Gardners Candies, a beloved Pennsylvania confectionery brand with 128 years of rich history, is stepping into a new era with the introduction of its first-ever brand mascot. Set to make its debut at the Irish Heritage Festival in Tyrone, Pennsylvania on March 15, 2025, the mascot represents the company’s famous Original Peanut Butter Meltaway Bar. As COO Jim Westover explains, “Mascots connect companies with consumers in fun and engaging ways. They also create visibility, which is extremely important as we grow Gardners into a national brand.” This exciting rollout coincides with a nationwide contest inviting fans to name the new character, further strengthening the connection between this historic candy company and its devoted customers.
A Sweet New Face for a Historic Brand
The decision to create a brand mascot represents a significant milestone for Gardners Candies as they aim to expand their national presence. The character, modeled after their signature Original Peanut Butter Meltaway Bar, embodies the company’s dedication to quality and tradition while adding a friendly face to their marketing efforts. This chocolate-inspired character will serve as a visual ambassador, helping to introduce new customers to the brand while delighting longtime fans.
The mascot’s first public appearance is strategically planned for the Irish Heritage Festival in Tyrone, Pennsylvania—the very town where Gardners Candies began its journey in 1897. The festival, which celebrates the area’s rich cultural heritage, provides the perfect backdrop for unveiling this new chapter in the company’s story. Festival attendees will be the first to meet the character and participate in the naming contest that follows.
I’ve always been fascinated by how food brands use mascots to create memorable impressions. Much like how creative churro-inspired recipes can transform a classic treat, this mascot aims to reinvent how people connect with Gardners Candies. The character design thoughtfully incorporates elements of their famous chocolate bar while maintaining a friendly, approachable appearance that will appeal to candy lovers of all ages.
According to Jim Westover, COO of Gardners Candies, this mascot introduction marks a strategic marketing evolution for the brand. “Mascots connect companies with consumers in fun and engaging ways. They also create visibility, which is extremely important as we grow Gardners into a national brand,” Westover explained. This statement highlights the company’s understanding that as they expand beyond their Pennsylvania roots, creating strong brand recognition through visual elements becomes increasingly important.
Name That Chocolate Mascot: A Nationwide Contest
The excitement doesn’t stop with just the mascot reveal. Gardners Candies is inviting candy enthusiasts across the country to participate in a week-long naming contest for their new character. Running from March 15 to March 22, 2025, the contest encourages creative submissions that capture the essence of both the mascot and the beloved brand it represents.
Contest entries will be evaluated based on three key criteria: creativity, originality, and alignment with the Gardners brand identity. This approach ensures the winning name will not only be catchy and memorable but also authentically represent the company’s values and heritage. The judging process will likely involve key stakeholders from Gardners Candies who understand the company’s vision and direction.
For one lucky winner, the reward goes beyond just naming rights. The person who submits the chosen name will receive a full year’s supply of Original Peanut Butter Meltaway Bars—that’s 365 bars of chocolate and peanut butter goodness! This prize not only represents a substantial value but also allows the winner to enjoy the very product that inspired the mascot they helped name.
The contest winner announcement is scheduled for the week of March 30, 2025, giving the company time to review all submissions and select the perfect name. This timing also creates a strategic marketing opportunity, extending the buzz around the mascot introduction for several weeks. The naming contest is reminiscent of how entrepreneurs might engage customers when launching a food business, creating community involvement from the very beginning.
128 Years of Candy-Making Excellence
Understanding the significance of this mascot introduction requires appreciating Gardners Candies’ impressive legacy. Founded in 1897 by James “Pike” Gardner in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, the company has maintained its commitment to quality confections for 128 years. This longevity is particularly remarkable in the competitive candy industry, where many brands have come and gone.
The company’s humble beginnings in small-town Pennsylvania have expanded into a respected regional brand with national reach. Today, Gardners operates retail stores throughout central Pennsylvania, maintaining a strong presence in its home territory. Yet their reach extends far beyond those state borders—they now ship their products to all 50 U.S. states, making their candies accessible to chocolate lovers nationwide.
Gardners’ retail strategy also includes partnerships with major convenience stores and retailers across the Eastern United States. Their products can be found in well-known chains including Sheetz, Giant Eagle, GetGo, Giant Food Stores, and CVS. They’ve even secured placement in CIBO Express airport locations, introducing travelers to their delicious treats.
