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1. It all started in 1857—after two total failures.
After working as an apprentice with a candy maker during his teen years, founder Milton S. Hershey tried to start a chocolate business in Pennsylvania but failed. He tried again in New York and failed again. It wasn't until he started making caramels from fresh milk and opened the company in Lancaster, PA that he found success.
2. Hershey's was the first to mass-produce chocolate.
At the 1893 World's Expo in Chicago, Hershey became fascinated by German chocolate-making machinery so he purchased two of them for his factory. Thanks to these machines, and a little business savvy from Hershey, milk chocolate was mass-produced for everyone for the first time—and was no longer a luxury for the wealthy.
3. There's a story behind the iconic Kisses commercial.
An employee went rogue to make this happen. And actually, it almost didn't happen at all. Hershey's brand manager at the time went forward with filming before getting his idea approved. It was pretty risky, but we're glad he had the guts.
4. Hershey's built an entire town dedicated to chocolate.
It's called Chocolatetown, USA and it's, of course, located in Hershey, PA. There you can take a tour of the chocolate-making process, hop on a trolley, watch "4D" movies, take home sweet souvenirs, and join in on chocolate tastings.
5. The flagship produces 70 million Hershey's Kisses every day.
Located in Hershey, PA, it is home to one of the largest and most technologically advanced chocolate-making facilities in the world.
6. There are 24 locations in 10 countries.
You can visit and taste Hershey's chocolate no matter where you are in the world. From Memphis, TN to São Pauo, Brazil to Hong Kong to Tokyo to Seoul, Korea to Guadalajara, Mexico to Dubai.
7. It created a cookie just for Pizza Hut.
Included in the slice shop's popular Triple Treat box, the giant-size chocolate chip cookie is perfectly gooey and loaded with chocolate.
8. Kisses got a serious upgrade.
Last fall, golden-wrapped "deluxe" Hershey's Kisses were debuted at nearly double the size of the original. Plus, they're filled with hazelnut and crisped rice.
9. You can put Hershey's chocolate on anything.
Presumably to rival cult-classic Nutella, Hershey's launched its own chocolatey spread that you can slather on your morning toast, waffles, pancakes, strawberries, graham crackers, cheesecake, or turn into no-churn ice cream—the possibilities are basically endless.
10. Kisses have come in nearly every flavor imaginable.
From birthday cake to pumpkin spice to carrot cake, we've seen an insane range of chocolate kisses over the years. And we're excited to see what Hershey's dreams up next.
11. The newest Hershey's candy bar is also a cookie.
Combining our two favorite things on the entire planet, Hershey's created an insane layered, crunchy cookie candy bar. It comes in three flavors—vanilla creme, caramel, and mint—and packs two layers of crunchy cookie bits with a creamy filling. You've got to get your hands on these if you haven't already.
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