14 Weird Facts About Hershey You’ve Never Heard Before
Hershey is equivalent to chocolatey goodness, but there’s much more to this sweet empire than meets the eye. Hidden behind the famous bars and kisses are some seriously unexpected facts that will make you see Hershey in a new light. This article will unwrap some of the weirdest tidbits about the chocolate giant that you probably never knew—but won’t forget anytime soon!
Caramel Beginnings
Credit: Amazon
Before Hershey became the chocolate empire it is today, it was all about caramel. Milton S. Hershey started with the Lancaster Caramel Company. It was wildly popular, but he saw bigger potential in something new: milk chocolate. He sold Lancaster Caramel for $1 million in 1900 and used that money to fund what would become the Hershey Chocolate Company.
Titanic Near-Miss
Credit: Instagram
Milton Hershey had a ticket for the Titanic’s maiden voyage. Yes, that famous Titanic. He and his wife, Catherine, had plans to sail, but business matters kept him away at the last minute. Instead, he booked on the German liner Amerika, missing one of history’s most infamous disasters.
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Credit: flickr
Milton Hershey built an entire town in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was designed as a model community for workers, with schools, parks, and even a trolley system. Thanks to the factory’s operations, the town still smells like chocolate on certain days. Talk about living in a sweet spot!
Hersheypark Origins
Credit: flickr
Roller coasters and chocolate might not seem like a natural match, but Hershey made it work. In 1906, he opened Hersheypark as a relaxing place for his employees. It started with simple picnic areas, a merry-go-round, and a small pond for boating. Over time, it transformed into a full-blown amusement park with a lot of chocolate.
Hershey’s Kisses
Credit: flickr
Hershey’s Kisses have been around since 1907, but no one knows precisely how they got their name. One popular theory was that the machine’s sound when it plops the chocolate down the conveyor belt sounded like kisses. This automation started in 1921, complete with that signature paper plume on the top.
Hershey’s Chocolate Factory
Credit: flickr
If Willy Wonka’s factory were real, it might have some competition. Hershey’s chocolate plant in Hershey, Pennsylvania, covers 2.2 million square feet—roughly 38 football fields of pure chocolate-making magic! When it first opened in 1905, it was already the largest chocolate factory in the world, and it has only grown since then.
Chocolate Soap
Credit: ebay
The company experimented with chocolate-scented soap to make use of leftover cocoa butter. While it was an interesting idea, it never really took off. After all, people love eating chocolate—but rubbing it all over their skin was a different story. These days, you can still find chocolate-infused spa treatments, but Hershey-branded soap is long gone.
Military Chocolate
Credit: Instagram
The U.S. government commissioned the company to create a unique ration bar that wouldn’t melt in heat, wouldn’t crumble in transport, and, most importantly, wouldn’t taste too good during World War II. They didn’t want soldiers eating them like snacks. The result was the D Ration Bar, a dense, bitter, calorie-packed block of chocolate.
Hershey’s Times Square
Credit: Facebook
Hershey managed to make Times Square even sweeter when they opened a flagship store in the heart of New York City. Since 2002, Hershey’s Chocolate World has been a must-visit destination for candy lovers. Guests are greeted with oversized chocolate displays, a massive Reese’s section, and interactive stations where they can customize their own treats.
Kit Kat Licensing
Credit: flickr
Kit Kats are made by Nestlé almost everywhere in the world, except in the United States. Hershey acquired the U.S. rights to Kit Kat in 1970 before Nestlé bought the brand’s original company, Rowntree’s. If you’re wondering why American Kit Kats taste slightly different from their European counterparts, this is why.
Reese’s Integration
Credit: Reddit
Reeses was created in 1928 by H.B. Reese, a former Hershey employee. He used Hershey’s chocolate to coat his peanut butter cups, and in 1963, Hershey bought the company outright. Today, Reese’s is one of Hershey’s top-selling brands. It made chocolate and peanut butter one of the most iconic candy pairings ever.
Shaq-A-Licious Gummies
Credit: Facebook
In 2024, Hershey teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal to release Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies. The flavors include pineapple, watermelon, and blue raspberry, some shaped like Shaq’s face. Biting into a Shaq-shaped gummy might sound a little strange, but it’s exactly the kind of offbeat candy collaboration that makes Hershey so fun.
Butterbeer Kisses
Credit: Reddit
Hershey knows how to keep things interesting, and in 2025, they released Butterbeer Kisses, inspired by the famous wizarding world drink. While Butterbeer has been a fan favorite at theme parks and cafes, turning it into a bite-sized chocolate treat was a game-changer. Just don’t expect them to give you any magical powers—except maybe a sugar rush.
Hershey’s Chocolate Spa
Credit: flickr
The Hotel Hershey features a spa that offers treatments like the Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Fondue Wrap, and Cocoa Massage, all designed to leave skin feeling soft. The treatments actually use cocoa’s natural antioxidants to nourish the skin.
Hershey’s Chocolate Pipeline
Credit: Facebook
Liquid chocolate once flowed through underground pipes in Hershey, Pennsylvania. These pipes transported the melted chocolate from the main Hershey factory to the Reese’s plant without the hassle of trucks or cooling issues. Too bad it wasn’t open for public taste tests!