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Chupa Chups
Chupa Chups
from Wikipedia

Chupa Chups (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈtʃupa ˈtʃups]) is a Spanish brand of confectionery found in over 150 countries. It was founded in 1958 by Enric Bernat and is owned by the Italian-Dutch company Perfetti Van Melle. The name comes from the Spanish verb chupar, meaning "to suck". Similar confections are known as lollipops or suckers in English.[1]

Key Information

History

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In the early 1950s, Enric Bernat founded the company Productos Bernat, which specialized in the production of confectionery.[2] Bernat began working for an apple jam factory called "Granja Asturias" in 1954.[2] By 1958, he controlled 100% of the capital of Granja Asturias[2] and renamed the company Chupa Chups in 1961.[3] He built the production machines and sold a striped bonbon on a wooden stick, but later it was changed to a plastic one. To ensure that competition in Spain was reduced, he purchased the Spanish patents for similar products in 1959.[2]

A giant Chupa Chups lollipop for sale

In 1967, the company opened the Sant Esteve Sesrovires factory in Barcelona.[4]

In 1977, the lollipops appeared in Japan.[4] In the 1980s, it expanded to the United States, Germany, Italy, Russia and UK.[4] Expansion to China and Mexico happened in the 1990s.[4]

In 1991, Bernat passed formal control of the company to his children Xavier, Ramón, Marcos, Marta and Nina. The Smint subsidiary brand/company was founded in 1994.[5]

In July 2006, the company as a whole was acquired by the Italian-Dutch group Perfetti Van Melle.[6][7]

Marketing

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The Chupa Chups logo was designed in 1969 by the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí.[8][9] Its first marketing campaign was the logo with the slogan "Es redondo y dura mucho, Chupa Chups", which translates from Spanish as "It's round and long-lasting". Later, celebrities like Madonna were hired to advertise the product.

In the 1973 television series Kojak, actor Telly Savalas was featured consuming these lollipops.[10]

In the 1980s, as falling birth rates reduced the number of juvenile consumers, an anti-smoking slogan "Smoke Chupa Chups" was tried to attract adult consumers.[8] The company's current anti-smoking slogan is "Stop smoking, start sucking", with their packages parodying cigarette pack designs. Some packages parody the mandatory black and white warning labels of the European Union with the notice "Sucking does not kill."[11]

In the 1990s, Chupa Chups began supplying FC Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff with lollipops. Cruyff would suck Chupa Chups on the touchline during matches, having been forced to give up smoking for health reasons.[12][13] When Cruyff died in 2016, fans left lollipops at his memorial.[14]

Chupa Chups sponsored the 1992 video game Zool. Their logo was featured prominently in the first level, "Sweet World".[15][16]

In 1995, Chupa Chups became the first candy sent to the Mir space station.[citation needed]

In 1997, Chupa Chups launched a Spice Girls lollipop range with different packages each featuring a collectible Spice Girl sticker, toy microphones, and bubblegum packets that came with collectible Spice Girls temporary tattoos, as well as "Push Pops" and "Crazy Dips".[citation needed]

Between 2000 and 2003, Chupa Chups was the main shirt sponsor of English football team Sheffield Wednesday.[citation needed]

Since 2010, Chupa Chups was the signature of the Marriott brand hotel Springhill Suites. Chupa Chups were available at the front desk of any Springhill Suites property for free to any guest, child or adult. As of August 2021, Marriott has begun stepping away from Chupa Chups as a signature item for Springhill Suites. [citation needed]

Messer Chups is a surf rock band from Saint Petersburg, Russia. In the group's name, "Messer" is taken from the German word for "knife" and "Chups" from Chupa Chups lollipops.

In 2025, Chupa Chups launched an Australian advertising campaign with the slogan "Suck Yeah", its first major campaign in the country in more than a decade.[17]

Products

[edit]

Chupa Chups has a large product range, with their flagship lollipop being the most popular.[18]

  • Lollipops
    • Classic, 12 gram
      • Cremosa (ice cream and yogurt flavors)
    • Mini, 6 gram
    • Filled Lollipops
      • Magics (powder filled)
      • Bubble Gum (with bubble gum center)
      • Fruit-tella (flavors from nature)
      • Chocolate (filled with chocolate)
      • Cuore di Frutta
    • 2Pop
    • Sugar Free
    • XXL
    • Crazy Dips (explosion)
    • Melody Whistle Pops
  • Bubble Gums
    • Big Babol
    • Cotton Bubblegum
  • Toys
    • Spinning Faces
    • Totem Markers
    • Funky Labyrinths
    • Balloon Cars
  • Gifts and Seasonal Gifts
    • Mega Chups 750 gr
    • Back Packs
  • Chupa + Surprise
  • License Products
  • Sparkling Drinks

