The 27 Best Selling Candy Bars of All-Time

When it comes to candy bars, there’s something about that chocolatey sweet goodness that keeps candy lovers coming back for more. Ever since Hershey sold the first candy bar in 1900, the confectionary world has been turned upside down. However, Hershey might be the most recognizable name, but he was not officially the first chef/food architect to discover the art of making a solid bar from chocolate.

That honor goes to Joseph Fry. In 1847, Fry pressed a paste of cocoa powder with sugar and became the inventor of the sugary goodness that would mark the beginning of the candy bar craze. Since Fry and Hershey, an outpouring of entrepreneurial chocolatiers has begun to create delectable delights to win over even the most discerning candy bar connoisseur.

The current outlook of the best-selling candy bar market is highly positive, as the demand continues to surge due to expanding e-commerce platforms, increasing global penetration, enhanced marketing strategies, and product innovations. A few remarkable statistics about the best-selling chocolate bar industry include –

The global chocolate industry is estimated to be worth $127.9 billion in 2024, with 2022’s annual consumption of about 7.5 million tons or 16 billion pounds of chocolate annually.
The average cost of a chocolate bar for 2024 is up 8%, and about 40 percent of chocolate purchased is done online.

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Chocolate is a treat that will never lose its popularity—whether it is a kid grabbing a best-selling candy bar at the local market or others choosing to buy gifts for friends or family. Some of the best-selling candy bars of all time have found a way to create a delectable, sweet treat that turns up the volume for junk food junkies

After extensive research, we have curated a list of each best-selling candy bar of all time. Our selection, noted below, includes chocolate and sugary sweets that have been winning the hearts of sweet tooth lovers for more than a century – some even longer. Even the newest best-selling candy bars were introduced to the marketplace more than fifty years ago!

So, if you’ve been in the market for some sweet inspiration, you will probably find what you have been looking for!

27 Best Selling Candy Bars of All-Time (Updated 2023)

Each of the best selling candy bars that made our list offers something unique, which, when introduced to a new generation, begins to create a new base of fans for the future –

27. Kinder

Manufacturer – The Ferrero Group
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1968
Flavors and Varieties – offers a wide range of chocolate products, from chocolate bars (The KINDER Line) to surprise-filled treats – that delight parents and children, like the Kinder Joy Egg.
Key Elements of Success – this candy bar’s distinctive filling and crunchy texture contribute to its unique standing in the crowded chocolate bar market.

The KINDER™ brand, which ranks as the second-largest chocolate brand in the world, is currently sold in 170 countries. Kinder Bueno, which launched globally in 1990 and was introduced in the US in 2019, by the iconic Italian company, is a best selling chocolate bar filled with hazelnut cream around a thin wafer in 60 countries worldwide.,

26. Twix

Manufacturer – Mars, Inc.
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1967
Flavors and Varieties – variations include caramel, white/dark chocolate versions, peanut butter, and ice cream bars.
Key Elements of Success – Twix’s satisfying chocolate and crispy crunch create the perfect combo.

Twix was first made in Britain and didn’t actually make its debut in the United States until the end of the next decade. The Twix, which was designed as a whole cookie attached to a tasty chocolate bar, combined the best of two worlds. This confectionery treat carried on his family’s tradition as world-famous chocolatiers.

25. 100 Grand Candy Bar

Manufacturer – The Ferrera Candy Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1964
Flavors and Varieties –. Like similar best selling candy bars, the 100 Grand bar is available in several sizes.
Key Elements of Success – a crunchy yet creamy experience that wins over candy lovers all over the globe.

Originally produced by Nestle as the $100,000 Candy Bar, this best selling chocolate bar is now classically known as the 100 Grand Bar. Now owned and manufactured by the Ferrara Candy Co., these 100 Grand Bars are made with caramel, crisped rice, and rich, smooth milk chocolate. In global markets with varying currencies, the original name often included extra zeroes to account for currency differences

24. Caramello

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1968
Flavors and Varieties – Caramello has also been used as a primary flavor for other food products, such as ice cream, milkshakes, and baked goods.
Key Elements of Success – Made with rich and creamy milk chocolate that is filled with a center filled with a delectable soft, smooth, and creamy caramel.

Caramello was created by the Cadbury company, a British confectionery company founded in the early 19^thCentury. However, the history of the Caramello candy bar can be traced back to the mid-1960s, when Cadbury experimented with chocolate chemical formulations that combined new/interesting flavors. When introduced, this best-selling chocolate and caramel bar became hugely popular with American and Aussie lovers.

23. Jet Chocolate

Manufacturer – Grupo Nutresa
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1961
Flavors and Varieties – varieties include milk, mint or dark chocolate bars, hazelnut, with wafers and there is a spreadable version that compares to Nutella.
Key Elements of Success – each bar is wrapped with a surprise – pictures about animals, landscapes, important places, and other fun facts about the country of Columbia.

