What caramel creams does

Goetze's Candy Company, Inc. is a privately held, fifth/sixth-generation family-owned American confectionery manufacturer founded in 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. Originally incorporated as the Baltimore Chewing Gum Company, the business pivoted to caramel candies during a World War I chicle shortage and has since operated as a single-site manufacturer producing two flagship product lines — Caramel Creams (round chewy caramel with a cream center, also known as Bulls-Eyes, since 1918) and Cow Tales (an elongated variant introduced in 1984) — across multiple flavors including Original, Brownie, Honey Bun, Pumpkin Pie, Strawberry Smoothie, and Caramel Apple. The company's core technology is a proprietary wheat-based caramel formula (wheat flour as the first ingredient) made with real U.S. dairy milk, maintained as a closely guarded trade secret, that yields a non-sticky chewy texture distinct from competing caramels.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer sales through an owned Shopify storefront selling case quantities and bulk bags by weight (approximately 40 pieces per pound; sizes from 1 oz to 3 lb), wholesale distribution to major national retailers (Walmart, Dollar Tree, Food Lion, BJ's Wholesale), Amazon marketplace exclusives (Bake Shoppe and Sweet Shoppe Cow Tales packs), and brand collaborations extending the IP into adjacent categories (Guinness Open Gate Brewery cream ale, Sheetz Cow Tales-flavored milkshakes, Mast General Store co-branded candy bar). Marketing leverages heritage storytelling, social media across five platforms, a recipe archive of 30+ branded recipes, a store locator tool, and event sponsorships (Sweets and Snacks Expo, NTPA tractor pulls through 2026, Maryland State Fair education partnership).

The company is led by CEO Mitchell Goetze (fifth generation) with Emily Goetze (sixth generation) in an inventory management role selected for NCA's 2025 Future Leadership Program. The senior commercial team includes VP Sales Mike Farley (2025 NCA Candy Hall of Fame inductee, 36-year industry veteran formerly of Hershey, Godiva, Acosta, and Perfetti Van Melle), Director of Marketing & eCommerce Daniel Mendelsohn, and VP Strategy and Operations Meghan Brody. Operations consist of a Baltimore manufacturing headquarters (3900 East Monument Street) and a Rosedale warehouse distribution center serving wholesale partners only. International shipping is currently not accepted due to cost and customs constraints.

Name

caramel creams

Legal name

Goetze's Candy Company, Inc.

Website

https://caramelcreams.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1895

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Goetze's Candy Company is a 130-year-old, family-owned Baltimore manufacturer of Caramel Creams and Cow Tales caramel candies, distributed nationally via Walmart, Dollar Tree, Food Lion, BJ's, and Amazon to nostalgic American consumers and small-business resellers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Confectionery / Caramel Candy Manufacturing

NAICS

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (31134), Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Candy & Specialty Sweets Stores (THAFAGAH)

Keywords

• Caramel candy manufacturing
• Confectionery products
• Chewy caramel treats
• Nut-free candy
• Nostalgic confectionery

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct Candy Sales: Goetze's generates revenue through direct sales of Caramel Creams and Cow Tales products via their online Shopify storefront, selling cases of products to individual consumers and small businesses.
2. Wholesale/Distribution: Products are sold through wholesale channels and distributor relationships to retailers nationwide including Walmart, Dollar Tree, Food Lion, and BJ's Wholesale.
3. Retail Store Sales: Products distributed through various retail locations throughout the United States with some international distribution, available at various price points based on bag size.
4. Licensing/Collaboration: Goetze's generates revenue through brand collaborations such as the Caramel Creams Ale with Guinness Open Gate Brewery and milkshake partnerships with Sheetz.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Caramel Creams is a signature caramel candy product line manufactured by Goetze's Candy Company since 1918. The candies feature a proprietary wheat-based chewy caramel wrapped around a creamy center, made with real dairy milk, and are offered in multiple flavors including Original, Brownie, Honey Bun, and seasonal Pumpkin Pie. They are sold through major retail chains, the company's own e-commerce store, and wholesale distributors nationwide.

Product overview

Goetze's Candy Company offers two main candy product lines: Caramel Creams® (round candies, also known as Bull's-eyes®) and Cow Tales® (elongated rope-style candies). Both products share a secret family recipe featuring soft, chewy wheat-based caramel wrapped around a creamy center, made with real dairy milk. The products are nut-free and trans-fat-free. Caramel Creams® are available in Original, Brownie, Honey Bun, and seasonal Pumpkin Pie flavors. Cow Tales® come in Original Caramel, Caramel Apple, Caramel Brownie, Strawberry Smoothie, and Honey Bun flavors. Both product lines are manufactured in Baltimore, Maryland and distributed nationwide through retailers and online channels. The company also maintains a Sweet Stuff wrapper redemption program and offers recipe content featuring their candies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Caramel Creams: The signature product line consisting of soft, chewy caramel wrapped around a creamy center. Available in Original, Brownie, Pumpkin Pie, and Honey Bun flavors.
• Cow Tales
• Bulls-Eyes