Chupa Chups has more than 100 flavours available worldwide,[19] including sugar-free varieties.[20] They are individually heat-sealed in the factory, and are best opened by twisting the base of the wrapper.[21]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Chupa Chups is a globally recognized Spanish brand of lollipops, consisting of on a plastic stick designed to keep children's hands clean while eating. The brand was founded in 1958 by , a Catalan entrepreneur from a family of confectioners, who revolutionized the industry by adding sticks to sweets to address the messiness of traditional bonbons. Launched in , by the early 2000s, Chupa Chups produced over 4 billion units annually, available in more than 150 countries with over 100 flavors ranging from classic to exotic options like . Initially named "GOL" (evoking a soccer , with the resembling a in a net), it evolved to "Chups" and finally to "Chupa Chups" in 1961, derived from the Spanish verb chupar, meaning "to suck" or "to lick," following a popular . In 1969, Bernat commissioned surrealist artist to design the brand's logo; Dalí sketched the iconic daisy-like emblem on a restaurant napkin, which has remained largely unchanged and symbolizes the brand's playful, artistic identity. Following Bernat's death in 2003, his family sold the company in 2006 to the Italian-Dutch giant , which has since expanded its product line to include sugar-free variants and collaborations, such as limited-edition flavors tied to sports events like those for . Today, Chupa Chups remains a , embodying innovation in and joyful snacking for all ages.

History

Founding and early development

Chupa Chups was founded in 1958 by Enric Bernat in Barcelona, Spain, when he assumed full control of the existing confectionery firm Granja Asturias S.A., originally established in 1946 as a producer of apple-based sweets. Bernat, a third-generation candy maker from a family with a confectionery tradition dating to the mid-19th century, streamlined the company's operations by eliminating nearly 200 diverse products to concentrate exclusively on developing a innovative lollipop format. This shift marked the birth of Chupa Chups as a dedicated lollipop brand, initially produced on a small scale in Bernat's Barcelona factory. The invention stemmed from Bernat's observation of children struggling with sticky, hand-held caramels, which often led to mess and hygiene issues for parents. To address this, he pioneered the modern by mounting a on a wooden stick, allowing for cleaner, more convenient consumption—likened to "eating a sweet with a ." Early production faced challenges, including manual wrapping of the candies, but the product quickly gained traction in through targeted sales at shops and newsstands. By the early , output had scaled significantly, with the company renaming to Chupa Chups S.A. in to reflect its core offering. The name derived from the Spanish verb "chupar," meaning "to suck," capturing the lollipop's playful consumption method. Initial flavors included strawberry, lemon, orange, mint, and strawberry-cream, among the first seven varieties launched, emphasizing simple fruit and cream profiles to appeal to children. Production innovations followed, enabling automation of wrapping in the early and supporting rapid domestic growth. A pivotal milestone came in 1969, when Bernat commissioned surrealist artist to design the brand's logo during a casual lunch meeting in ; Dalí sketched the iconic daisy motif with swirling, cursive script for "Chupa Chups" on a , incorporating floral elements to evoke whimsy and universality. This design, placed horizontally at the top of the wrapper for easy readability from above, solidified the brand's visual identity during its formative years.

Expansion and ownership changes

During the 1970s and , Chupa Chups underwent significant factory expansions in to support growing demand, including the opening of a second production plant in 1967 and further automation to increase output efficiency. The company entered European markets early, establishing its first foreign subsidiary in in 1967, followed by exports to in 1977 and broader penetration into countries like the , , , and by the mid-1980s. By 1980, approximately 90 percent of sales occurred outside , reflecting a shift from local to international operations, with the brand reaching dozens of countries across and beyond. These developments enabled automated production lines that scaled output substantially, though exact figures from the era are limited; by the late , the company was positioned for global growth with facilities optimized for high-volume manufacturing. In the 1990s, Chupa Chups diversified into new product formats and accelerated market entry into and the , establishing subsidiaries in key regions to adapt to local preferences and regulations. Notable expansions included a production facility in launched in 1994 and another in in 1996, which helped localize and reduce costs. The brand also entered in 1989, opening a St. Petersburg plant in 1991 to serve Eastern European demand. By 2000, annual sales exceeded 4 billion units, distributed to over 150 countries, underscoring the success of these initiatives in building a robust international . A pivotal ownership change occurred in 2006 when the Bernat family sold Chupa Chups to the Italian-Dutch confectionery giant for approximately €400 million, ending decades of independent family control. This acquisition integrated Chupa Chups into 's global portfolio, which spans over 150 countries and multiple brands, providing access to enhanced distribution networks and resources for . Post-acquisition, the company invested in R&D to refine production processes and expand facilities, including optimizations in existing plants in and while consolidating operations by closing sites in and . In recent years leading up to , Chupa Chups has focused on and adapting to under Perfetti Van Melle's oversight. Key initiatives include transitioning to paper sticks for Lollipops in , reducing use and aligning with global environmental goals, as part of broader efforts validated by the for a 42 percent reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In , the brand continued its growth through collaborations, including a beauty line with and limited-edition lollipops, alongside new product launches like Pinkis jellies. The accelerated adoption in the sector, contributing to overall sales recovery through online channels, though specific digital growth metrics for Chupa Chups remain tied to Perfetti Van Melle's portfolio-wide expansions in markets like and . These developments have sustained the brand's global scale, with production facilities in regions like continuing to support localized output amid evolving regulations.

