Jelly Belly founder is giving away a whole candy factory to golden ticket winners

9 September 2020, 15:37

Jelly Belly founder launches golden ticket competition to win candy factory

By Jazmin Duribe

Ever dreamed of being Willy Wonka and owning your own candy factory? Well, now's your chance.

The founder of Jelly Belly, who manufacture jelly beans, is giving a lucky golden ticket winner the chance to win one of his candy factories in a move straight out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

David Klein, who has now left Jelly Belly, announced a treasure hunt across the US in a YouTube video. David has hidden a gold dog tag necklace in every US state. "We're going to have the ultimate treasure hunt where the winner will be receiving a key to one of our candy factories," he said.

He then added: "We're looking for you Charlie, out there." Could that be you?

You can actually win your own candy factory in the Jelly Belly treasure hunt contest. Picture: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images, Warner Bros Pictures

How to sign up for the Jelly Belly treasure hunt contest

Unlike in Charlie and the Chocolate factory, you won't need to eat your weight in chocolate in order to find the golden ticket. To enter the treasure hunt, you'll have to pay $49.98, which will then allow you to access a riddle in your state that'll help you track down the necklace (Sorry, this is only limited to people in the US.)

To play, you'll need a Facebook account. Once you've bought your ticket you'll be entered into a private Facebook group where you'll receive the clue to finding the necklace, which will have a special code on it to verify it's legit. Only 1,000 people will be allowed to sign up for each state's hunt.

The grand prize is a 4,000-square foot factory. It's worth noting that the coveted factory key isn't to a Jelly Belly factory. David sold his stake in the company in 1980, he now owns Candyman Kitchens. The lucky golden ticket finders will also win $5,000 for finding the necklace.

Whilst it may sound too good to be true, David is just hoping to give back to the candy industry before he retires.