Jet chocolates are your classic milk chocolate bars that are crafted by Columbian artisans, and they hold the distinction of being the first chocolate bars produced in Columbia. This delicious and hugely popular candy bar offers a perfect mix of chocolate and milk; with its unique and unmistakable flavor, the Milk Chocolate

22. Dove Galaxy

Manufacturer – Mars, Inc.
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1939/1986
Flavors and Varieties – various varieties and products have been used with the “Dove Concept.”
Key Elements of Success – these indulgent bars are made with premium ingredients creating a luxurious taste.

In North America, this candy bar is sold as Dove, while everyone else across the globe knows it as Galaxy. While the premise first started as an ice cream bar in 1939 in Chicago, Illinois, it wasn’t until 1986 that the candy bar version of Dove Galaxy was introduced to the confectionery world. Globally, this best selling candy bar has become one of the most popular chocolate bars, and according to Bloomberg, there was a time when the Dove Galaxy ranked among the top three-selling chocolate bars.

21. Chunky

Manufacturer – The Ferrera Candy Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – Late 1930s
Flavors and Varieties –Available, at times, in Chunky Cuties and with pecans, dark chocolate, sold milk, and deluxe nuts.
Key Elements of Success – the candy bar’s unusual pyramid shape was a unique selling feature.

Chunky refers to a candy bar made with milk chocolate, raisins, and roasted peanuts with sections that can be easily separated; however, originally made with milk chocolate, raisins, cashews, and Brazil nuts, but now made with peanuts rather than cashews and Brazil nuts. The inventor – Phil Silverstein was a friend of William Wrigley, Jr. – of the Wrigley Gum Fame, who distributed the bar for him; however, this best-seller was part of the 1964 NYC World’s Fair Exhibits.

20. 5th Avenue Candy Bar

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1936
Flavors and Varieties – the original 5^th Avenue Bar was once topped with almonds, but these were removed as a cost-savings measure in the 1990s.
Key Elements of Success – The original bar was named to associate with the elevated status of Fifth Avenue in NYC at that time.

The 5th Avenue candy bar is a best-selling candy bar that is a long-time favorite chocolate bar consisting of peanut butter crunch layers surrounded by chocolate that has been keeping candy bar lovers and fans happy for decades. The 5^th Avenue bar offers a unique texture in a simple and delicious candy bar and was a big-time favorite of the founder of Virginia’s Martinsville Speedway, so the 5^th Avenue Bar was the only candy available at the speedway until he died in 1999.

19. Nestle’s Crunch

Manufacturer – The Nestle Family/The Ferrara Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1938
Flavors and Varieties – Nestle Crunch is available in the U.S. in a variety of sizes – a segmented bar, Fun Size, Minis, & Giant, plus various products that use the ‘crunch concept.’
Key Elements of Success – In the 1980s, Nestlé Crunch set the world record for the biggest chocolate bar at 7,000 pounds. Nestlé Crunch.

Another chocolate candy bar trendsetter is Nestle’s Crunch Bar, which was invented when the chocolatier was looking to add texture to every bite of chocolate. Nestle was a brilliant businessman – always reinventing the same product. Case in fact – In 2012, Nestlé Crunch became the first candy bar to agree to partner with the Girl Scouts, reinventing the iconic Girl Scout Cookie.

18. Kit Kat

Manufacturer – The Nestle Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1935
Flavors and Varieties – There are Kit Kat flavors, including milk, white, mint, and dark chocolate.
Key Elements of Success – the four-fingered bar – which snaps apart was an idea that came from the company’s ‘suggestion box.’

Created by Rowntree in the United Kingdom, nothing seems to beat the appeal of a Kit Kat, which is now produced in 16 countries. This best-selling chocolate bar consists of a chocolate-covered wafer bar. While many speculate on the origin of the name, the reality is that it dates back to the 18th century. Mutton pies were known as Kit Kat – food items for meetings the political Kit-Cat Club held.

17. 3 Musketeers

Manufacturer – Mars, Inc.
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1932
Flavors and Varieties – over the years, variations have included mocha cappuccino, cherry, birthday cake, truffle crisp, marshmallow, coconut, hot chocolate, raspberry, orange, S’mores, strawberry, French vanilla, and more.
Key Elements of Success – advertising for this candy bar began during the 1950s-era Howdy Doody show.

The 3 Musketeers bar is a simple yet delicious candy bar with a fluffy, whipped nougat center surrounded by deliciously smooth milk chocolate. This best-selling candy bar is among the most famous global brands. Originally, each package had three pieces – chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla – hence the 1844 Alexander Dumas novel reference when naming.

