Portland, Oregon-based Creo Chocolate focus on building relationships, both with quality-driven cocoa farmers and customers seeking a treat, a pick-me-up or a concerned listener.

Sugar Plum Chocolates built by mother-and-son team

Pennsylvania company on a mission to make the world sweeter.

February 14, 2019

Since its inception in 1995, Sugar Plum Chocolates has been a champion in the chocolate and confectionery industry, building not only a brand but a legacy.

Coover Caramels cultivates creativity

Coover Caramels founded with award-winning family recipe.

January 23, 2019

Ryan Coover never imagined he’d start as an architect, become a stay-at-home dad and then wind up as a successful candy maker — but that’s exactly what happened.

Elizabeth, Sue and Bill Foley own and operate The Chocolate Fetish.

Owners of The Chocolate Fetish chase chocolate-filled dreams

The company, RCI’s Spring Regional Conference host, serves Asheville, N.C., through charity, world-class chocolate.

Alyse Thompson

May 30, 2018

Owned and operated by Sue and Bill Foley, and their daughter, Elizabeth Foley, The Chocolate Fetish has evolved from a one-person hobby shop with a single display case to becoming one of the finest chocolatiers in the United States.

Just Born expands board of directors

Third-generation candy company seeks outside counsel to ensure continued growth.

Bernie Pacyniak

March 22, 2017

Bethlehem, Pa.-based Just Born Quality Confections has appointed five independent members to join existing members Ross Born and David Shaffer on its board of directors.

Just Born's website redesign communicates its commitment to quality and transparency.

Just Born revamps website

The redesign communicates the company's commitment to quality and transparency.

Abigail Watt

May 18, 2016

Just Born Quality Confections, maker of brands like Peeps, Mike and Ike, and Hot Tamales, has launched a redesign of its corporate website.

A 'Birnn' Desire: An inside look at Birnn Chocolates of Vermont, and the family that runs it

Fourth-generation family member Julia Birnn Fields and her husband Mel take over from famed confectioners Jeff and Bill Birnn, anxious to usher in the famed Vermont-based chocolatier into the next centennial.

Bernie Pacyniak

February 25, 2016

"In the end, the company has been in the business for 100 years, and customers really appreciate the fact that the fourth generation is taking over," say Julia Birnn Fields.