Last updated 3 months ago | Originally Published: August 20, 2023
In a blockbuster deal that has the confectionery world buzzing, Bazooka Candy Brands has been purchased for an eye-popping $700 Million! The acquisition was spearheaded by Apax Partners, a leading private equity firm, who’ll take over the reins from The Torante Company, owned by former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, and Madison Dearborn Partners.
Originally a subsidiary of The Topps Company Inc., known for its trading cards, Bazooka became a standalone entity in 2007. The trading card division was subsequently sold off to Fanatics, while Eisner and Madison Dearborn Partners retained ownership of the candy-focused unit, later rebranded as Bazooka Candy Brands.
The Bazooka Legacy
Bazooka Candy Brands is a key player in the confectionery sector, boasting an array of popular products like Ring Pop, Push Pop, Baby Bottle Pop, Juicy Drop, and, of course, the iconic Bazooka Bubble Gum. The company has its roots in Brooklyn, New York, where it initially operated under Topps Chewing Gum.
Post-World War II, the brand introduced Bazooka Bubble Gum to the market in 1947, forever changing the gum industry. By 1953, Bazooka Joe comics were introduced, adding a cultural element to the product and aiding its global expansion.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in the brand’s history, and industry insiders are keen to see how Apax Partners will steer Bazooka into its next chapter.
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