York Peppermint Pattie
An American confectionery brand built around a dark-chocolate-coated peppermint patty with a firm, crisp center.
Last updated October 16, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
York Peppermint Pattie is an American confectionery brand known for a round peppermint center covered in dark chocolate. The product is associated with a sharp contrast between the cool, strongly flavored mint filling and the bitter-sweet chocolate coating. It was introduced in 1940 by Henry Kessler through the York Cone Company in York, Pennsylvania, a business that had originally made ice-cream cones and waffles. The product became distinctive in a confectionery category that already included chocolate-covered mint sweets because its center was designed to be firmer and to break cleanly rather than remain soft or gooey. A reported factory quality check became known as the “snap test”: patties that did not break cleanly were treated as seconds. The brand’s early distribution extended beyond York without relying initially on large-scale consumer advertising. Sales reached the northeastern United States, parts of the Midwest, and Florida. The brand’s historical commercial timeline is complicated by the distinction between the company’s origins and the product’s later public launch. The York Cone Company was founded around 1920, while a later trademark filing identified an earlier first-use-in-commerce date for the York Peppermint Pattie name; the product is nevertheless commonly dated to its 1940 introduction. In 1972, York Cone Company was acquired by Peter Paul, a confectionery company that subsequently expanded York Peppermint Patties nationally in 1975. Peter Paul later became part of Cadbury’s United States confectionery operations. In 1988, Hershey acquired Cadbury Schweppes’ U.S. confectionery business, bringing the York Peppermint Pattie business into the Hershey portfolio alongside brands such as Almond Joy and Mounds. Production moved from the Reading, Pennsylvania, plant to Mexico in 2009 after more than two decades at the Reading facility. Marketing has centered on the sensory experience of the product. Peter Paul’s 1970s “Get the Sensation” advertising platform became the brand’s best-known slogan and continued to be associated with York. A 1979 television commercial used the slogan and theme, while a 1982 campaign adapted the “I Love New York” concept to promote a version with 10 percent more chocolate. The brand has also been extended through seasonal shapes, bite-sized formats, sugar-free products, and limited editions. Examples include York Peppermint Bites, York Mints, holiday bats, pumpkins, snowflakes, hearts, Easter shapes, and a pink-filled limited edition whose proceeds supported breast-cancer research through the Young Survival Coalition. Today, York Peppermint Pattie remains a Hershey-owned American chocolate-mint brand, primarily positioned as an individually portioned treat and an after-meal or refreshment-oriented confection. Its identity depends less on a broad portfolio than on the recognizable pairing of dark chocolate and intense peppermint, together with seasonal and format variations that support gifting, holidays, and sharing occasions.
History
The business behind York Peppermint Pattie began in York, Pennsylvania, where Henry Kessler founded the York Cone Company Corporation around 1920. The company initially manufactured ice-cream cones and waffles. Kessler later pursued a confectionery product combining chocolate and mint. The York Peppermint Pattie is commonly described as having been introduced in 1940, although the chronology of the brand name is not entirely straightforward. A trademark application filed by York Cone Company Corporation in 1949 stated a first use in commerce date of January 28, 1922, and the mark was registered in 1952. The product’s generally cited 1940 introduction therefore refers to its recognized confectionery launch rather than necessarily the earliest documented use of the name. Chocolate-covered mint candies already existed when York entered the market. York’s differentiating feature was the texture of its peppermint center. Rather than offering a soft or liquid-like filling, the product was made with a firm center that was expected to fracture cleanly beneath the chocolate shell. Former employees recalled a factory “snap test” used to check this characteristic: pieces that failed to break cleanly were considered seconds. The product’s formula and presentation established the basic identity that continues to define the brand: a strong peppermint filling enclosed by a dark chocolate coating. The brand first developed through regional distribution. It reached customers in the Northeast, portions of the Midwest, and Florida even before the company invested in extensive consumer advertising. This geographic growth gave the product a broader base than its York origins suggested. In 