Did Fannie May Buy Harry London?

By Anna Duncan

There has been a lot of buzz lately about whether Fannie May has bought Harry London, two of the biggest names in the chocolate industry. While there is some truth to these rumors, the details are more complicated than they seem.

The Background

Fannie May is a well-known chocolate brand that was founded in Chicago in 1920. They offer a wide variety of chocolates and are particularly famous for their Pixies, which are creamy caramel and pecan clusters covered in rich chocolate.

Harry London, on the other hand, was founded in Canton, Ohio in 1922. They are best known for their signature chocolate-covered pretzels and their Buckeyes – peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.

The Acquisition

In 2006, Fannie May was acquired by 1-800-Flowers.com, Inc., a leading florist and gift shop company. However, in July 2018, it was announced that Fannie May had been sold to Ferrero International S.A., a global confectionery company based in Italy. This acquisition included all Fannie May stores and production facilities.

So where does Harry London fit into all of this? In 2019, it was announced that Ferrero had acquired the Harry London brand from RMCF Holdings Company Inc., which had previously owned Harry London since 2003.

The Impact

While both Fannie May and Harry London have been around for almost a century and have loyal followings, the impact of these acquisitions remains to be seen. It’s possible that these changes could lead to new product offerings or expanded distribution channels for both brands.

However, some fans worry that with new ownership comes a change in quality or tradition. Only time will tell if these concerns are valid.

The Bottom Line

In short, while it’s true that both Fannie May and Harry London have undergone recent changes in ownership, the details are more complex than a simple buyout. Ferrero International S. now owns both brands, and it remains to be seen how this will impact their products and offerings in the future.