PEZ International GmbH

What PEZ International GmbH does

PEZ International GmbH is an Austrian confectionery company founded in 1927 by Eduard Haas III in what is now Traun, Upper Austria. Its core product is the iconic PEZ dispenser — a character-shaped, spring-loaded mechanical device that, when the head is flipped back, dispenses compressed peppermint or fruit-flavored candy tablets. The company manufactures approximately 75 million dispensers and 5 billion PEZ candies annually and sells through three primary channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via us.pez.com, brick-and-mortar retail partners including Target, Walmart, grocery chains, and specialty candy/toy stores, and a Visitor Center in Orange, CT that functions as both a museum and retail location. Operations span more than 80 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, with the US market served through a wholly-owned subsidiary, PEZ Candy, Inc.

The company's revenue model is built on two pillars: unit sales of dispensers (typically $2.29-$3.99 retail) and candy refills sold separately, augmented by licensing royalties from entertainment IP partners. PEZ has maintained a licensing relationship with Disney since 1953 and currently licenses characters from The Pokémon Company, Microsoft (Minecraft), and Netflix (KPop Demon Hunters, October 2026 release), among others. Its portfolio of more than 1,500 unique dispenser designs underpins both mass-market everyday SKUs and a collectible/limited-edition tier, including the artist-driven PEZ Arts sub-brand (e.g., the JF Krichbaum Exclusive, limited to 5,000 pieces). Standard dispensers, themed gift sets ($5.99-$12.99), 12-count party packs, and apparel/merchandise address families with children, dedicated collectors, and gift-giving use cases.

Strategic positioning in 2026 centers on the 100th anniversary of the brand in 2027, supported by a sustained cadence of licensed character launches (Disney Moana/Stitch, Pokémon Gift Sets, Minecraft expansions, Netflix KPop Demon Hunters) and elevated-price limited editions. The company remains privately held, with no public financial disclosures beyond scale commentary, and operates with a small disclosed headcount concentrated in US operations; global manufacturing and corporate oversight reside at the Austrian headquarters near Linz.

Name

PEZ International GmbH

Legal name

PEZ Candy, Inc.

Website

https://pez.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PEZ International GmbH is an Austrian confectionery company founded in 1927, best known for its character-shaped spring-loaded candy dispensers, distributed in 80+ countries via retail, e-commerce, and licensing partnerships with Disney, The Pokémon Company, Microsoft, and Netflix.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Confectionery

NAICS

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (31134), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Pop Culture Collectibles Retail (Figures, Statues, Funko, etc.) (CRALAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Traditional Toy Stores (CRALAFAA)

Keywords

• Candy dispensers
• Confectionery products
• Licensed character merchandise
• Collectible candy toys
• Peppermint candy refills

Headquarters

HQ city

Traun, Upper Austria

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Licensing fees

Revenue model

1. Candy and Dispenser Sales: PEZ generates revenue through the sale of its iconic dispensers and candy refills. Dispensers are sold as standalone items with or without candy refills, while refills are available separately. Limited edition and special release dispensers command premium pricing and drive collector demand.
2. Licensed Character Merchandise: PEZ licenses popular entertainment characters from franchises such as Disney, Pokémon, Star Wars, and Nickelodeon. Licensed dispensers are sold at retail and through the company's e-commerce platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PEZ International GmbH manufactures and sells character-shaped PEZ candy dispensers paired with compressed peppermint and fruit-flavored candy refills. The dispensers feature proprietary spring-loaded mechanisms and are produced in collaboration with licensed entertainment franchises such as Disney, Pokémon, Star Wars, Minecraft, and Bluey. The company distributes its products globally in more than 80 countries and operates direct e-commerce, third-party retail, and a Visitor Center retail/museum location in Orange, Connecticut.

Product overview

PEZ Candy, Inc. operates the official US e-commerce store (us.pez.com) for PEZ International, offering a portfolio of candy dispensers and related products. The core offering consists of PEZ Dispensers - iconic character-shaped candy dispensers that have been produced since 1949 - paired with PEZ Candy Refills. The product line is organized around licensed character collections (Disney Moana, Disney Stitch, Pokemon, Minecraft, Bluey, KPop Demon Hunters), themed collections (Space Mission), and the artistic PEZ Arts sub-brand. Supporting products include Gift Sets (multi-dispenser bundles), Party Favors (12-count bulk packs), and PEZ Merchandise (apparel and accessories). PEZ dispensers are primarily plastic candy dispensers featuring licensed characters; the company also produces sugar-free peppermint options and specialty items like the PEZ Arts artist collaborations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PEZ Dispensers Iconic character-shaped candy dispensers featuring licensed entertainment characters from franchises such as Disney, Pokémon, Star Wars, and Minecraft. Each dispenser pairs with PEZ candy refills and is sold to consumers and collectors.
• PEZ Candy Refills Replacement compressed candy rolls that fit PEZ dispensers, available in assorted fruit and peppermint flavors. Made in the U.S.A., peanut-free, tree nut-free, and gluten-free.
• PEZ Gift Sets

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Spin Master: Spin Master is a major children's toy and entertainment company leveraging licensed IP (Pokémon, Paw Patrol, etc.). Comparable licensing-driven product portfolio targeting the same kid/family retail channels as PEZ.
• LEGO Group: LEGO operates the premier collectible-toy business with Disney, Star Wars, and Pokémon licensing partnerships. Comparable IP-licensing-driven physical product business targeting children and adult collectors.
• Ferrara Candy Company: Ferrara is a major US sugar confectionery manufacturer (Brach's, Nerds, SweeTarts). Shares checkout-aisle distribution, mass-retail shelf competition, and seasonal/holiday confectionery demand with PEZ.
• The Hershey Company: Hershey is a major US confectionery manufacturer with broad mass-retail distribution (same Target/Walmart shelves as PEZ). Comparable category positioning, though at vastly greater scale and with owned rather than licensed IP.

Emerging players

• Hot Toys: Hot Toys produces high-end licensed collectible figurines (Marvel, Star Wars, Disney). Comparable premium-tier collector market with licensed entertainment IP, though focused on adult enthusiasts rather than children.

Direct peers

• Jelly Belly Candy Company: Jelly Belly is a privately held specialty confectionery brand with strong collector and gift-set positioning, branded visitor experiences, and impulse-checkout retail distribution. Similar niche-candy-with-collectibility model.
• Topps (Fanatics Collectibles): Topps produces licensed trading cards, collectibles, and confectionery tie-ins (e.g., Bazooka). Comparable business model combining entertainment IP licensing with collectible physical goods and nostalgia-driven demand.
• Funko: Funko produces licensed pop-culture collectible figures (Pop! Vinyls) using the same Disney, Pokémon, Marvel, and Netflix IPs as PEZ. Both monetize the convergence of entertainment licensing and physical collectibles for adults and children.
• Just Born, Inc. Just Born manufactures PEZ-style novelty marshmallow candies (Peeps, Mike and Ike). Comparable privately held, single-category US confectionery with seasonal and licensed character merchandising.
• Bazooka Candy Brands: Bazooka operates iconic impulse-confectionery brands (Bazooka bubble gum, Ring Pop, Push Pop). Overlaps with PEZ on checkout-aisle placement, child-oriented branding, and collectible/lifestyle positioning of small-format candy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pezcandyusa
• Instagraminstagram.com/pezcandyusa
• TikToktiktok.com/@pezcandyusa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pez-international-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PEZ International GmbH