Products and services

• Original Caramel Creams The flagship product since 1918: soft, chewy caramel wrapped around a creamy center. America's original favorite caramel candy, nut-free, made with real dairy milk and wheat flour. Available in various bag and box sizes nationwide.
• Brownie Caramel Creams Caramel Creams featuring a soft, chocolate center that tastes like a decadent brownie, offering a chocolate variation of the classic caramel candy.
• Honey Bun Caramel Creams Caramel Creams featuring chewy caramel infused with honey bun flavors, a creamy center, and hints of cinnamon throughout.
• Pumpkin Pie Caramel Creams Limited edition seasonal flavor blending Goetze's signature chewy caramel with a spiced cream center inspired by homemade pumpkin pie, featuring real dairy milk and nostalgic fall spice aroma. Nut-free and trans-fat-free seasonal treat.
• Original Cow Tales An elongated version of Caramel Creams introduced in 1984, featuring the same chewy caramel wrapped around a creamy center. Nut-free and trans-fat-free, made with real milk and wheat-based recipe.
• Caramel Apple Cow Tales Cow Tales with caramel apple flavor, combining the signature chewy caramel with apple-inspired taste.
• Caramel Brownie Cow Tales Cow Tales featuring a chocolate brownie-flavored center within the chewy caramel wrapper.
• Strawberry Smoothie Cow Tales Cow Tales with strawberry smoothie flavor, offering a fruity variation of the classic chewy caramel treat.
• Honey Bun Cow Tales Cow Tales infused with honey bun flavors, featuring a creamy center and hints of cinnamon. Introduced April 2024 to celebrate Cow Tales' 40th anniversary. Available in 1 oz and 4 oz Minis peg bags at Dollar Tree, Food Lion, and online.
• Special Edition Cow Tales Packs (Bake Shoppe and Sweet Shoppe) Special edition gift-style packs of Cow Tales available exclusively through Goetze's Amazon storefront. Bake Shoppe includes Brownie and Honey Bun Cow Tales; Sweet Shoppe includes Caramel Apple and Strawberry Smoothie Cow Tales.

Quantifiable outcome

• 130 years of continuous operation as a family-owned business
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mast General StoreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2025First collaboration with historic Mast General Store on a candy bar product. Mast General Store is a beloved retailer known for curated specialty foods and nostalgic products.
• Maryland State Fair & Agricultural SocietyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 August 2025Goetze's named Official Education Partner of 2025 Maryland State Fair. Supports Barnyard Bedtime Stories literacy program in Cow Palace. First 100 participants nightly receive agriculturally-themed books, Cow Tales bookmarks, and mini Cow Tales bags. Also supporting nine Baltimore County Public Library visits.
• National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2024Cow Tales Grand National Circuit sponsorship extended through 2026. Cow Tales provides free samples at select NTPA National Events. Sponsorship aligns brand with agricultural and motorsports events popular with target demographic.
• Guinness Open Gate Brewery BaltimorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2024Partnership to create Caramel Creams Ale - a 4.5% ABV cream ale brewed with the same vanilla found in Goetze's signature recipe. First launched August 2024, returned for second year in June 2025 for National Candy Month. Available exclusively at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe. Represents two iconic Baltimore brands collaborating on limited-edition product.
• SheetzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2022Family-owned convenience store chain collaboration creating Cow Tales-flavored milkshakes. Seasonal offerings include Caramel and Cream, Strawberry Cream, Caramel Apple, and Fudge Brownie flavors. Free Cow Tales minis included with milkshake purchase. Partnership leverages both family-owned companies' brand recognition.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tootsie Roll Industries: Public, multi-generational US chewy candy manufacturer with a comparable heritage profile and product mix of caramels, taffy, and chews. Similar family-controlled DNA and national mass retail distribution make it the closest comparable on scale and operating model.
• Werther's Original: Owned by Storck, Werther's Original competes head-to-head with Caramel Creams in the soft caramel / caramel-cream candy category with strong brand recognition and similar mass retail placement.
• Spangler Candy Company: Privately held, multi-generational US candy manufacturer (Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops). Similar profile of a heritage family-owned mid-sized CPG with national mass distribution and seasonal/limited-edition strategies.
• Jelly Belly Candy Company: Family-owned, mid-sized US specialty confectioner with comparable national retail distribution, multi-channel revenue, brand-licensing activity (Jelly Belly jelly beans), and similar generational ownership narrative.
• Brach's (Ferrara Candy Company): Brach's is a heritage caramel brand directly competing with Caramel Creams on shelf. Now owned by Ferrara Candy Company, it represents the closest direct product overlap (classic boxed caramels) under a broader multi-brand portfolio.
• Bob's Candies: Specialty caramel candy maker (Sugar Daddy, Sugar Babies, Caramels) competing directly in the chewy caramel category where Caramel Creams sits.

Broad incumbents

• See's Candies: Long-standing American heritage confectioner with comparable nostalgic brand equity and gift/occasion orientation. Broader chocolate portfolio but operates in adjacent US confectionery space.
• Russell Stover Chocolates: Iconic American boxed-chocolate heritage brand with comparable nostalgia positioning and national retail footprint. Broader product portfolio, but operates in adjacent occasion/segment.
• Kraft Caramels (Kraft Heinz): Kraft-branded caramels (now under Kraft Heinz) directly compete in the retail caramel segment. As a CPG incumbent, Kraft Heinz has materially greater scale, trade spend, and distribution leverage.

Emerging players

• Enstrom Candies: Smaller specialty caramel/toffee manufacturer with a heritage, craft positioning overlapping Caramel Creams' nostalgic-American identity. Relevant comparability on product format and brand narrative rather than scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goetzecandy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@goetzescandycompany5542
• Facebookfacebook.com/goetzecandy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goetze%27s-candy-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/explore/locations/75430064307/goetzes-candy-company

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 caramel creams