Hershey Co. acquires candy with ‘shocking flavors’ and powerful social media presence - pennlive.com

Hershey acquires Sour Strips, a sour candy that sells in nearly a dozen flavors.The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company announced on Friday it acquired a new colorful, flavor-packed candy.

Advertised as the “sour candy that doesn’t suck,” Sour Strips gained a following on social media since its 2019 introduction.

YouTuber Maxx Chewning, of Texas, is the man behind the brand with the goal “to invigorate the sour candy category with a distinctive product that combines shockingly sour flavors with innovative branding.”

“The acquisition of Sour Strips expands Hershey’s offerings within our growing sweets portfolio with a product that is beloved by consumers,” said Mike Del Pozzo, president of Hershey’s U.S. Confections in a statement.

Five years ago on a YouTube promo, Chewning shared Sour Strips would be the best sour candy “you ever had in your entire life.”

“Our partnership with The Hershey Company represents a significant step in our mission to innovate and set new standards within the Confection category,” Chewning said in a statement.

Sour Strips sell in about 13 flavors, including cotton candy, green apple, wild cherry and watermelon packaged in bags decorated with “weird angry fruit characters.” They sell online and at stores including Target, 7-Eleven and Hobby Lobby.

Hershey has been diversifying its portfolio in recent years with the acquisition of healthier snacks such as Dot’s Pretzels and Lily’s Sweets.

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