jelly belly factory tour chicago

• Activities for Kids
• Food & Drink

How’d They Make That? Food Factory & Warehouse Tours

They say the quickest way to a kid’s heart is through his tummy. That’s true where gummy bears and ice cream are concerned, at least. Get your family curious about where their food comes from by taking a factory or warehouse tour. There is a lot of food and drink made in the Chicago area and some manufacturers will take you behind the scenes. Flip through our album to discover tours for fans of candy, coffee and beer (both root and the grownup varieties).

Jelly Belly Warehouse Tour

Hop on the Jelly Belly Train (yes, it's a thing) to tour the warehouse and learn through videos how candy corn, jellybeans and gummies are made. Shop the store to enjoy the sample bar, where visitors can taste each flavor as well as any favorite or new confection on the day’s menu. If you find yourself there at lunchtime, small bites are available at the Jelly Belly Snack Bar. Guided tours are scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and groups of visitors are taken around every 10-15 minutes. 

10100 Jelly Belly Lane, Pleasant Prairie, WI (866-TOUR-JBC or  jellybelly.com )

Intelligentsia Coffee

Show your kids what happens behind the scenes to create the lifeblood of exhausted parents everywhere by taking them on a tour of Intelligentsia Coffee. Visitors will learn every aspect of coffee making with live demonstrations of the roasting process and discussions of everything involved between the farmer growing the beans and the coffee being savored in the mug. Enjoy all the freshly brewed coffee you can drink while on the tour and leave with the shakes and a free 12 oz. bag of freshly roasted coffee. Tour admission is $30 for adults and free for children under the age of 13. Tour availability is limited and reservations are highly recommended.

1850 W. Fulton St., Chicago (312-521-7976 or  intelligentsiacoffee.com )

Long Grove Confectionery

This local gem is a wholesale supplier of more than 300 gourmet confections sold throughout the country, their signature confection being the Milk Chocolate Pecan Myrtle. Tours of their facility are offered for groups of 10 or more, but sometimes you can join an existing tour if you’re short a few people. Kids will get a kick out of the 2,500-pound chocolate Statue of Liberty and 500-pound Santa sculptures that greet visitors. The tour starts with a video explaining how chocolate is made and moves on to the kitchen viewing area, were depending on the production schedule, you’ll see anything from caramel being cooked in copper pots to cream and butter filling churning in huge mixers. Watch as staff hand paints colored chocolate into the molds prior to filling, resulting in what looks like miniature pieces of art.

Tours cost $2 per person and are available Monday-Friday. Reservations are required and live production is not guaranteed. Stick around after the tour to shop for treats in their factory store.

333 Lexington Ave., Buffalo Grove (847-459-3100 or  http://www.longgrove.com/factory-tours/ )

Filbert's Root Beer

Filbert’s doesn’t offer a scripted tour of their facilities, but their friendly staff is always more than happy to show customers around their bottling facility. They’re most known for root beer, but they produce 25 soda flavors in total. Before you go in to buy your mixed case or keg of soda, call ahead to see if they’re bottling that day so you can see the operation in action.

3430 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago (773-847-1520 or  filbertsrootbeer.com )

Two Brothers Brewery

Here’s a tour that the grownups will get excited about. Two Brothers was started in 1996 by — you guessed it — two brothers with a passion for microbrews. They open their doors for guests of any age for 45-minute tours, just check their online calendar for dates and times. Reservations are not required and guests are treated to the sights, smells and, for those 21 years and older, tastes of the brewery. Come hungry so you can enjoy the extensive menu at Tap House.

30W315 Calumet Ave., Warrenville (630-393-4800 or twobrothersbrewing.com

Albenese Confectionary

Not only does Albanese make gummies as pretty as they are delicious, they welcome visitors to take a peek into the manufacturing process for what have become known as the “World’s Best Gummies.” Tours are designed for all ages and consist of viewing the Gummi Factory through eight separate windows and watching videos explaining the creation of gummies and Gold Label chocolates. Free self-guided tours take about 5-15 minutes and are available any time during normal business hours (Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.); no reservations required. You’re rewarded at the end with samples of the freshest gummi and chocolate samples you’ll ever eat.

5441 E. Lincoln Highway, Merrillville, IN (855-272-3227 or  albanesecandy.com )

Plant Chicago

The Plant is a 93,500-square-foot former pork processing facility that has been transformed into a collaborative community of small businesses focused on growing, producing and sourching a variety of food products. It is currently home to over a dozen small businesses, including indoor and outdoor farms. Take a self-guided tour Saturdays between noon-2 p.m., to learn more about circular economy principles, view their waste museum, hear from interns, and explore and explore a demonstration aquaponic system. 

1400 W. 46th St., Back of the Yards (773-847-5523 or plantchicago.org )

— Maria Chambers

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5 Fun Sweets Tours in the Chicago Area

by Sarah Parisi

November 2, 2014

Looking for something a little different from the usual museums, playspaces and parks? Families can see how some of their favorite goodies are made on one of these food tours near Chicago. Sweet tours can be fun, educational and they usually end with a yummy treat.