1972, the York Cone Company was acquired by Peter Paul. Peter Paul then undertook a national launch of York Peppermint Patties in 1975, transforming the product from a regional confection into a nationally distributed American candy brand. Peter Paul’s ownership was followed by a major change in corporate structure. In 1978, Peter Paul merged with Cadbury in a transaction reported at $27.50 per share and a total value of $58 million. The York business subsequently became part of Cadbury’s U.S. confectionery activities. In August 1988, Hershey acquired Cadbury Schweppes’ U.S. confectionery operations. The reported transaction included the York Peppermint Pattie business, as well as Almond Joy, Mounds, and certain U.S. licensing arrangements. York has remained part of Hershey’s brand portfolio since that acquisition. Advertising played an important role in giving the product a recognizable emotional and sensory identity. During the 1970s, Peter Paul introduced the “Get the Sensation” campaign and slogan. The platform emphasized the cooling peppermint experience and continued to be used in later brand communications. A 1979 television commercial incorporated the slogan. In 1982, Peter Paul ran an “I Love New York”-themed promotion tied to a product claim that the candy contained 10 percent more chocolate. Hershey and its predecessors extended the brand through multiple formats and seasonal products. York Peppermint Bites were introduced as smaller, round pieces, while York Mints used a tin format and a layered mint-and-chocolate construction. Other extensions included a sugar-free version, a chocolate truffle mint with a brown filling, and a pink-filled limited edition connected with breast-cancer fundraising. Seasonal versions used shapes such as bats, pumpkins, hearts, snowflakes, eggs, and an Easter bunny. These variants broadened the brand’s use for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Easter without changing its core chocolate-and-peppermint proposition. Manufacturing also changed under Hershey ownership. In 2009, after 23 years at the Reading, Pennsylvania, facility, York Peppermint Pattie production moved to Mexico. The brand remains active and is primarily associated with the U.S. market. Its long-term recognition rests on the combination of a firm peppermint center, dark chocolate coating, a pronounced cooling sensation, and a slogan-led advertising history.
- 2009
Production moves from Reading to Mexico
[1]Manufacturing moved from Hershey’s Reading, Pennsylvania, plant to Mexico after 23 years at the Reading facility.
- 1988
Hershey acquires the U.S. Cadbury confectionery business
[1]Hershey acquired Cadbury Schweppes’ U.S. confectionery operations, including York Peppermint Pattie.
- 1978
Peter Paul merges with Cadbury
[1]Peter Paul merged with Cadbury in a reported $58 million transaction.
- 1975
National launch
[1]Peter Paul launched York Peppermint Patties nationally in the United States.
- 1972
Peter Paul acquires the York business
[1]Peter Paul acquired the York Cone Company and its peppermint confectionery business.
- 1952
York trademark is registered
[1]The relevant trademark registration was awarded on September 30, 1952.
- 1949
Trademark application records an earlier first-use date
[1]A York Cone Company trademark application for “York Peppermint Pattie Mint” recorded January 28, 1922, as the first use in commerce date.
- 1940
York Peppermint Pattie is introduced
[1]The confectionery product commonly identified as York Peppermint Pattie was introduced through Kessler’s York business.
- 1920
York Cone Company is founded
[1]Henry Kessler founded the York Cone Company Corporation in York, Pennsylvania; the business initially made ice-cream cones and waffles.
Products and positioning
An accessible mainstream chocolate-mint confection positioned around a strong peppermint sensation, dark-chocolate coating, clean snap, and seasonal portability.
Chocolate-covered mint confection · 1940
York Peppermint Pattie Pumpkins
The core York product is a round peppermint confection enrobed in dark chocolate. Its defining sensory contrast is a firm, strongly flavored mint center against a bittersweet chocolate shell. The traditional product is associated with a clean break or “snap” when bitten, distinguishing it from softer chocolate-covered mint candies. York Mints were introduced in a tin and used a layered structure with mint on the outside, chocolate in the middle, and additional mint inside. The product extended the York identity beyond the traditional patty shape. The pumpkin-shaped Halloween product used an orange filling and offered a seasonal variation on the standard York format.
Bite-sized chocolate confection · 2003
York Peppermint Bites
Introduced as a smaller format, York Peppermint Bites retain the brand’s peppermint-and-chocolate combination in compact, round pieces designed for sharing or individual snacking.
