Ferrara Candy Company Drives Innovation and Growth With Revitalized Iconic Brands

Red Hots and Now and Later Brands Introduce Cutting Edge Flavors and Chewy Offerings


OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL--(Marketwired - May 2, 2016) - Ferrara Candy Company, the largest non-chocolate manufacturer in the U.S., is known for combining tradition with innovation to deliver confections people love. The company's investment in research and development has led to the revitalization of its iconic brands, including Red Hots and Now and Later, through new unique flavor profiles, chewy offerings and packaging design updates.

"Our iconic brands have built up strong equity, but it's important to adapt and change to stay relevant with today's consumers," said Jamie Mattikow, Chief Commercial Officer, Ferrara Candy Company. "Our new Red Hots and Now and Later offerings tap into consumers' increasing interest in sour and intense flavors in a chewy format."

Updates to Red Hots were made based on marketplace trends showing Generation Z and Millennials have an increased desire for hot and spicy flavors and chewy formats. The traditional cinnamon flavored hard candies are now available in three new hot and spicy flavor combinations and feature new packaging. Kick'n Mango Lime provides the perfect combination of heat meets sweet with mango, lime and habanero. Sizzling Sour draws inspiration from the traditional tamarind flavor that provides a spicy yet tangy, sour profile. Dark Chocolate Red Hots bring together dark chocolate with the traditional cinnamon Red Hots heat consumers know and love.

Now and Later was originally sold in just three flavors, but today's consumers enjoy 23 flavor variations ranging from the traditional to the extreme. The candies also come in three long-lasting formats -- Original, Chewy and 2 flavors-in-1 Splits. To expand the offering, the Ferrara R&D team focused on developing flavors that deliver an extreme sour flavor in a chewy format. The result is new Now and Later Extreme Sour fruit chews, the first super sour taffy in the category available in Watermelon, Apple and Cherry.

Ferrara's new offerings and engaging packaging are resonating well with consumers. "As a result of our research and new product development, sales are strong and growing for both brands," continued Mattikow. "Now and Later sales are currently up 13% and Red Hot sales are up 7% compared to the overall non-chocolate confectionery category which is posting at +4.4%."

Ferrara Candy Company's iconic brands are available at most retailers nationwide including grocery, drug, and dollar stores. For more information on Now and Later, visit www.NowandLater.com. Check out Now and Later on Facebook and Twitter (@NowAnLaterCandy). For more information on Red Hots, visit www.RedHots.com. Check out Red Hots on Twitter (@RedHotsCandy).

About Ferrara Candy Company, Inc.
Headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., Ferrara Candy Company is a leading general line candy manufacturer, created by the merger of Ferrara Pan Candy Company, Inc. and Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. in 2012. The Company manufactures a robust portfolio of branded and private label confections that consumers love. For more information, please visit the company's website, www.ferrarausa.com.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Kelly Jones
kjones@legendpr.com
(646)459-9652

New Red Hots and Now and Later products