1. Jelly Belly Warehouse Tour

Jelly Belly 10100 Jelly Belly Ln Pleasant Prairie, WI

Buttered Popcorn, Juicy Pear or Very Cherry—you'll find them all and lots more at the Jelly Belly Warehouse in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin (just over an hour drive from Chicago). Upon arrival, everyone gets a paper hat and then boards a train for a tour through the warehouse. You'll see videos on the making of jelly beans and candy corn, and dancing Jelly Belly characters too. At the end, visitors get a free bag of jelly beans and you can browse the shop for your favorite flavors. Be sure to stop by the taste test counter to sample a variety of flavors, including gross ones like Soap, Vomit and Dirt. The warehouse is open for free tours every day, but keep in mind that it can get a little busy on the weekends.

2. Eli’s Cheesecake “Tastings & Traditions”

Eli's Cheesecake World 6701 W Forest Preserve Dr Chicago, IL

Eli’s Cheesecake World in Chicago doesn’t offer a traditional tour of their facilities, but at 1pm every day they offer “Tastings & Traditions,” a PowerPoint and video presentation about the history of Eli’s and how they make their famous cheesecakes. The 30 to 45 minute presentation is hosted by a cafe associate and ends with a sample of yummy Eli’s desserts. There’s no charge for Tastings & Traditions, but space is limited so arrive early.

3. Long Grove Factory Tours

Long Grove Confectionary 333 Lexington Dr Buffalo Grove, IL

The original Long Grove Confectionary is in a red schoolhouse about 35 miles from Chicago in Long Grove, Illinois. However, the company has expanded so much that production was moved to nearby Buffalo Grove, which is the facility that you can tour. You'll see a video presentation and get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of chocolates and caramels. Everyone on the tour gets a sweet treat. Tours are $2 per person and reservations must be made in advance.

RELATED: 10 Best Things To Do in Chicago in November

4. Oberweis Dairy Tour

Oberweis Dairy has been in the milk business since 1927 and they’re famous for their glass bottles of milk and ice cream treats. Oberweis offers a look at how they makes their milk and ice cream; the tour ends in the shop, where everyone enjoys a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Tours must be pre-scheduled and are only available for groups of 10 or more, ages 8 and up, with a fee of $3 per adult and $2 per child.

5. Chocolate Tour of Chicago

If one sweet destination just isn’t enough, the Chocolate Tour of Chicago will take you to six famous city spots. Book your tickets online for $50 a person, and then meet up at the Wrigley Building. (Small children can attend the tour for free, but anyone participating in the tastings must have a paid ticket.) Dress for comfort because you’ll spend two hours (rain or shine) walking the Magnificent Mile, where you’ll visit places like West Town Bakery and Ghirardelli. Six tastings are included in the tour.

Looking for more sweet tours? Check out Albanese candy in Merrillville, Indiana, or Filbert's Root Beer in Chicago.

Photo credit: Jelly Belly

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Sweet Beans: All About the Jelly Belly Factory Tour

Jelly beans are one of my favorite treats to take on road trips- they store well, don’t melt, and you can hand out just a few at a time. What better way to start a road trip than with a visit to the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield, CA?

The Jelly Belly factory tour takes you above the floor of the factory where you can watch actual Jelly Belly jelly beans being made and packaged. Videos along the way teach you about the process, as well as fun facts about Jelly Belly jelly beans.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase.   As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. All our recommendations are our own, and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

At the bottom of this post,  download a free game of Would You Rather: World Edition  to play on your next road trip!

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Where is the Jelly Belly Factory?

We visited the Jelly Belly Factory in California when our kids were ages 4, and 6. The jelly bean factory is at 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento. This was the first stop on our American Northwest road trip .

What Kind of Candy Does the Jelly Belly Factory Make?

The Jelly Belly factory makes jelly beans, licorice, candy corn, gummy worms, chocolates, and other sweet treats. They also have a full line of Harry Potter beans and chocolate treats. However, most of what we saw on the tour was jelly beans!

Did you know that Very Cherry is the most popular flavor of Jelly Belly jelly bean?

We love the Grab & Go Bags , at 3.5 oz each you can try a couple of different combinations! S(6) picked out the Unicorn Mix for her birthday- it’s got eight flavors of sparkling jewel jelly beans!

What Do You Get to See at the Jelly Belly Factory?

The Jelly Belly Tour is self-guided, you can go through it at your own pace. It starts with an introductory video that teaches you about the family behind the brand, and a bit about how jelly beans are made. From there, you’ll walk along a path above the factory floor, so you can look down at the machines and workers below. There are videos every so often that explain the process.

A Bit About Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly is a family-owned company that’s been making candy for six generations. They started making jelly beans in 1965 and acquired the name Jelly Belly in 1980. With over 100 flavors, they now sell jelly beans in over 80 countries.

They were a small company that got a big break when then-governor Ronald Reagan became a public fan of the brand. His favorite flavor was licorice. In 1983 Regan as President, even sent some Jelly Belly beans into space!

How are Jelly Beans Made?

