About 1920, Henry Kessler founded the York Cone Company Corporation on South Pine Street in York, Pennsylvania.[1] The company originally sold ice cream cones and waffles before Kessler wanted to make a chocolate and mint themed candy.[2] Although news articles commonly have it that the York Peppermint Pattie was first produced in York, Pennsylvania by Henry Kessler at his York Cone Company in 1940,[3] a trademark application for “York Peppermint Pattie Mint (Candy)” filed by York Cone Company Corporation on February 10, 1949, shows a first use in commerce date of January 28, 1922, soon after the founding of the company. The trademark registration number 0564557 was awarded on September 30, 1952.[4]
Although chocolate-covered peppermints already existed before the York Peppermint Pattie came on the market, the York differed in that it was firmer and crisp, while the competition was softer and gooier. A former employee and York resident, Phil Kollin, remembered the final test that sample patties went through before leaving the factory: "It was a snap test. If the candy didn't break clean in the middle, it was a second."[5]
The business expanded sales beyond the local market and without consumer advertising the York Peppermint Pattie was being sold in the Northeast, parts of the Midwest and in Florida.[6]
In 1972, the York Cone Company was acquired by Peter Paul,[8] who then launched the York Peppermint Patties nationally in 1975.
Peter Paul then merged with Cadbury for $27.50 per share, a total of $58 million in 1978.[9]
In August 1988, Hershey acquired the US confectionery operations of Cadbury Schweppes which included the Almond Joy, Mounds and York Peppermint Pattie business. The purchase price was $284.5 million plus assumption of $30 million in debt and it included licensing arrangements for Almond Joy, Mounds, York Peppermint Pattie, as well as certain Cadbury brands in the US market.[10]
In 2009, after 23 years in the Reading plant, production of the York Peppermint Pattie moved from Reading, Pennsylvania, to Mexico.[11]
Promotion
During the 1970s, Peter Paul launched a memorable advertising campaign for the candy with the tagline "Get the Sensation" which continues to be used into the present day. A TV commercial in 1979 included the “Get The Sensation” theme.[12]
In the fall of 1982, Peter Paul launched an advertising campaign using an “I Love New York” theme to promote adding 10% more chocolate to the candy.[13]
National Peppermint Patty Day is celebrated each year on February 11.[14]
Product and variations
In the confectionery industry, enrobing is a process that involves covering a confection or snack with chocolate or chocolate coatings.[15] The York Peppermint Pattie confection features strongly contrasting flavors, with a bittersweet dark chocolate surrounding a sugary center with a strong peppermint flavor.
Over time there have been a number of product variations such as the following:
Sugar Free Peppermint Patties – a sugar-free version of the traditional Peppermint Pattie.[16]
Chocolate Truffle Mint – introduced in 2004, which had a brown filling.[17]
Limited Edition Pink Pattie – introduced in October 2005. Peppermint Pattie with pink filling. Sale proceeds are donated to breast cancer research through the Young Survival Coalition.[18]
York Mints – introduced in 2007, a tin filled with bite-sized mints that have a mint shell, chocolate on the inside, and more mint on the inside.
York Peppermint Bites – Introduced in 2003. Bite sized, round shaped candy. Introduced with other Hershey flavors.
Peppermint Batties – Bat-shaped Peppermint Patties made each year around Halloween. Replaced with Peppermint Patties Pumpkins in 2007.
Peppermint Patties Pumpkins – introduced in October 2007 for Halloween. Pumpkin-shaped Peppermint Patties with orange filling.
Peppermint Patties Miniature Hearts Heart Box – introduced for Valentine's Day. Heart-shaped patties in a heart-shaped box.
Peppermint Pattie Snowflakes – for Christmas, snowflake-shaped Peppermint Patties.