The company’s growth trajectory mirrors the successful path many specialty food businesses follow. Starting with local loyal customers, then expanding regionally, and finally developing national distribution channels. The addition of a brand mascot represents the next logical step in building nationwide recognition for this historic Pennsylvania company that continues to innovate while honoring its traditions. This blend of heritage and forward thinking reminds me of the innovative approaches in dessert making we’re seeing across various sweet treats in 2025.
The Meltaway Magic: Signature Products and Seasonal Offerings
At the heart of Gardners Candies’ success is their flagship product: the Original Peanut Butter Meltaway Bar. This signature confection has earned a devoted following thanks to its perfectly balanced combination of chocolate and peanut butter in a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s no wonder the company chose to base their first mascot on this beloved product.
While the Meltaway Bar remains their most famous offering, Gardners produces a diverse range of premium confections. Their product line includes chocolate-covered pretzels, caramels, brittles, and other chocolate specialties. Each item maintains the company’s standards for quality ingredients and careful production methods.
Seasonal specialties form an important part of Gardners’ business model as well. Their Easter pails filled with individually wrapped Original Peanut Butter Meltaways have become a tradition for many families. These seasonal offerings help the company maintain relevance throughout the year and provide opportunities to create special packaging that appeals to gift-givers.
The attention to seasonal opportunities shows Gardners’ understanding of how candy purchases often align with holidays and celebrations. Just as specialty dessert makers might create unique cookie variations for different occasions, Gardners adapts its product packaging and selections to match seasonal consumer preferences while maintaining consistent quality across all offerings.
Beyond Retail: Gardners’ Additional Services
Gardners Candies has expanded beyond traditional retail to offer a variety of services that leverage their confectionery expertise. Their fundraising programs provide schools, sports teams, and community organizations with delicious products to sell for their causes. This program not only helps worthy causes raise necessary funds but also introduces Gardners products to new potential customers.
The company also offers business and custom gifting solutions, perfect for corporate events, client appreciation, and employee recognition. These services allow businesses to provide high-quality gifts with a personal touch. Many companies appreciate the option to customize packaging with corporate logos or special messages, making Gardners products an excellent choice for professional gift-giving.
For businesses looking to develop their own branded chocolate products, Gardners provides private label services. This option allows retailers and specialty food brands to offer premium chocolates under their own brand name, backed by Gardners’ 128 years of candy-making experience. The combination of quality production capabilities and flexible business models has helped Gardners establish lasting partnerships across multiple industries.
Looking at these diverse business offerings, I’m reminded that successful food companies rarely limit themselves to a single channel. Much like the creative entrepreneurs who experiment with new dessert concepts, Gardners has found multiple ways to bring their confections to different audiences. This adaptability has surely contributed to their longevity and continued relevance in a competitive market.
Sweet Future: What’s Next for Gardners Candies
With the introduction of their first mascot and the nationwide naming contest, Gardners Candies is clearly positioning itself for continued growth and innovation. The mascot represents just one component of what appears to be a larger strategy to increase brand recognition beyond their Pennsylvania home base. This character will likely become a central element in their marketing materials, social media presence, and possibly even in-store displays.
The timing of this mascot introduction—coinciding with their 128th year of operation—suggests that Gardners is balancing respect for tradition with forward-looking marketing approaches. By involving customers in the naming process, they’re creating a sense of ownership and connection that can translate into brand loyalty. The substantial prize of 365 Meltaway Bars ensures high participation rates for the contest.
As Gardners Candies expands its national footprint, we might expect to see increased distribution partnerships, additional product innovations, and perhaps even new retail locations. The mascot will likely play a key role in making the brand more recognizable to consumers outside their current market areas. This character may help them stand out in crowded candy aisles and create instant brand recognition in new territories.
For candy enthusiasts and brand watchers alike, Gardners Candies represents an interesting case study in how a historic brand evolves while maintaining its core identity. The mascot introduction demonstrates that even after 128 years, there are always new opportunities for connection with customers. I’ll be watching with interest to see what name is selected for this chocolate ambassador and how it helps shape the next chapter of Gardners Candies’ story.