Mint-filled chocolate confection · 2004
Chocolate Truffle Mint
This variation used a brown filling rather than the traditional white peppermint center, providing a truffle-style interpretation of the York mint-and-chocolate format.
Limited-edition chocolate confection · 2005
Limited Edition Pink Pattie
Introduced with a pink filling, this limited edition connected the York brand to breast-cancer fundraising. Proceeds were donated to breast-cancer research through the Young Survival Coalition.
Sugar-free chocolate confection
Sugar Free Peppermint Patties
A sugar-free version of the traditional York Peppermint Pattie developed for consumers seeking an alternative formulation while retaining the brand’s chocolate-and-peppermint profile.
Seasonal confectionery
York seasonal shapes
The brand has used holiday shapes including bats, pumpkins, hearts, snowflakes, eggs, and an Easter bunny. These products adapt the core peppermint patty for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and Easter occasions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2005Limited Edition Pink Pattie fundraising promotion
United States
A pink-filled limited edition was sold in support of breast-cancer research; sales proceeds were donated to breast-cancer research through the Young Survival Coalition.
Outcome. Sales proceeds were donated to breast-cancer research through the Young Survival Coalition.
- 1982I Love New York chocolate promotion
United States
Peter Paul used an “I Love New York”-themed campaign to promote a York Peppermint Pattie formulation advertised as containing 10 percent more chocolate, connecting a well-known New York theme with a product-improvement message.
Outcome. The campaign connected a well-known New York theme with a product-improvement message.
- 1979Get the Sensation television advertising
United States
A York television commercial used the “Get the Sensation” theme to dramatize the product’s mint-focused sensory appeal, reinforcing the slogan as a recognizable part of the brand identity.
Outcome. The commercial reinforced the slogan as a recognizable part of the brand identity.
- 1970Get the Sensation
United States
Peter Paul developed the “Get the Sensation” advertising platform to emphasize the cooling, intense peppermint experience of York Peppermint Pattie. The slogan became the brand’s most enduring advertising association and continued to be used in later promotion.
Outcome. The slogan became the brand’s most enduring advertising association and continued to be used in later promotion.
Brand decisions
2009
Move production from Reading to MexicoStrategyBackground
York Peppermint Pattie had been produced at the Reading, Pennsylvania, facility for 23 years.
Action taken
Production was transferred from Reading to Mexico.
Aftermath
Manufacturing continued outside the former Pennsylvania plant.
1988
Hershey acquires York through Cadbury’s U.S. operationsM&ABackground
York Peppermint Pattie was part of Cadbury Schweppes’ U.S. confectionery portfolio following the earlier Peter Paul–Cadbury combination.
Action taken
Hershey acquired Cadbury Schweppes’ U.S. confectionery operations, including the York business.
Aftermath
York Peppermint Pattie became part of Hershey’s portfolio and remains owned by The Hershey Company.
Acquisition consideration. $284.5 million plus assumption of $30 million in debt (1988)
1975
Expand York Peppermint Pattie nationallyStrategyBackground
The product had developed regional distribution across the Northeast, parts of the Midwest, and Florida under earlier ownership.
Action taken
Peter Paul launched York Peppermint Patties across the United States.
Aftermath
The brand became a nationally distributed American confectionery product.
Recent events
- 2009
York Peppermint Pattie production moves to Mexico[1]
Other
After 23 years at the Reading, Pennsylvania, plant, production was transferred to Mexico.
- 1988
Hershey acquires Cadbury’s U.S. confectionery operations[1]
M&A
Hershey acquired Cadbury Schweppes’ U.S. confectionery operations, including the York Peppermint Pattie business and related brand licensing arrangements.
- 1978
Cadbury combines with Peter Paul[1]
M&A
Peter Paul merged with Cadbury in a transaction reported at $27.50 per share and a total value of $58 million.
- 1975
York Peppermint Patties receive national rollout[1]
Other
Peter Paul expanded the product from its established regional distribution into national U.S. distribution.
- 1972
Peter Paul takes control of York Cone Company[1]
M&A
Peter Paul acquired the York Cone Company, bringing the York Peppermint Pattie business into its confectionery portfolio.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/york-peppermint-pattie · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled