Atkinson Candy Company began in 1932 in Lufkin, Texas, as a wholesale operation that pivoted to manufacturing during the Great Depression. You’ll discover a more than 90-year family legacy spanning four generations, with their iconic Chick-O-Stick emerging in the early 1950s.
They’ve weathered economic challenges while expanding through acquisitions of brands like Judson Candy Company and Mary Jane. Their commitment to traditional candy-making methods and family values reveals the sweet recipe behind their enduring success.
From Great Depression to Sweet Sensation: The Founding Story
While most businesses struggled to survive during the Great Depression, B.E. Atkinson Sr. and his wife, Mabel, saw opportunity in sweetness. In 1932, they established Atkinson Candy Company in Lufkin, Texas, initially as a wholesale operation for candy and tobacco before pivoting to manufacturing.
You’ve probably enjoyed their creations without knowing their remarkable origin story. Despite economic hardship, the Atkinsons persevered, crafting simple treats like peppermint sticks, pecan divinity, coconut haystacks, and peanut patties. Their determination transformed a modest Depression-era venture into an iconic American confectionery brand.
The family business weathered early challenges to expand its offerings to over 100 varieties. Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Atkinson Candy Company stands as a monument to entrepreneurial spirit born in America’s darkest economic times.
Lufkin’s entrepreneurial legacy extends beyond candy to attractions like the Ellen Trout Zoo, which has grown from 7 to 15 acres since its founding in 1967.
A Family Legacy Spanning Four Generations
The Atkinson legacy extends far beyond the company’s Depression-era origins. For more than 90 years, this remarkable family tradition has shaped Texas confectionery history, with leadership passing through four generations of dedicated candy makers.
Today, Eric Atkinson, great-grandson of founders Basil and Mabel, serves as executive vice president, continuing the vision that began in 1932. You’ll find the same commitment to quality that helped the small candy business survive economic hardship and evolve into a leading brand.
What makes the Atkinson story special is their unwavering dedication to traditional methods. When you visit their candy factory in Lufkin, you’re witnessing living history—recipes and techniques preserved through decades of family stewardship, ensuring authentic Texas sweetness for generations to come.
The Birth of the Iconic Chick-O-Stick
During the early 1950s, a golden confection emerged from Atkinson’s Lufkin factory that would become the company’s signature creation—the Chick-O-Stick. This crunchy candy rod, crafted from peanut butter, pure cane sugar, and toasted coconut, offers the same delightful texture as a Butterfinger but without the chocolate coating.
You’ll find Southerners affectionately calling these treats “chicken bones,” though the name Chick-O-Stick was deliberately chosen to give the candy a more appealing and memorable identity. Despite its widespread distribution in specialty and convenience stores nationwide, the peanut butter treat’s recipe has remained remarkably consistent through the decades.
This dedication to preserving the original formula has guaranteed the Chick-O-Stick maintains its distinctive flavor profile, contributing to its enduring popularity with candy lovers.
The candy’s production evolved alongside advancements in Texas manufacturing, around the same time integrated circuits were revolutionizing the electronics industry through companies like Texas Instruments.
Behind the Scenes: Candy Making at Atkinson
Stepping into Atkinson’s candy factory in Lufkin, Texas, feels like entering a carefully choreographed dance where temperature plays a critical role. The Candy Kitchen maintains a warm 80–85°F environment, essential for properly handling the caramel and peanut butter that will become Chick-O-Sticks.
You’ll witness an edible orchestra in motion as machines wrap and slice candy at an impressive 750 pieces per minute. Despite this modern efficiency, Atkinson still honors the original recipes that made their treats famous.
The Chick-O-Stick itself carries history in its name, derived from the once-popular “chicken bones” candy. This blend of tradition and innovation defines Atkinson’s approach—marrying time-tested techniques with contemporary production methods to create the iconic Texas confections you’ve enjoyed for generations.
Judson Acquisition and Brand Expansion
While maintaining their commitment to traditional candy-making, Atkinson’s business strategy transformed in 1983 when they purchased the historic Judson Candy Company of San Antonio. This well-known manufacturer, founded in 1899, became Judson-Atkinson Candies and consumed an impressive 4 million pounds of sugar annually for their bulk candy production.