The process of making a jelly bean is fascinating! I used to work in the specialty food industry, so it was really fun for me to see how they had the factory set up and all the different machines they use to make it more efficient.

Each jelly bean takes 7-14 days to make! Here’s a bit about the process, it’s by no means complete but gives you an idea of how complex the process is to make this treat.

The Insides of the Jelly Bean

The insides of the jelly bean are flavored, as well as the shell. First, a candy slurry of sugar, water, and corn syrup is made in a big kettle. Each kettle holds enough slurry to make 200,000 jelly bean centers. The slurry is flavored, cooked, poured into jelly bean molds, and then frozen.

Adding the Shell

The jelly bean centers then go into rotating drums that look a bit like a small cement mixer. Each one holds 250 pounds of jelly bean centers. Flavoring and sugar are spooned in as the candies rotate until the right shell is formed. Apparently, if it’s done wrong the whole batch can stick together!

Finishing the Jelly Bean

After the center is finished, the jelly beans are sorted, and any misshapen beans are removed (you can buy some of these “Belly Flops” in the gift shop!) The Jelly Belly logo is stamped on each bean, then they are ready to package!

Is the Jelly Belly Factory Kid-Friendly?

Our kids loved the experience overall. However, they didn’t have the patience to stop and listen to all the videos. There are two games along the route, though we didn’t spend too much time on them.

One is a goalie game- stand on the yellow pad and try to swat the flying digital jelly beans out of the goal. Our kids weren’t tall enough to signal to the computer to start, we had to jump in to get it going, then let them play! The second game is a head-to-head competition sorting jelly beans on a screen.

The kids loved seeing the machines working- moving trays and boxes back and forth. They have a special spider robot arm that sees the bags of jelly beans on the conveyor belt, picks them up, turns them in the right direction, then puts them in boxes for shipping. The kids also loved browsing the gift shop and picking out a few special jelly beans to take with us!

What Else Can I Do at the Jelly Belly Factory?

Once you’ve finished the tour and taken your time peering through the glass at the workers below, there are a few other things to do at the Jelly Belly Factory.

The Jelly Belly Chocolate and Wine Experience

On the second floor, as you exit the tour, you’ll have the option to add on the Jelly Belly Chocolate and Wine Experience. This is for adults only, though minors can tag along. There are six pairings, each includes wines from Suisun Valley Wineries paired with Jelly Belly Chocolates.

The Jelly Bean Art Gallery

As you enter the factory you’ll see several examples of jelly bean art. There are more hung throughout the factory. After the tour, there’s a small art gallery with additional works. All of these are images (mostly portraits) made in a mosaic style using jelly beans.

The Jelly Belly Gift Shop

On the first floor, where you first buy your tour tickets, is the Jelly Belly Gift Shop. You can buy jelly beans and a small selection of other merchandise with the company logo.

There is also a Chocolate Shoppe on one side of the gift shop, that did not appear to be open when we visited.

Wait, No Sample Bar?

No, no sample bar. In the past, the Jelly Belly Gift Shop included a sample bar, where you could request up to three jelly belly flavors at a time. You were then welcome to get back in line for another three.

Sadly, this is no longer available and seems to have been permanently removed. We were a bit bummed about this- sometimes you want to try a Kiwi-flavored jelly bean without committing to a full bag! Mint Chocolate Chip, anyone?

The Jelly Belly Cafe

The Jelly Belly Cafe offers a selection of hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. We didn’t stop to try it.

How Many Jelly Belly Factories Are There?

There are currently three Jelly Belly Factories- Fairfield, CA; North Chicago, IL, and Rayong, Thailand. The factory in California makes most of the jelly beans for the US and is the only one currently offering tours.

What Does it Cost to Visit the Jelly Belly Factory?

In 2023, there is a charge of $7 per adult and $3 per child to take the Jelly Belly Tour. They give you a sealed sample of jelly beans and a paper hat to wear for the duration of the tour.

When is the Jelly Belly Factory Open for Tours?

The Jelly Belly Factory is open for tours from 9:15- 4 pm daily. If you can, try to visit during the week when candy-making is sure to be going on. If you visit during the weekends, you will probably not get to see the factory in full operation.

They are closed for New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

How Long is the Jelly Belly Factory Tour?

We spent about an hour and a half at the Jelly Belly Factory, though you could spend longer if you watch each video from beginning to end.

There You Have It: The Jelly Belly Factory Tour

We loved starting our road trip at the Jelly Belly Factory Tour. We could spend as little or as much time as liked. I would have loved a more in-depth tour of what was happening below us, but the kids didn’t have the patience for more. Overall we all learned a lot and had an excuse to eat some delicious jelly beans, and stock up on irregular Belly Flops for the rest of our road trip!

Exploring more of California? Check out our guide to Yosemite , and the Trees of Mystery where you can take a canopy walk through the redwoods.

Road Tripping? Make sure your car is stocked with all the road trip essentials , and that you’ve packed road trip snacks and road trip activities .

Considering Christmas in California? Don’t miss our one-day itinerary for holiday magic in San Francisco .

