Hershey acquires barkTHINS
Hershey has acquired barkTHINS, a manufacturer of Fair Trade, Non-GMO Project verified chocolate-based snacks.

HERSHEY, PA. — The Hershey Co. has acquired Ripple Brand Collective L.L.C., Congers, N.Y., owner of the barkTHINS snacking chocolate brand for an undisclosed amount.

BarkTHINS products primarily are sold in the United States through a variety of retail channels, including conventional, specialty and club. In 2016, the business is forecast to generate sales in the range of $65 million to $75 million.

Michele Buck, Hershey
Michele G. Buck, president, North America for The Hershey Co.

“This acquisition is a great addition to our Hershey chocolate portfolio and enables us to expand our mass premium offerings into this growing and on-trend category,” said Michele G. Buck, president, North America for The Hershey Co. “Since its launch in 2013, barkTHINS has quickly become a favorite snack brand due to its commitment to using simple ingredients, fair trade cocoa, non-G.M.O. certification, and no artificial flavors or preservatives. BarkTHINS is a very attractive and uniquely crafted brand that essentially created a new form of chocolate snacking.”