16. Payday

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1932
Flavors and Varieties – the Chocolatey PayDay bar was introduced in 2020, along with other limited editions like a protein version and a glazed honey version.
Key Elements of Success – It uniquely combines a firm, sweet caramel core with a salty, crunchy peanut coating, offering a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors.

PayDay is an iconic, all-American favorite produced by the Hershey Company but invented by the Hollywood Candy Company. The PayDay candy bar consists of salted peanuts rolled over a nougat-like sweet caramel center. PayDay got its name when none of the employees could think of a name. Someone realized it was their company’s payday, and in a moment of inspiration, someone suggested payday.

15. Snickers

Manufacturer – Mars, Inc.
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1930
Flavors and Varieties – In addition to the original, there are Snickers versions that include peanut butter, white chocolate, peanut brownie, almond, dark chocolate, and more.
Key Elements of Success – The mix of peanut, milk chocolate, and caramel pairs perfectly with the nougat.

On a global scale, Snickers has been the top-selling chocolate bar since it hit the market nearly a century ago. This best selling candy bar was named to honor the manufacturer’s family racehorse – Snickers. When visiting sites like Quora, the Snickers Bars is this candy bar that garners the most mention as a fan favorite than any other globally. In the UK, it was once known as Marathon until 1990.

14. Health Bar

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1928
Flavors and Varieties – variations of the bar have included bars with Peanuts, Milk Chocolate Toffee Crunch, and the Double Heath bar.
Key Elements of Success – The Heath family decided to include their toffee confection on the dairy products order form. Heath dairy truck customers could then order Heath bars to be delivered with the rest of their order.

The Heath Bar, which consists of a thin, hard toffee slab with a milk chocolate coating, was introduced by the Heath Brothers Confectionery in Illinois nearly one hundred years ago. The heath/toffee concept has been used in a number of products, including a mix-in for the famous Steve’s Ice Cream in Boston.

13. Mr. Goodbar

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1925
Flavors and Varieties – the company offers various sizes and packages of Mr. Goodbar.
Key Elements of Success – the simplicity of premium milk chocolate and fresh peanuts in an easily identifiable package.

Mr. Goodbar’s candy bars are now considered a classic treat and one of the best-selling candy bars of all time. These classics consist of a salty-sweet blend of thick pieces of raw roasted peanuts and smooth chocolate that is crunchy and creamy, salty and sweet -the epitome of a satisfying candy bar.

12. Butterfinger

Manufacturer – The Ferrera Candy Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1923
Flavors and Varieties – many limited versions have been available, but the mini, king-size, and dark chocolate are the versions that have stood the test of time.
Key Elements of Success – it helped that this candy bar was Bart Simpson’s favorite!

You can’t go wrong with a Butterfinger! This beloved candy bar, invented by the Curtiss Confectionary Company, consists of a slightly crispy texture that features a peanut butter-flavored center coated in milk chocolate. The combination provides a satisfying and unforgettable, crunch-filled experience. Butterfinger’s initial release involved dropping the candy bar from airplanes to crowds below.

11. Milky Way

Manufacturer – Mars, Inc.
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1924
Flavors and Varieties – this classic is sold in a variety of sizes and is included conceptually in various food and beloved items.
Key Elements of Success – it was Mars’s first filled-in chocolate bar.

Milky Way was first introduced to the American market and then became a hit in the UK marketplace about a decade later. The Milky Way bar is made of nougat, topped with caramel, and covered with smooth milk chocolate. Most people mistakenly believe it was named for the astronomical galaxy when its name/taste came from a malted milk drink (milkshake) popular when the candy bar was invented.

10. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1923
Flavors and Varieties – all shapes and sizes – including various flavors in limited edition varieties.
Key Elements of Success – the combination of chocolate and peanut butter is among the most satisfying marriages of flavors.

This Harry Brunett Reese classic, which was invented by a dairy farmer, remains one of the all-time favorites. According to Wikipedia, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups consistently rank among the top-selling candy brands in the U.S. Reese’s is also one of the bestselling candy brands across the world, with annual sales that consistently exceed $2 billion.

9. Charleston Chew

Manufacturer – The Tootsie Family
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – mid-1920s
Flavors and Varieties – the original chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla are available, along with fruit flavors and bite-sized versions.
Key Elements of Success – Charleston Chew is known for its unique nougat-like center’s texture that becomes chewy when frozen.

The Charleston Chew candy bar was introduced by the Fox Cross Candy Company. This best-seller, which was named for the popular dance craze – the Charleston – during the roaring 1920s, is made of nougat covered in a chocolate coating. Charleston Chew candy bars, fascinatingly, have been used to demonstrate rheology (a branch of physics that deals with matter flow) to students in North American university geology laboratories.

