| Goetze's Candy Company, Inc. | |
| Type: | Private |
| Founder: | August Goetze William Goetze |
| Location: | 3900 E Monument St, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Area Served: | United States |
| Key People: | Mitchell Goetze (CEO) |
| Products: | Caramel Creams, Cow Tales |
| Owner: | Goetze family |
| Num Employees: | 120 (2021) |
| Revenue: | US $25-$100 million |
| Revenue Year: | 2022 |
Goetze's Candy Company, Inc. (pronounced gets) is an American confectionery company based in Baltimore, Maryland specializing in caramel-based candies. Goetze's was established in 1895 as the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company by August Goetze and his son, William. In 1917, the family developed a soft, caramel candy (known as "Chu-ees"[1]) which ultimately evolved into their signature candy, Caramel Creams (also known as Bull's Eyes), a soft chewy caramel with cream filling in the center.[1] Each candy is packaged in a predominantly clear wrapper and twisted at two red and white ends.[2]
In addition to its signature caramel candy, the company also makes a different style of its classic caramel candy, Cow Tales. Goetze's Cow Tales were originally launched in the year 1984.[3] Cow Tales are similar to the Caramel Creams, but in the form of a long, thin cylinder of soft caramel with a cream center.[4] Cow Tales are also produced in Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Caramel Apple, and Honey Bun flavors. In addition, the company offers Mini Cow Tales, a bite-sized version of Vanilla Cow Tales, Goetze's number-one selling 25-cent item.[5]
Over the years, the company experimented with several flavors, such as peanut butter and banana., the Caramel Creams lineup included "Original" (Vanilla), Chocolate, Strawberry, and Caramel Apple flavors.[6]
According to the manufacturer, Goetze's caramels have always been made with a low fat, low sodium, no cholesterol recipe and are made with wheat flour, dairy milk and cream ingredients.
In 1984, R. Melvin Goetze, a third-generation family member (who joined the company in 1935), was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame by the National Confectionery Sales Association of America.[7] Spaulding A. Goetze Sr. was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in 1998.[8] Rick LaRue, Goetze's former National Sales Manager, was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame while working at Goetze's, in October 2006.[9] and Tony Gazzola, one of Goetze's Regional Sales Managers, was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame while working at Goetze's, in October 2007.[10] Mitchell Goetze, one of the fifth generation family members, became the Executive Vice Chairman of the National Confectioners Association in 2008,[11] and became the Chairman of the NCA two years later.[12] John Leipold, Goetze's Director Sales & Marketing, was inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame in October 2009.[13]