The Dark Story of Brach's Candy Factory: How Chicago's Candy Giant Became Mexican Imports

For decades, the name Brach’s was synonymous with Chicago. From the massive, bustling factory that employed thousands to the iconic "Pick-a-Mix" displays that defined every American childhood, Brach’s was an unstoppable empire. So, how did a candy giant that dominated the industry for nearly a century end up shuttering its Chicago plant and moving its production across the border? In this video, we pull back the curtain on the corporate mergers, the union struggles, and the brutal economic shifts that turned a Chicago institution into an import brand. This is the dark, true story of the rise and fall of Brach’s Candy.