Products

Lollipop varieties

Chupa Chups lollipops are primarily offered in a classic round format on a stick, weighing approximately 12 grams each. Standard flavors include , orange, , cherry, , , and green apple, providing a range of fruit and beverage-inspired tastes that have formed the brand's core lineup since its early years. These lollipops traditionally feature sticks, though recent sustainability efforts have introduced sticks in select markets, reducing plastic usage by approximately 60% compared to traditional options. Special editions and seasonal varieties expand the flavor profile beyond classics, with over 100 iterations introduced globally since the brand's . Notable examples include tropical fruits like and , launched in the 2000s, and dual-flavored Mix'Up lollipops combining with orange or watermelon with , released in 2021. Limited-run options, such as sour apple and bubblegum, alongside collaborations like the 2025 series with mystery flavors, cater to evolving consumer preferences for novelty. In 2024, sour variants in , , and green apple were added to the U.S. market, available in 10- and 25-count bags. Innovations in texture and filling have diversified the stick-based lineup, including filled lollipops such as those with bubblegum centers or fillings introduced in the 2010s. Responding to health trends, sugar-free options using sweeteners like emerged in the 2020s, offering low-calorie alternatives without while maintaining similar flavor profiles in varieties like cherry, , and strawberry. These variants typically weigh 11 grams and provide around 20-25 calories per piece, compared to the standard 45 calories. Packaging emphasizes convenience and visual appeal, with each lollipop individually wrapped in colorful, flavor-specific or foil designs to preserve freshness and enhance portability. Retail multipacks, such as 25- or 60-count drums and bags, facilitate bulk purchases for parties or resale, often featuring assorted flavors in a single container. A standard Chupa Chups lollipop contains about 45 calories, primarily from 11 grams of carbohydrates, with nearly all deriving from sugars (approximately 10 grams). It is fat-free and typically gluten-free, with no common allergens like nuts, though consumers should check labels for specific variants.

Other confectionery lines

Chupa Chups has expanded its portfolio beyond traditional lollipops to include a range of gums, chews, and other confections, aiming to capture a wider audience through varied textures and formats. These extensions leverage familiar fruit flavors from the core lollipop line, such as strawberry and cola, to maintain brand consistency while offering portable, mess-free options. The brand offers soft chews under the Incredible Chews line, featuring flavors like , orange, , , and green apple, designed for prolonged enjoyment with natural colors. These chews, along with jellies and varieties, target impulse purchases in convenience stores and complement variety packs by providing chewable alternatives. Some Incredible Chews are certified suitable for vegans and vegetarians, emphasizing dairy-free and animal-free ingredients. In addition to stick-based products, Chupa Chups introduced Minis in the early , small hard candies ideal for on-the-go snacking, available in assorted flavors including , cherry, and vanilla, often sold in bulk bags of 240 pieces. Collaborative products have further diversified the line, including ice cream tie-ins launched in 2016 through a partnership with , featuring Calippo Shots in flavors like and for the European market. Similar collaborations continued into the , such as mini ice creams in in 2021 and cream pops in in 2022. Beverage extensions emerged in the , with sparkling sodas in flavors like grape and cream introduced in Asian markets around 2018, and a zero-sugar Lolly Drop enhancer in 2021 designed to flavor water while reducing plastic packaging through smaller dissolvable formats. These non-lollipop lines position Chupa Chups as a versatile brand, emphasizing fun, shareable treats for casual consumption and aligning with trends in and dietary preferences.

