America's Most Loved Snack and Candy Brands
By Brett Dworski on May 08, 2018CHICAGO -- More than a quarter of America’s top 25 favorite brands in 2018 are snack and candy companies, according to a new report from Washington, D.C.-based market research firm Morning Consult. For its annual America’s Most Loved Brands study, the firm conducted more than 250,000 interviews, asking consumers to indicate whether they had a favorable or unfavorable view of various companies. The top 25 brands were named based on their “favorability” score.
Here are the snack and candy labels among America’s Most Loved Brands …
Hershey
Overall rank: No. 2
Favorability score: 78.6
Candy maker Hershey ranked as the No. 2 most loved brand overall in the study with a favorability rating of 78.6. It came in just behind technology giant Google, which scored a rating of 78.7. The Hershey, Pa.-based chocolate giant is coming off a strong 2017, during which its mint, gum, snack and candy sales rose 1.7%, according to its year-end financial report. Earlier this year, Hershey partnered with 7-Eleven to create the Gold Caramelized Cappuccino for a limited-time offer.
Kellogg
Overall rank: No. 6
Favorability score: 75.9
Kellogg finished sixth overall and second highest of all snack and candy brands with a favorability score of 75.9. In February 2017, the Battle Creek, Mich.-based company revealed a new strategy to grow its snack and candy business, transitioning from direct-store delivery to a warehouse model. That December, Kellogg acquired clean-label protein bar maker RXbar for $600 million.
Campbell Soup
Overall rank: No. 10
Favorability score: 72.9
Campbell Soup scored a favorability rating of 72.9, good for the 10th most loved brand on the list. The Camden, N.J.-based company ended 2017 by acquiring salty snack manufacturer Snyder’s-Lance in a $6.1 billion all-cash transaction.
Frito-Lay
Overall rank: No. 18
Favorability score: 71.4
PepsiCo's snack unit Frito-Lay came in at No. 18 with a favorability score of 71.4. In September 2017, the Purchase, N.Y.-based chip giant launched 11 new organic chip brands under its Simply line. And this month, the company revealed its quarterly net revenue increased 3% compared to last year, boosting PepsiCo's total first-quarter sales.
Nestle
Overall rank: No. 22
Favorability score: 70.8
Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestle sits at No. 22 with a favorability score of 70.8. In January, the Ferrero Group, an Italian global candy company, acquired Nestle’s U.S. confectionery business in a $2.8 billion all-cash deal. Just eight weeks later, Nestle launched its first sugar-reduction candy bar in Europe and introduced a new CEO for its Arlington, Va.-based U.S. division.
Lipton
Overall rank: No. 23
Favorability score: 69.7
Technically a beverage company, but also a sister company to Frito-Lay, Lipton ranked No. 23 on Morning Consult’s list with a favorability score of 69.7. This year, the company partnered with global nonprofit We Charity, formerly known as Free The Children, to provide financial literacy and business skills training to women in Kenya. A subsidiary of PepsiCo, the drink maker also debuted its namesake iced tea with a "Splash of Juice" in three flavors: Tropical, Berry and Pear-Peach flavors.
General Mills
Overall rank: No. 24
Favorability score: 69.6
In spring 2017, General Mills launched a variety of new products in convenience stores, including Sour Gushers, Hot Buffalo Bugles, Jalapeno Cheddar Chex Mix and Nature Valley Biscuits. Later in the year, the Minneapolis-based company said its 2018 priorities would include yogurt innovation, growing cereal globally, investing in differential growth opportunities and managing foundation brands. The brand just cracked Morning Consult's top 25, coming in at No. 24 with a favorability score of 69.6.