Though Judson-Atkinson ceased operations in 2011 due to rising sugar and raw material costs, Atkinson Candy Company continued expanding their sweet portfolio:
- Acquired Black Cow, Slo Poke, and Sophie Mae candies from The Warrell Corporation in 2013
- Secured a licensing agreement with Spangler Candy Company in 2019
- Revived the beloved Mary Jane candy, formerly made by Necco
- Demonstrated their commitment to preserving nostalgic American candy brands
You’re witnessing a Texas company that honors candy history while building its future.
Surviving Sugar Shortages and Market Challenges
Throughout its nine-decade history, Atkinson Candy Company has weathered numerous economic storms that would have shuttered lesser businesses. When World War II brought sugar shortages and price volatility, Atkinson refused to compromise on quality, maintaining its reputation while competitors faltered.
You’ve probably never considered how Texas heat affects candy shipping, but Atkinson had to adjust packaging and processes to overcome these transportation challenges.
In the 2000s, when sugar prices skyrocketed and raw material costs threatened their existence, the company came close to shutting down permanently.
While industry consolidation has seen many family-owned confectioners absorbed by corporate giants, Atkinson’s adaptability and commitment to traditional candy-making methods have preserved its independence for over 90 years, proving that flexibility in the face of market challenges is truly a sweet recipe for success.
The East Texas Factory Experience
The heart of Atkinson’s candy empire beats inside a 100,000-square-foot factory nestled in Lufkin, Texas. When you visit this East Texas landmark, you’ll step into what employees call an “orchestra dedicated to the sweet sounds of sweets.”
The warm factory temperature creates the perfect environment for candy-making magic, where machines wrap and cut confections at an impressive 750 pieces per minute.
- Watch skilled workers transform simple ingredients into beloved treats
- Purchase factory-direct pricing on imperfect or unique candy batches
- Experience the more than 90-year legacy of this family-owned company firsthand
- Visit Monday through Friday at their West Frank Avenue location
This immersive experience lets you witness the inner workings of a true Texas candy industry pioneer while bringing home freshly made treats.
Staying True to Traditional Recipes and Methods
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For over nine decades, Atkinson Candy Company has fiercely guarded the original recipes and traditional candy-making methods passed down from its founders. When you walk through their factory, you’ll notice the deliberately warm temperature—the same environment maintained since the company began, optimizing the candy-making process.
Despite some customers claiming taste changes, their signature Chick-O-Stick and Peanut Butter Bar recipes remain untouched, ready to delight your taste buds just as they did generations ago. The factory even operates machinery from the 1960s and 1970s, wrapping and cutting 750 candies per minute while preserving their handcrafted quality.
This unwavering commitment to tradition has helped Atkinson weather challenges and maintain its status as a beloved Texas confectionery icon.
Beyond Peanut Butter: Exploring Atkinson’s Product Line
While Atkinson’s commitment to tradition preserves their classic recipes, you’d be mistaken to think the company only focuses on peanut butter confections. Their expansive product line stretches far beyond their famous Chick-O-Sticks and Peanut Butter Bars, offering something for every sweet tooth.
Since expanding their offerings, you’ll find:
- Coconut Long Boys and peppermint twists, maintaining a tradition since the company’s early days
- Premium Gemstone Candies that elevate the hard candy experience
- Acquired classics like Black Cow, Slo Poke, and Sophie Mae from their 2013 Warrell Corporation deal
- Specialty options including sugar-free, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan treats
You’ll even find Mary Janes in their lineup thanks to a 2019 licensing agreement with Spangler Candy Company.
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Texas Tradition in Every Bite: Atkinson’s Cultural Impact
Deeply rooted in East Texas soil, Atkinson Candy Company represents more than just sweet treats—it embodies a cultural touchstone that’s woven into the state’s identity. For more than 90 years, this family-owned business has connected generations through its signature Chick-O-Stick and Peanut Butter Bars, becoming an essential thread in Texas’s cultural fabric.
When you visit their retail store in Lufkin, you’re not just buying candy—you’re participating in a ritual that thousands of Texans have shared for decades. The company’s preservation of traditional confectionery methods reflects the values that Texans hold dear: craftsmanship, authenticity, and continuity.
As a fourth-generation business, Atkinson doesn’t just create nostalgic treats; it sustains community employment while serving as a tangible link to East Texas heritage.
