Brach's

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Brach's Confections (pronounced /bɹɑks/; rhymes with "socks") is a candy and sweets company which produces and invented many modern icons of the sugary world; it is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. In November 2007, Brach's Confections was sold to Farley's & Sathers Candy Company and the corporate office moved to Round Lake, Minnesota.

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[edit] History

Brach's Confections was founded in 1904 by Emil J. Brach, a son of German immigrants who had recently invested in a candy factory which had failed. He decided that he could do a better job of it himself, opening a candy store and factory in Chicago.

The company is also credited with "inventing" several marketing techniques, such as barrel displays, glass candy counters, and the adaptation of old general store-type bulk purchasing to modern supermarkets with "pick-a-mix", a self-serve set of open candy containers which allows customers to scoop candy into bags to be sold by the pound.

The company was sold in 1966 to American Home Products, becoming the Brach's division of that company. In 1987, the Brach's division was bought by Jacobs Suchard. Jacobs Suchard was sold in 1990 to Phillip Morris except for Brach's, which was retained by Klaus J. Jacobs in the transaction.

Brach's was also owned at one point, and recently sold by Barry Callebaut USA, LLC. As of November 16, 2007, the company is owned by Farley's & Sathers.

[edit] Types

The company's first product was caramels, which it produced through a process which allowed it to underprice competition, creating a large demand. This product is still a company mainstay to the present day. Now they sell many sweet candies.

[edit] Brach's Rocks

Brach's Rocks were a pebble-shaped candy introduced in 1992.[Encyclopedia of Consumer Brands, Janice Jorgensen (C)1993, page 68] They had the coloring and appearance of granite, with fruity, chewy centers.

They were advertised in commercials by a dinosaur character named Rocky D, "Dinosaur Extraordinaire", who was shown popping them into his mouth. Rocky D wore sunglasses and a red jersey with the letters BR on it. Kids' love of dinosaurs was the inspiration for this character and candy.[1] Laughing Dog developed the dinosaur character and the graphics.[Digital Portfolio: 26 Design Portfolios Unzipped', Anne T. McKenna (C) 2000, page 111] The package had transparent panels so those looking at the packages in a store could see the rocks inside.[2]

Brach's Rocks were frequently advertised in Ren and Stimpy comics.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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