Sweet Truths About Albanese Candy Factory
For over 40 years, Albanese Candy Factory has been making life sweeter with their irresistible gummies and chocolates. Located in Merrillville, Indiana, this family-owned business has redefined what it means to create the “World’s Best” candy. From their famous 12 Flavor Gummi Bears® to their innovative chocolates, Albanese is proof that candy-making is both an art and a science.
From Roasted Nuts to Gummy Fame
Albanese didn’t start with gummy bears. Scott Albanese, from Dolton, Illinois, opened the business in 1983 as a retail candy store in Merrillville, and the company first made its name roasting and coating nuts for local distribution (Wikipedia, 2026). The gummies came later. In the mid-1990s Scott Albanese went looking for a way to build a gummi bear with stronger, more distinct fruit flavors, and the company began manufacturing its own gummy candy in 1998 once that recipe was dialed in (Wikipedia, 2026).
That late pivot is why the “12 Flavor Gummi Bears®” are the flagship rather than an afterthought. Each color is meant to taste like a specific fruit instead of a generic sweet, which is the whole pitch behind the “World’s Best Gummies” slogan the company has used for years (Albanese Confectionery, 2026). More than 40 years in, Albanese still calls Northwest Indiana home. Its main manufacturing runs out of a 350,000-square-foot plant in nearby Hobart (Wikipedia, 2026), and the Merrillville factory store out front is the closest most fans get to watching candy come off the line.
What Makes Albanese So Special?
Albanese built its name on gummies. Their treats are known for a soft texture, bold flavors, and that stamp of quality: the “A” on the tummy. So what is the secret?
Flavor First: Albanese puts flavor and texture at the heart of everything they create. Each gummy is crafted to deliver a burst of fruity goodness, whether it’s the tropical taste of mango, the sweetness of pineapple, or the tartness of pink grapefruit.
Quality Ingredients: By sourcing ingredients from trusted American and European growers, they ensure every bite meets the highest standards.
Innovative Spirit: Albanese is constantly pushing the boundaries of candy-making. From sour gummies that start sour and stay sour to gummies that don’t freeze in ice cream, they’ve revolutionized how we enjoy candy.
Beyond Gummies
While Albanese gummies are the star of the show, they offer so much more. Their in-house chocolates are rich and creamy, their nuts are perfectly roasted and salted, and their signature mixes are packed with flavor. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or a fan of savory snacks, there’s something for everyone.
And if you have food allergies, Albanese has you covered. All their gummies are gluten-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free. For those looking for Kosher or Halal options, many of their chocolates, nut mixes, and Gold Label treats meet these dietary requirements.
A Sweet Campaign: Gummies That Give
Albanese also puts real effort into giving back. With their Gummies That Give initiative, they’re partnering with charities and community organizations to make a difference.
From supporting school fundraisers to donating to food banks, Albanese is committed to spreading joy far beyond their candy factory. Whether you’re hosting a charity event or looking for a unique way to give back, Albanese can help make your efforts even sweeter with their signature treats.
If you’re interested in partnering with Gummies That Give, reach out to Albanese and see how their candy can bring smiles to your community.
Plan Your Visit: Hours and the Two Merrillville Stores
Albanese runs two spots in Merrillville, and it’s easy to mix them up. The main Factory Store is at 5441 E. Lincoln Highway, and there’s a separate Outlet Store at 1910 W. 81st Ave. (Albanese Confectionery, 2026). Both keep the same hours: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time (Albanese Confectionery, 2026). Hours can shift around holidays, so it’s worth a quick call to (219) 947-3070 before a long drive.
The Factory Store is the one with the viewing windows and the full candy floor, so that’s the stop to make if you want the biggest selection and the chance to peek at production. Sampling is encouraged at both, and the staff will point you toward whatever’s freshest. If you’re coming from Chicago or anywhere along I-65, it’s a quick detour, and it pairs well with a stop in the Region before heading south.
Visiting the Albanese Factory Store
The Albanese Factory Store sits at 5441 E. Lincoln Highway in Merrillville, an easy stop off I-65 in Northwest Indiana. Set your expectations first: this is a large factory retail store, not a guided Willy Wonka tour. Big viewing windows run along an elevated hallway that looks onto the production floor, but they sit high up behind the candy counters, and Tripadvisor reviewers note you often catch very little of the line actually running, especially on weekends (Tripadvisor, 2026). Formal guided tours have been discontinued. What you get is the chance to watch gummies ride the conveyor when production is going, one of the biggest candy selections in the state, and staff who encourage sampling. The store still holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating across more than 500 Tripadvisor reviews (Tripadvisor, 2026), so most people leave happy. They just leave with a bag of candy instead of a tour memory.
Can’t make it in person? Albanese also ships online, with careful packaging to help your order arrive in good condition, even in hot weather.
Look for the Albanese "A"
What truly sets Albanese apart is their attention to detail. Every gummy is stamped with their signature “A” on the tummy, a mark of excellence that guarantees you’re enjoying the best.
The “A” is more than a logo. It stands for their commitment to flavor, quality, and a little fun in every bite, whether you’re working through the classic 12 Flavor Gummi Bears® or trying the sour or sugar-free options.
Why You’ll Love Albanese
Albanese gummies have a loyal following for a reason. The flavors are bold and the texture is soft enough that it’s hard to stop at one, and the steady stream of new releases keeps regulars coming back to see what’s next.
Between the Gummies That Give program, the focus on quality, and that “A” on the tummy, Albanese has grown a single Merrillville candy counter into a name people recognize nationwide.
So the next time you’re craving something sweet, look for the “A.” It’s the mark Albanese stamps on the gummies it bills as the “World’s Best.”
Make It a Candy Road Trip Across Indiana
Albanese is the biggest name in Hoosier candy, but it’s one stop on a much longer trail, and we’ve eaten our way through most of it. In our ranking of the best Indiana candy brands, Albanese takes the top spot, but the shops right behind it are worth the drive on their own.
Down in Jeffersonville, Schimpff’s Confectionery has been hand-pulling Cinnamon Red Hots on marble tables since 1891, and USA Today named it the “Best Candy Store in America” in 2025 (Schimpff’s Confectionery, 2025). In Goshen, Olympia Candy Kitchen has run its soda fountain since 1912; one of our writers grew up grabbing a burger and a green river there on lunch breaks from a first job on Main Street. And in the small town of Attica, Wolf’s Fine Chocolates has been making caramels and truffles since the 1940s and once sent a batch of its chocolate up into the stratosphere as a stunt. String a few of these together and you’ve got a weekend that beats any single factory store.
