Zero bar

Zero is a candy bar known for its unusual white exterior and a layered combination of caramel, peanut and almond nougat. The product was originally called Double Zero, a name intended to suggest an icy or exceptionally cool character, before being shortened to Zero in 1934. Its pale coating became the brand’s defining visual feature and helped distinguish it from the predominantly brown chocolate bars that dominated the category. The coating is a confectionery covering rather than technically white chocolate because it does not contain cocoa butter. The bar is sometimes compared with Snickers because both products combine caramel, nougat and peanuts, although Zero also uses almond nougat and predates Snickers. Its coating historically had a higher melting point than brown chocolate, which made the product suitable for summer vending in the era before widespread air conditioning. The brand’s corporate history follows a series of confectionery-business ownership changes. Hollywood Brands was acquired by Consolidated Foods Corporation in 1967, and production continued after a fire destroyed the company’s Centralia plant in 1980. A replacement facility opened in 1983. Huhtamaki Oyj acquired Hollywood Brands in 1988, placing the brand within Leaf, Inc. Hershey Foods Corporation acquired Leaf’s North American confectionery operations in 1996, bringing Zero into the Hershey portfolio. Zero remains sold in multiple package sizes, including an approximately 1.85-ounce standard bar, a larger king-size bar and multipack formats. Its positioning is primarily nostalgic and differentiated: it offers a familiar caramel-and-nougat candy-bar format while using a white, non-chocolate coating as its signature. Public discussion of the product often focuses on its distinctive appearance and its resemblance to, but historical priority over, later peanut-and-caramel bars such as Snickers.

Zero originated as the Double Zero candy bar. The original name was intended to evoke an icy or especially cool product, and it was shortened to Zero in 1934. The bar’s white coating was unusual in the candy category and became its principal identifying characteristic. Although commonly described informally as white chocolate, the coating contains no cocoa butter and therefore is not technically white chocolate. The product’s formulation combines caramel with peanut and almond nougat beneath the white coating. Its resemblance to Snickers is based on the shared presence of caramel, nougat and peanuts, but Zero predates Snickers and differs through its almond component and white exterior. The coating also historically melted at a higher temperature than conventional brown chocolate, contributing to the product’s suitability for vending during hot weather before air conditioning was widespread. Zero’s manufacturing history is connected to Hollywood Brands. Consolidated Foods Corporation acquired Hollywood Brands in 1967; Consolidated later became associated with the Sara Lee corporate identity. Production continued after a fire destroyed the Centralia, Illinois, plant in 1980, and a new facility opened in 1983. Huhtamaki Oyj of Helsinki acquired Hollywood Brands in 1988, after which the brand became part of Leaf, Inc. In 1996, Hershey Foods Corporation acquired Leaf’s North American confectionery operations, including production of the Zero bar. The brand subsequently remained part of Hershey’s confectionery portfolio. It has been offered in standard, king-size and multipack formats. The standard bar is approximately 1.85 ounces, the king-size format approximately 3.4 ounces, and the multipack contains individually wrapped standard-size bars. Zero’s continuing identity rests less on a broad product family than on the persistence of its original recipe concept and visually distinctive white coating.

• 2020

  King-size and multipack formats documented

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  The brand was documented as being sold in standard-size, king-size and six-count multipack formats.

• 1996

  Hershey acquired Leaf North America confectionery operations

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  Hershey Foods Corporation took over Leaf’s North American confectionery operations, including the Zero brand.

• 1988

  Hollywood Brands acquired by Huhtamaki

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  Huhtamaki Oyj acquired Hollywood Brands, which became part of Leaf, Inc.

• 1983

  Replacement production facility opened

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  A new manufacturing facility opened following the Centralia plant fire.

• 1980

  Centralia production plant destroyed by fire

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  A fire destroyed the Centralia plant, but production of the bar continued.

• 1967

  Hollywood Brands acquired by Consolidated Foods

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  Consolidated Foods Corporation acquired Hollywood Brands, beginning a new phase of corporate ownership for the brand.

• 1934

  Double Zero name shortened

  [1]Zero baren.wikipedia.org

  The candy bar’s original Double Zero name was shortened to Zero.

A nostalgic American candy bar differentiated by its white confectionery coating and combination of caramel, peanut and almond nougat.

• Candy bar

  Zero bar

  The core Zero product combines caramel, peanut and almond nougat beneath a white confectionery coating. The coating gives the bar its signature appearance and differentiates it from conventional chocolate-covered candy bars. It is available in a standard bar of approximately 1.85 ounces, a king-size version of approximately 3.4 ounces and six-count multipacks containing individually wrapped standard bars.

• 1996

  Transfer of the brand to HersheyM&A

  Background

  Leaf’s North American confectionery operations were acquired after the brand had passed through Hollywood Brands, Consolidated Foods and Huhtamaki ownership.

  Action taken

  Hershey Foods Corporation acquired the North American confectionery operations, including Zero production.

  Aftermath

  Zero became part of Hershey’s confectionery portfolio.

  Source

• 1934

  Shortening of the product nameStrategy

  Background

  The candy bar was originally marketed as Double Zero, a name intended to convey an icy or cool impression.

  Action taken

  The name was shortened to Zero.

  Aftermath

  Zero became the enduring brand name and remains associated with the bar’s distinctive white appearance.

  Source

1. 1Zero baren.wikipedia.org