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

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Further Afield: The Jelly Belly Factory in Kenosha

Flat Luke and Jelly Beans

One of the places we visited was the Jelly Belly Factory in Kenosha. It’s just across the state line, east of the outlet mall and west of the Kenosha Public Museum , a must-see for any woolly mammoth fans you may know.

Jelly Belly’s Kenosha operations are actually a warehouse. The free, 35-minute tour starts involves a trolley ride through the distribution center, with stops that highlight the history, manufacturing process, and art of the jelly bean. Afterward, everyone gets a sample of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

Whether or not you take the tour, you can shop at the Jelly Belly outlet store. It has great deals on Belly Flops – slightly imperfect jelly beans – and on seasonal merchandise. Hey, red and green candy doesn’t go bad just because the calendar turns to December 26!

Please note: you may leave with the song “I Want Candy” stuck in your head. You have been warned.

Jelly Belly Visitor Center 10100 Jelly Belly Lane Pleasant Prairie, WI

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Candy Factory Tours in Chicago

The Chicago area is home to some of the sweetest confectioneries in the country, and by taking one of the guided tours available, Chicago tourists can learn many of the behind-the-scenes secrets that go into making some of America's most beloved sweets. From stealing a few "Kisses" at the Hershey's Factory to sampling designer chocolates at the Long Grove Confectionery, no candy lover will be left wanting after their next trip to the Windy City.

Hershey's Chicago

Located along Chicago's Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue), The Hershey's Chicago store and bakery offers a wide variety of one-of-a-kind products and baked goods. Both the Hershey store and bakery are open to tour groups small and large, and they encourage all visitors to sign up to be a Hershey's factory worker for a day and pay a visit to the "Hershey-izer," the singing Hershey baker.

Long Grove Confectionery Company

The Long Grove Confectionery Company is located just north of Chicago in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. During tours of the confectionery, visitors will learn how cacao is grown and processed into chocolate, as well as watch as chocolate is produced and packaged for distribution. After completing the tour, visitors are encouraged to view the giant chocolate sculptures on-site and purchase chocolate at a discounted rate.

Jelly Belly Candy Store & Tours

Located on Chicago's North Side, the Jelly Belly Candy Store offers a sneak peak at just how Jelly Belly artists come up with their famous flavors. From conceptualizing flavors like "Popcorn" and "Toasted Marshmallow" to stocking store shelves, the step-by-step process of jelly bean creation and distribution is explained to guests first-hand while touring their elaborate Morrow Avenue facilities. Jelly Bean lovers of all ages will enjoy taking home a bag of flavors that never hit store shelves, which are lovingly referred to by Jelly Belly artists as their little "Jelly Belly Mistakes."

Chicago Chocolate Tour

Led by confectionery expert Valerie Beck, these 2 to 2 1/2-hour tours guide you along the streets of downtown Chicago to learn about some of the city's most famous names in candy, including Tootsie Rolls, Wrigley's Gum and Lemonheads. Offered daily, Wednesday to Sunday, each day's tour focuses on a different location in the city, including chocolate destinations in the South Loop, Lakeview, Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast.

The Chicago Chocolate Tour always stops at favorite local bakeries, cafes and chocolate shops, so tour guests can enjoy a few free samples of some delicious treats.

• The Hershey Co.: Discover HERSHEY -- Hershey Chicago
• Judy's Book: Jelly Belly Candy Store and Tours
• Chicago Chocolate Tours: Tours

About the Author

Kelly Bandas has been writing for print/online publications and television since 2005. Having worked with "USA Today," the Boston Red Sox and the New England Sports Network, she now serves as the lead writer and editor for GossipTeen.com. Bandas holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Boston University's College of Communication.

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• candy image by cherie from Fotolia.com

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One-Tank Trips: Jelly Belly Warehouse Tours

Visitors begin their confectionery adventure in the large, candy-filled store where tours start at Jelly Belly Junction. While waiting for the next train to arrive at the station, visitors can see some of the company's family photos from their 134 years in candy making. Then it's time to hop on board the Jelly Belly Express, a four-car train that travels through the ware-house at top speeds of 5 miles an hour. The ride takes about 30 minutes as the train's engineer narrates the tour and makes seven stops at large video screens.

Along the way, some surprising bits of candy trivia and video of the jelly bean making process initiate tour takers into the confectionery world. The company made its mark in the 1800s with one of its first successful products, candy corn. Three generations later, the Jelly Belly jelly bean ended up in the White House during Ronald Reagan's presidency and the media spotlight brought the company worldwide attention.

Other "eye candy" sights are large scale portraits of famous people made from thousands of Jelly Belly beans, Candy Alley with its six-foot jelly beans suspended from the ceiling and an animated line of the company's jelly bean mascots in a chorus line.

New flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans lend grist for the engineer's trivia mill. On a recent tour visitors learned one of the newest is Pomegranate flavor. Couple that with a new 7Up flavor for a Pomegranate Punch.

Today billions of Jelly Belly jelly beans will be eaten around the world and millions are shipped from this warehouse. While visitors don't see the manufacturing firsthand, the entertaining videos show the process close up and antique candy making equipment is on display.

When the tour ends, the candy extravaganza doesn't stop there. Inside the store a sample bar beckons visitors to taste any of the 100 different candies the company makes. Chocolate almonds your passion? They are here, along with fruit-flavored jells, sour gummies, licorice, chocolates, sweets for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. And 75 flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans. Also a snack bar that offers hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream.

Tours operate daily all day long. During major holidays, the warehouse and store are decked out with gigantic decorations. Special events and entertainment are also scheduled during the Easter, Halloween and Christmas holidays.

The Jelly Belly Visitor Center welcomes small children in strollers, and tours are wheel chair accessible. Tours are free and no reservations are necessary.

The Jelly Belly Center is located at 10100 Jelly Belly Lane and is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours operate 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information and directions call the 24-hour recorded line (866) 868-7522, or go to JellyBelly.com , click on Free Tours on the home page, and select Wisconsin Warehouse tour.

Culinary Historians of Chicago

The Goelitz Family: Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly’s Vice Chairman Bill Kelley will unwrap the roots of the Goelitz candy empire, which began as a storefront in Belleville, Illinois.  While now headquartered in California, their legacy candy corn has been made in North Chicago since 1913.

Bill Kelley grew up in Wilmette and worked for Goelitz Confectionary Company in North Chicago during vacations.  The Goelitz family history of candy making dates back to 1869 when Bill’s great-grandfather, Gustav Goelitz, bought a candy wholesale and manufacturing company in Belleville, Illinois.

Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 10:15 AM Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum ( Address, directions, Metra information ) Cost: $3. (donated to the museum) and optional $5 for pizza lunch

This program is hosted by the Chicago Foodways Roundtable. To reserve, please  e-mail: [email protected]

Get inspired

The wonderful world of Jelly Belly

By michele broitman.

From the moment we stepped inside, the Jelly Belly Factory was beyond my imagination. Larger-than-life jelly beans and a hot-air balloon dangled from the high ceiling, their bright colors energizing the large space. A Jelly Belly-decorated motorcycle resided in the center of the room, and framed Jelly Belly art—jelly bean mosaics of Hollywood legends and celebrated leaders, like Ronald Reagan—hung on the walls. Reagan was a big fan of Jelly Belly jelly beans and even wrote to the company in 1973 as the Governor of California, “We can hardly start a meeting or make a decision without passing the jar of jelly beans.” During his presidency, his sweet tooth became famous, as he had a special Jelly Belly bean holder installed on Marine One and 3.5 tons shipped to his inauguration celebration, all of which helped put the company on the map.

It was my daughter Nika’s fifth birthday. After attending one too many birthday parties at loud and stress-inducing pizza joints, my husband, Ed, and I wanted to try something different this year. We hoped this Jelly Belly Factory tour would be a wonderland of sweet exploration and make for a memorable birthday for our little girl.

On the drive to the factory in Fairfield, California—a city between Sacramento and San Francisco—Nika’s 8-year-old brother, Kimo, had excitedly listed off his favorite jelly bean flavors: Crushed Pineapple, Toasted Marshmallow and Pumpkin Pie. Nika confessed her wish to try one of every flavor. Ed and I laughed at her enthusiasm, feeling hopeful this tour would be our birthday-girl’s dream come true.

How It’s Made

After examining the whimsical décor, we decided to try the Chocolate and Wine Experience, which gave us front-of-line access to the factory tour after the tasting. Eating chocolate instead of waiting in line with our birthday girl—yes, please.

The scent of cocoa was strong as we entered the tasting area on the second floor. We weren’t sure what to expect, as we came for sugary sweets, not velvety chocolate and wine. We all sampled the chocolates and fudge. They were a heavenly fusion of sweet and salty. Ed and I also took a few sips of local  Suisun Valley wine , the fruity pairing with the bittersweet chocolate tingling our taste buds.

My kids looked up at me with huge, chocolaty smiles, and I grinned back.

So far, I had every indication this tour was going to be a triumph, as we had already begun to capture the factory’s sweet magic with our chocolate encrusted smiles.

Before we knew it, we finished our tasting and it was time for the self-guided factory tour. We were ushered onto elevated platforms over the factory floor and began our sweet journey in the candy kitchen, which included interactive games and HD/4K videos with an up-close look at the candy making action.

We watched confectioners mix water, corn syrup, sugar and flavoring (that day was peach, which we could smell when we walked in) to make a hot liquid that would eventually become hundreds of jelly beans. The liquid was poured into trays with bean forms, and then we followed big cranes carrying those 25-pound trays of beans to where they rest for a few days.

A Jelly Belly employee offered us a few solidified samples, which Nika eagerly snatched up. “Sweet, but doesn’t taste like jelly beans,” she declared.

The employee replied, “That’s because the beans haven’t gotten their sugar coating yet.”

We entered the area where the beans get their sweet coating, which looked like a construction zone with large rotating drums spinning freshly made beans. Kimo intently watched as a confectioner shoveled sugar onto the spinning beans. “It’s like they’re making sugar cement,” he laughed.