Branding and marketing

Logo evolution and design

The Chupa Chups brand launched in with a simple logo featuring the word "Chupa" in black lettering and "Chups" in red, set against a background, reflecting the product's basic, playful origins as a handheld . This plain text design emphasized readability on early packaging but lacked distinctive visual appeal as the brand grew. In 1969, the logo underwent a transformative redesign by surrealist artist , commissioned by founder during a casual meeting in a restaurant. Dalí sketched the new emblem on a in under an hour, curving the "Chupa Chups" script in elegant, flowing letters within the petals of a red-and-white daisy flower atop a center, creating a vibrant, instantly recognizable icon. The daisy motif symbolized innocence, joy, and whimsy, aligning with the lollipop's fun essence, while the bold colors and circular form evoked modernity and energy, elevating the brand from utilitarian candy to a cultural symbol. Dalí also recommended placing the logo at the top of wrappers for optimal visibility when held, a practical touch that enhanced its market presence. From the 1970s through the 1990s, the core Dalí design persisted with minor refinements to adapt to global expansion, including subtle color gradients for depth and localized script variations in non-Latin languages while preserving the daisy and curved . In 1990, a notable update added three colorful arcs around the daisy—representing the brand's flavor varieties—to inject freshness without altering the iconic structure. Entering the , the received a digital refresh, converting it to for seamless use across websites, apps, and print media, ensuring crisp reproduction at varying sizes. For television , 3D renderings introduced dynamic shadows and rotations, amplifying its playful dimensionality while maintaining fidelity to the original. In the 2020s, amid growing environmental concerns, Chupa Chups shifted to materials like paper sticks and recyclable wrappers, but retained the unaltered Dalí to uphold instant brand recognition and heritage. The Dalí collaboration holds profound cultural significance, transforming a confectionery mark into an artistic masterpiece that bridged pop culture and . This partnership not only boosted the brand's sophisticated appeal but also cemented the logo's status as one of the most enduring in consumer goods history.

Advertising campaigns and promotions

Chupa Chups initiated its advertising efforts in the with a focus on radio spots in , transitioning to television commercials by the mid-decade to promote the product's fun, long-lasting appeal to children and families across . The inaugural campaign featured the slogan "Es redondo y dura mucho, Chupa Chups" ("It's round and long-lasting, Chupa Chups"), emphasizing the lollipop's durability and shareable joy in everyday moments. These early TV ads, aired primarily in and expanding to markets like by 1967, highlighted playful scenarios of kids enjoying the treat, contributing to steady brand recognition without large-scale budgets. In the , Chupa Chups pursued a global expansion through broader initiatives, incorporating celebrity endorsements to appeal to international audiences. This era's efforts included print and TV spots that positioned the product as a fun, accessible indulgence, supporting sales growth amid the company's push into new markets like the and . From the onward, Chupa Chups integrated digital platforms into its promotions, leveraging for interactive engagement. Campaigns on and featured viral challenges, such as the "Chupa Chups Challenge" where users timed themselves opening wrappers or showcased flavor reactions, boosting and brand interaction. Holiday-themed promotions, including Halloween packs with spooky designs and social filters, encouraged sharing among teens and families, resulting in a 9% sales increase in the UK from targeted efforts. In 2025, Chupa Chups launched the "Suck Yeah" campaign in Australia, its first major national push in over a decade, featuring playful ads with young influencers to evoke youthful rebellion and fun. Produced by Chronicle Studios, the initiative used TV, out-of-home, and digital formats to highlight the brand's vibrant flavors, targeting Gen Z consumers. Concurrently, eco-focused promotions emphasized sustainable shifts, such as Perfetti Van Melle's introduction of paper sticks for recyclable packaging, promoted via social channels to appeal to environmentally conscious buyers. Marketing expenditures have varied by campaign, with notable investments including £3 million for a 2004 UK launch of a sugar-free variant through TV and print. Recent digital initiatives, like the 2023 Halloween social drive, yielded high engagement.

Sponsorships and collaborations

Chupa Chups has engaged in various sponsorships and collaborations to boost its brand visibility, particularly through partnerships in sports, esports, fashion, and digital entertainment. In the sports realm, the brand supported MotoGP racing by sponsoring rider , who won championships in 2006 and 2007 during the initial sponsorship period, with the partnership continuing into later years. Additionally, Chupa Chups activated around the with a digital campaign featuring its mascot Chuck, including an online game to engage fans during the tournament. The brand expanded into in the 2020s, marking its entry with a sponsorship of Spanish organization Vodafone Giants in 2020, followed by a partnership with UK-based in 2021 to reach gaming audiences. These deals positioned Chupa Chups as an early player in the esports sector, aligning with youth-oriented digital trends. In fashion and pop culture, Chupa Chups collaborated with Korean designer Cho Eun-ae and her brand Tibaeg in 2021 for a natural-themed collection in , blending aesthetics with apparel. The brand also tied into through a 2020 partnership with BT21, the character line created by members, producing co-branded merchandise to appeal to global fans. More recently, in 2023, Chupa Chups teamed up with fitness brand for flavored protein products, extending its reach into and wellness. Charitable efforts include Chupa Chups serving as the major sponsor for Make-A-Wish Australia's Hallowish 2025 campaign, supporting wishes for children with critical illnesses through event promotions. By 2025, Chupa Chups deepened gaming collaborations to target Gen Z, partnering with Netflix's Arcane series—based on the League of Legends game—for promotional activations aimed at younger demographics. The brand launched experiences in in 2023, including a skating game in partnership with to foster interactive engagement, and entered the via The Sandbox in late 2024, featuring Chupa Chups-themed NFTs and virtual worlds for player exploration. These initiatives built on earlier digital pushes, enhancing the brand's playful image in virtual spaces.