8. ZERO

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1920
Flavors and Varieties – available in three different-sized candy bars.
Key Elements of Success – Resembling the Snickers, except with White chocolate, Zero bar was initially a popular choice for summertime eating because the coating melts at a higher temperature than dark chocolate.

Although currently produced by Hershey’s, Iconic IP Interests actually owns the rights to this best-selling chocolate bar. The ZERO Bar, which has been around for more than a century, is made of caramel, almond nougat, and peanuts, which are combined and wrapped in a layer of white chocolate fudge.

7. Oh Henry!

Manufacturer – The Ferrara Candy Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1920
Flavors and Varieties -the Canadian version of the Oh Henry! Bar has fudge in the center, with the chocolate fudge surrounded by a thin layer of caramel, nuts, and a final coating.
Key Elements of Success – The bars were known for their hearty texture and nutty richness.

Oh, Henry! candy bars feature peanuts, caramel, and fudge – surrounded by deliciously smooth and rich chocolate. Although many stories exist, no one is really sure where the name comes from, and currently, after multiple owners, the bar has no longer been sold in the U.S. since 2019.

6. Baby Ruth

Manufacturer – The Ferrera Candy Company
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1920
Flavors and Varieties – the company released Baby Ruth ice cream and crisp bars.
Key Elements of Success – In 1923, the company founder chartered a plane to promote the and dropped thousands of Baby Ruth bars, each with its own miniature parachute, first over Pittsburgh and then another 40 cities.

Baby Ruth is a best-selling chocolate bar that consists of peanuts, rich caramel, and chewy nougat – all combined and covered in a delicious chocolatey coating. Although thought to be named after the famous baseball player at that time, the manufacturer of the original candy claimed this best-selling chocolate bar was named after President Grover Cleveland’s daughter – Ruth.

5. Toblerone

Manufacturer – The Mondelez International
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1908
Flavors and Varieties – there have been fruit/nut, snow top, honeycomb crisp, crunchy salted almonds, and white and dark chocolate versions throughout the years.
Key Elements of Success – Toblerone is known for its distinctive shape, which includes a series of joined triangular prisms.

Toblerone was first manufactured in Bern, Switzerland, by Theodor Tobler. It holds the distinction of being the first patented chocolate bar. Tober and his cousin, Baumann, created this prism-style chocolate treat. The interior of the Swiss Tobler factory in Switzerland was the local for the opening of the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory title sequence.

4. Milka

Manufacturer – Mondelez International
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1901
Flavors and Varieties – variations include toffee, hazelnut spread, almonds, caramel, hazelnuts, coconut, white cholate, raisins, raspberry cream, Oreos, and more.
Key Elements of Success – In addition to its unique packaging, the chocolate is made with Alpine milk.

Milka was originally a Swiss product featuring the infamous mascot – the purple cow. This best-selling chocolate bar is Germany’s most popular candy bar in Germany and in many other countries around the world. The unusual name is a portmanteau of a candy bar’s two main ingredients – “Milch” (milk) & “Kakao” (cocoa).

3. Hershey’s Bar

Manufacturer – The Hershey Company

Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1894
Flavors and Varieties – sold in a number of novelty shapes and sizes.
Key Elements of Success – Hershey chocolate bars are considered to be the “Great American Chocolate Bar!”

Hershey’s infamous chocolate bar began at the turn of the 20^th century and has been the company’s flagship product since. Hershey invented his now world-famous chocolate bar after seeing a German chocolate manufacturing device at an exposition in Chicago. Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Today, billions of Hershey’s bars are sold around the world. According to Eat This, Not That!, about 250 million chocolate bars labeled Hershey have been sold annually.

2. Lindt

Manufacturer – Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Spruengli AG
Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1879
Flavors and Varieties – chocolate truffles and chocolate bars since the 1800s.
Key Elements of Success is one of the most iconic and largest Swiss chocolate manufacturers.

Lindt is based in Kilchberg, Switzerland, where it operates its main factory and museum, although it operates a total of 12 factories globally. The company maintains more than 400 chocolate cafés and shops globally that offer chocolate and desserts, like handmade chocolates, macaroons, cakes, and ice cream.

1. Cadbury Chocolate Bars

Manufacturer -Mondelez International

Date Introduced to the Marketplace – 1824/1865
Flavors and Varieties – the company offers many varieties (some limited editions) that include fruit/nut, dark chocolate, roasted almond, and more.
Key Elements of Success – Britain’s John Cadbury founded a confectionary company that would first dominate the coffee/tea industry before becoming a successful chocolatier in 1865

Cadbury now ranks among the oldest of the best selling candy bars of all time. Cadbury’s chocolate bars have become an all-time bestseller as an independent sweet treat but have also been used in cooking recipes that prefer to use a whole bar of chocolate rather than liquids and powders.

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The 27 Best Selling Candy Bars of All-Time

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