Nika was clearly enthralled with the process, her eyes glued to the machines. “Are they jelly beans yet?” She asked as we continued the tour into the next room.

The sorting room is where the “Belly Flops” are separated from the perfect Jelly Belly beans. A rainbow of crates spread before us, Nika jumped and exclaimed, “They’ve got the candy coating now. I want to try everything!”

Another Jelly Belly employee, standing near one of the interactive stations, heard Nita’s exclamation and laughed.

“That’s right,” the employee said. She handed Nika another jelly bean sample and took one for herself. “Let’s eat it at the same time,” she told Nika. “One, two, three!”

They both popped the jelly bean into their mouths and intently chewed, analyzing the flavors with their tongues. Nika giggled and said, “It’s a real jelly bean now.”

Ed and I sampled the margarita and blackberry flavors that had been resting for the past several days. The kids eagerly tasted every flavor available, a truly birthday-worthy splurge, and a birthday wish come true for Nika.

“I wonder if oompa loompas work here after dark,” Ed teased as the kids explored the jelly bean smorgasbord.

Kimo rolled his eyes—a little too old for his dad’s silly antics—but Nika’s eyes widened. “I want to be their Willy Wonka!” she exclaimed.

Ed laughed, “Or Wilma Wonka in your case.”

Our self-guided tour came to an end, but we could sample more beans just beyond the exit door in the candy shop. The kids raced to the massive shop—basically a jelly bean utopia. Brightly colored candy met us at every turn. The kids gleefully sampled all their favorites and found some new ones—Buttered Popcorn and Sunkist® Lime. I glanced at Ed, and giggled when I saw he was just as enthralled as they were.

Sweet Notes

After our practically gluttonous jelly bean tastings, the kids filled bags with their favorite flavors. We also grabbed some bean-shaped burgers at the Jelly Belly Café (hoping to curb the sugar rush) and a box of chocolate at the fudge counter. On our way to the car, with arms full of sweet treats, Kimo asked “Can we come back for my birthday, Mom?”

“If that’s what you want. I’m up for plenty more tastings,” I said, smiling.

Nika skipped the rest of the way to our car, singing a song she made up about jelly beans and birthday cake, and I distinctly heard the lyric “best birthday ever” enthusiastically chanted from her lips. Her fifth birthday had been a total success, and so much more enjoyable than birthdays we’d had in the past, because it was just the four of us having fun together. I could foresee this becoming a new family tradition.

It doesn’t stop at Jelly Belly’s sweet confections. Discover Fairfield’s other tempting tours and tastings.

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Lake County News-Sun | Column: Sweet times to continue for Jelly Belly…

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Lake County News-Sun

Lake county news-sun | column: sweet times to continue for jelly belly after company’s sale.

DAVID TROTMAN-WILKINS / Chicago Tribune

A long rake is used to mix a variety of jelly beans in this 2001 file photo of the Jelly Belly production plant in North Chicago.

Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune

A Jelly Belly display is seen at the Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

For the heirs of candy-maker Gustav Goelitz, it was a sweet ride while it lasted. But like other journeys, it eventually had to end.

Which is what happened Oct. 18 when it was announced the family-owned Jelly Belly Candy Co., a fixture in North Chicago since 1913, was being sold to Chicago-based Ferrara Candy Co. There’s nothing sour about the sale.

Terms were not announced and the sale is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Ferrara is owned by the Europe-based Ferrero Rocher candy company.

Herman Rowland, Sr., great-grandson of Gustav Goelitz, and Jelly Belly chairman of the board of directors, said in a statement that Ferrara is a “like-minded” candy company that will grow the brand. Ferrara, one of the nation’s largest candy companies, has a broad product portfolio and makes a number of popular candy brands, including Butterfinger and Baby Ruth.

Anyone driving along the Tri-State Tollway south of the Bensenville Bridge curve has smelled the chocolate goodness, when the wind is right, emanating from the former Curtiss Candy Co. plant, with its iconic signage, in Franklin Park. The wafting aromas can make one forget about a bad commute.

The Goelitz Confectionery Co., first known for its Halloween favorite and legacy product, candy corn, and its white-centered caramel creams, left Downstate Belleville, where Gustav and his brother, Albert, sold candies from a storefront and then horse-drawn cart, for North Chicago — the firm’s longest-operating factory — as its candy fortunes grew in the early 20th century. German immigrant Goelitz founded the company in 1869 after learning the hand-poured, candy-making trade a generation earlier.

Trademarked Jelly Belly jelly beans began production at the North Chicago site on Morrow Avenue in 1978. Along with the beans, the factory also produced and shipped Chocolate Malt Balls. Overall, the company manufactures dozens of candy products.

According to the company’s history, the U.S. Navy was months away from turning the North Chicago plant into a military production facility during World War I. The war ended, so those plans were canceled.

By 2001, the success of the Jelly Belly brand in the early 1980s and beyond turned Goelitz into the Jelly Belly Candy Co. All Jelly Belly bean production, which started in 1976 on the West Coast, was moved from North Chicago to California in 2014.

The North Chicago plant continues to make gourmet candies and other confectionary goodies, according to the company. Headquarters moved to California’s Bay Area in the 1970s and ’80s, along with much of the company’s candy production.

The company opened a plant in Thailand to service the growing Asian candy market. But the company, with 800 global employees, still kept a large footprint in Lake and Kenosha counties.

Besides North Chicago, the company had a distribution warehouse at 2383 N. Delany Road in Waukegan which morphed into an editorial, business and distribution site for The News-Sun and Pioneer Press in the mid-2010s. The site is now home to Tecnova, an electronic design engineering and manufacturing company.

Jelly Belly moved its distribution center from Waukegan to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, in Kenosha County off Green Bay Road in 2001. The facility featured an outlet store and public tours where visitors could ride the “Jelly Belly Express” around the warehouse to learn about the company’s history, try samples and buy “Belly Flops,” beans which didn’t meet production standards. It was closed in 2020.

The company makes more than 100 colorful flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans, and they are some of the best-known candy brands in the world. It sells products in some 60 nations on five continents. Flavors can be mixed and matched to create various taste sensations.

It was President Ronald Reagan’s sugarcoated soft spot for the gourmet beans while he quit smoking which kick-started the candy’s growth. When members of the Goelitz family learned Reagan was a big fan of the brand, they shipped him beans directly to the White House during his eight years in office. Jelly Belly jelly beans even went to space during a Space Shuttle mission during the Reagan administration.

Despite being swallowed by Ferrara, which has been in the Chicago area for more than 115 years, Rowland said in a statement that the sale creates, “a win-win situation for our employees, consumers and products.”

Which sounds like sweet deal for candy lovers all over.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

[email protected] .

X @sellenews

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If you've ever had the pleasure of popping a Jelly Belly jellybean into your mouth, chances are it was grown at the Herman Goelitz candy factory in Fairfield, California. It's not a sure thing, because Herman Goelitz also has a factory in Chicago, but the plant just north of San Francisco grows most of them.

Yes, I meant to say, "grows." Jelly Bellies, as we were fascinated to learn on our guided tour, achieve their adult size through a process called "engrossing." It takes a week to plump one up to the proper dimensions, and some flavors take even longer.

The tour begins in the cavernous visitors' center that opened about a year ago to accommodate the ever-increasing number of candy-loving pilgrims. Its walls are lined with photographs and news clippings that trace the history of the Herman Goelitz Candy Company from its beginnings in Chicago to its fortuitous alliance with the inventor of Jelly Bellies. Nearby, there's a whole display case full of Ronald Reagan memorabilia. A huge Jelly Belly portrait of the President who catapulted the beans to international fame smiles over the main entrance.

Joining a group of about forty other visitors, we donned paper hats and began our circumnavigation of the factory, which was built with observers in mind. Elevated walkways allow excellent views of all the specialized machinery, and our guide Barbara provided the necessary explanations.

The first step in jellybean manufacture happens at the "mogul station" where the centers of the beans are molded from a recipe that includes cornstarch, corn syrup, fruit purees, and other flavorings. The centers are allowed to dry, and after they receive a "sugar shower," the engrossing process begins.

Dozens of engrossing machines, which look like small cement mixers, stand in rows. The beans are tumbled in stainless steel barrels as confectioners add syrup and sugar in a two-hour process. After drying, they get "engrossed" again, and the process is repeated six times. The last engrossing coats each bean with a shiny glaze. Two or three days later, the beans receive their official Jelly Belly tattoo, which is applied by a machine that does the job at a rate of 20,700 beans a minute. (And in case you were wondering, the factory turns out 40,000 pounds of Jelly Bellies in over fifty different flavors per eight-hour shift.)

Other fascinating features of the Jelly Belly factory are the robot room, where half a dozen multi-jointed, long-armed robots assist in the packing process, and the taffy cooker, which looks like something out of a Jules Verne novel. There are also a number of Jelly Belly mosaics on display. They're the work of Peter Rocha, whose bean art commands enough respect that one of his portraits hangs in Chicago's Art Institute.

After a bean-shaped burger in the visitors' center's restaurant, we browsed through the gift shop. In addition to a large array of attractively packaged assortments, the shop sells "Belly Flops" in two-pound bags. "Belly Flops" are beans that are too small, too large, or stuck together. Take it from someone who bought a bag-- they taste just as good as the beautiful ones, and they seem to vanish just as fast.

The Herman Goelitz factory tour is well worth the journey to Fairfield, and if you visit, you'll be sure to leave with new respect for what it takes to make the delectable little treats. For hours and directions, stop by the Jelly Belly Web site .

Chicago’s Ferrara Candy buys Jelly Belly manufacturer

The sale, expected to close by yearend, will combine two companies with histories in the chicago area..

Jelly Belly jelly beans at the company’s factory in Fairfield, California.

David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Jelly Belly, the jelly bean brand that got a sugar jolt of popularity in the 1980s when former President Ronald Reagan declared it a favorite treat, is getting a new fan in Chicago-based Ferrara Candy.