Global presence

International expansion

Chupa Chups initiated its international expansion in the late 1960s, beginning with exports to France where it established its first foreign branch in in 1969. By 1970, it marked a successful early foray into neighboring markets. The brand followed this with entry into the in 1983 via a dedicated , and into the in 1980 through Chupa Chups USA, focusing initially on distribution to build consumer awareness. During the 1980s and , the company deepened its penetration into and while extending into and . In , Chupa Chups entered as early as 1977 and expanded across the region in the , utilizing distribution channels like vending machines in to reach urban consumers. In , the brand established a production facility in to support regional growth. To facilitate these expansions, Chupa Chups built region-specific factories, including sites in for Asian markets, enabling localized manufacturing and faster distribution. By 2025, Chupa Chups products are available in over 150 countries worldwide, reflecting sustained global reach under the ownership of Perfetti Van Melle, which acquired the brand in 2006 and supported further international scaling. Major markets include Spain, the United States, France, Japan, and China, with Perfetti Van Melle reporting that Asia and Oceania account for 39% of its overall net sales, underscoring the brand's strong performance in these regions. Distribution channels have evolved to encompass convenience stores, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms such as Amazon partnerships established in the 2010s, and airport duty-free outlets. The expansion faced challenges, including tariff negotiations during the 1990s as European markets integrated further under policies, which the company addressed through strategic lobbying and compliance adaptations. In the 2020s, Chupa Chups overcame global disruptions, such as those from the , by diversifying suppliers and enhancing logistics resilience to maintain availability across key markets.

Cultural impact and adaptations

Chupa Chups has permeated through strategic collaborations and appearances that highlight its playful, nostalgic appeal. In 2025, the brand partnered with Netflix's to launch a limited-edition line of mystery-flavored lollipops, featuring five undisclosed tastes inspired by the show's characters and themes, complete with QR codes for digital experiences and competitions. This not only boosted sales but also reinforced the product's role as a symbol of youthful adventure and surprise in contemporary media. To resonate with diverse global markets, Chupa Chups has introduced regional adaptations tailored to cultural preferences and dietary needs. In Muslim-majority regions including the , many variants are produced as halal-compliant, avoiding non-permissible ingredients like derived from non-halal sources, ensuring accessibility for observant consumers. These modifications, often certified by local authorities, reflect the brand's commitment to inclusivity in international distribution. The brand has also embedded itself in youth subcultures by evolving with digital and social trends. By the , Chupa Chups integrated emoji-inspired designs into its products, such as s embossed with emoticons like hearts, smiles, and "BFF" symbols, aligning with the rise of digital expression among teens and young adults. This approach positioned the as a accessory in youth interactions, from shares to casual hangouts. Additionally, campaigns have targeted teenagers by framing the as a tool to "liberate the inner kid," countering the pressures of "" and fostering a sense of timeless playfulness within emerging cultural scenes. Chupa Chups has played symbolic and philanthropic roles, particularly in supporting children's well-being. The brand participates in charity initiatives, such as the Lok Sin Tong Charity Campaign, where mini lollipops are bundled with donation coupons to aid underprivileged children, turning everyday treats into vehicles for community support. In healthcare contexts, partnerships like the 2025 Hallowish event with Make-A-Wish provide Chupa Chups treats to critically ill children, offering moments of joy and normalcy during hospital stays or wish-granting activities. These efforts underscore the product's association with comfort and innocence. In 2025, Chupa Chups' cultural footprint expanded through viral social media engagement tied to its collaboration, sparking user-generated challenges and memes that celebrated the mystery flavors and nostalgic vibes, bridging generations from 1990s childhood memories to Gen Z's digital humor. This resurgence highlights the brand's enduring nostalgic pull amid global sales that underscore its widespread cultural integration.

References

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