Hershey's Milk Chocolate

The Hershey Company, founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1894, is one of the world's most iconic confectionery brands. Originally established as a subsidiary of the Lancaster Caramel Company, it transitioned into a chocolate powerhouse after Milton Hershey sold his caramel business to focus on milk chocolate production. The company's headquarters and main manufacturing facilities are located in Hershey, Pennsylvania—a town built specifically around the factory.

While the majority of Hershey's products for the North American market are manufactured in the United States, the company operates 19 plants worldwide as of 2022. Key international manufacturing sites include facilities in Canada, Mexico, and Brazil to serve regional markets. Despite its global reach, Hershey remains a quintessentially American brand, maintaining a significant portion of the U.S. chocolate market share and continuing its legacy of philanthropy through the Milton Hershey School.