Ferrara — with products that include Sweet Tarts, Brach’s and Chuckles — is acquiring family-owned Jelly Belly in a deal announced last week and expected to close by year-end.

The sale unites companies that have histories in the Chicago area. Ferrara dates its operations from a bakery in Chicago’s Little Italy in 1908, and Jelly Belly has a plant in North Chicago, where it formerly manufactured its signature product.

In 2014, Jelly Belly moved that production to Fairfield, California, where the company is based. It kept the North Chicago facility for private-label and contract candy production.

Once the deal closes, Ferrara will take over Jelly Belly facilities, including property in Thailand, that together have about 800 employees, the companies said. Terms were not disclosed.

“We are excited to bring Jelly Belly’s imaginative products and talented team into the Ferrara community,” said Marco Capurso, CEO of Ferrara, in a news release. “Our dedication to creating high-quality, innovative sugar confections for the world and our deep relationships with retailers aligns perfectly with the Jelly Belly track record and passion for quality, reliability and customer service.”

Jelly Belly dates its operations from 1869, when Gustav Goelitz started a candy business in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. It introduced its signature jelly beans in 1976, renaming the company after the product in 2001.

The company said there are now more than 100 Jelly Belly flavors, and distribution covers 60 countries. It also produces chocolates and other candy varieties.

Ferrara is part of the similarly named Ferrero Group sweets manufacturer based in Italy. Ferrero has opened a research center at 24 E. Washington St., above the Macy’s, and produces Butterfingers and Baby Ruths in Franklin Park.

Ferrara has a corporate office in the Old Post Office. In 2021, it opened a distribution center with 500 workers in DeKalb.

Herman Rowland, chairman of Jelly Belly, said the sale will unite companies that are committed to their products and employees.

“When I met with the Ferrara team, I recognized a like-minded group that shares our knowledge and passion for the candy business and has the talent and resources to grow our products and the careers of our people around the world. I am confident of the continued success of Jelly Belly as part of the Ferrara portfolio,” Rowland said in the news release.

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Business & Tech

Chicago candy company agrees to purchase jelly belly, the gourmet jelly beans will again call illinois home after ferrara candy company announced plans to purchase jelly belly candy company..

Jeff Arnold , Patch Staff

CHICAGO — Jelly Belly jelly beans will again call Chicago home after a local company announced plans to purchase the California company that produces the gourmet confectionary in a deal that is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

Ferrara Candy Company announced last week that it has reached an agreement to purchase Jelly Belly Candy Company, which is based in California.

The proposed acquisition would combine Jelly Belly Candy Company’s more than 100 flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans and gourmet specialty confections with Ferrara’s broad portfolio of sugar candies, according to a news release.

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Once the acquisition is finalized, about 800 Jelly Belly employees and its facilities in California, Illinois, and Thailand will join the Ferrara organization, the two companies announced last week.

Jelly Belly Candy Company’s roots date back to its founding in Illinois in 1869 and it has continued to be family-owned and operated by the fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of the Rowland candy-making family, the release said. The company's signature brand of Jelly Belly jelly beans has been one of the most loved and recognizable candy products in the world since its introduction in 1976.

“As we considered the future of Jelly Belly Candy Company, we have been steadfast in our commitment to create a win-win situation for our employees, consumers, and products,” Herman Rowland, Sr., chairman of the Board of Directors of Jelly Belly said in the release. “When I met with the Ferrara team, I recognized a like-minded group that shares our knowledge and passion for the candy business and has the talent and resources to grow our products and the careers of our people around the world. I am confident of the continued success of Jelly Belly as part of the Ferrara portfolio.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are excited to bring Jelly Belly’s imaginative products and talented team into the Ferrara community,” Marco Capurso, chief executive officer of Ferrara said in the release. “Our dedication to creating high-quality, innovative sugar confections for the world and our deep relationships with retailers aligns perfectly with the Jelly Belly track record and passion for quality, reliability, and customer service. We look forward to working together to build on the success of all our brands.”

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Jelly Belly to Close Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin Store and Tour

Jelly Belly Candy Company, a family owned and operated business, is making a strategic change in its retail operations. Jelly Belly has decided to close its Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin store and tour.

“We are incredibly thankful to the millions of visitors, the City of Pleasant Prairie and the surrounding communities for their hospitality over the past 20 years,” said Jelly Belly Vice President of Retail Operations, John Jamison.

Any current Pleasant Prairie employees impacted will be offered positions at our growing factory located in North Chicago, Illinois. The liquidation sale in Pleasant Prairie will begin on August 3, 2020. Consumers can still purchase their favorite Jelly Belly ® jelly beans or any of the company’s products online at JellyBelly.com.

Jelly Belly Candy Company is a family-owned and operated company that has run in continuous operation since 1898. The company began making Jelly Belly ® jelly beans in 1976. Today, Jelly Belly confections can be found all over the world. Jelly Belly makes more than 100 Jelly Belly jelly bean flavors, over 50 confections, and works with many popular licensed properties. For more information about Jelly Belly and its confections, visit JellyBelly.com, or consumers can call 800-522-3267 and retailers can call (800) 323-9380.