Roses Brands, headquartered in Canajoharie, New York, USA, is a heritage confectionery and specialty food manufacturer known for its iconic rock candy, gourmet mints, and GravyMaster seasoning products. With a legacy rooted in American candy-making traditions, Roses Brands blends artisanal craftsmanship with modern manufacturing excellence to supply top-quality products to consumers, retailers, and foodservice providers across North America.
Company Overview
Led by Dianna Haugen, Roses Brands has evolved into a diversified food and beverage brand portfolio company, offering a mix of nostalgic confections and culinary essentials. The company operates a vertically integrated production facility capable of handling everything from custom flavoring and packaging to private label contract manufacturing.
Roses Brands is committed to producing high-quality, innovative, and uniquely American food experiences that celebrate both tradition and taste.
Core Business Activities
The company’s operations span several categories:
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Confectionery Manufacturing
- Rock candy sticks and strings in assorted flavors and formats
- Chocolate and sugar-based mints
- Novelty candies and flavored stirrers
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Culinary Enhancers
- GravyMaster: A signature browning and seasoning sauce used in gravies, soups, marinades, and roasted meats
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Private Label Production
- Custom flavor development and branded packaging
- White-label confectionery programs for retailers and hospitality
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eCommerce and Retail Distribution
- Direct-to-consumer online sales
- Wholesale to gift shops, cafes, restaurants, and gourmet stores
Product Portfolio
Roses Brands offers an extensive and differentiated line of specialty confections and culinary products:
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Rock Candy
- Assorted Wrapped Rock Candy Sticks
- Unwrapped Rock Candy Sticks
- Rock Candy Strings in fruit and classic flavors
- Custom-colored and flavored options for events and branding
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Mints
- Gourmet Chocolate Mints
- Soft Sugar Mints (wedding mints, pastel colors)
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Barista & Swizzle Sticks
- Flavored sugar stirrers for coffee and tea (Barista Sticks)
- Decorative cocktail stirrers (Swizzle Sticks)
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GravyMaster
- Liquid seasoning concentrate for browning and flavor enhancement
- Popular in professional kitchens and home pantries since 1935
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Private Label Products
- Seasonal and themed confectionery products
- Custom branded rock candy for event companies and hotels
Specialization and USP
Roses Brands is renowned for:
- Being the oldest producer of traditional rock candy in the United States
- High-volume capacity for custom-flavored sugar crystals
- Expertise in seasonal and event-driven candy production
- Ownership of the GravyMaster brand, a top-tier seasoning enhancer with a cult following
Their facility supports small-batch innovation alongside large-scale production, making them agile in serving both boutique and mass-market clients.
Financial Performance
While privately held, the company maintains solid market penetration:
- Estimated annual revenue exceeds $10 million
- Supplies to over 3,000 retailers and foodservice accounts in North America
- Achieved 15% YoY growth in 2022–2023, driven by DTC and specialty gift segment
- Online sales account for 25% of revenue, primarily through seasonal gifting
Shipment and Export Insights
- National distribution via FedEx, UPS, and wholesale distributors
- Active export relationships in Canada, UK, and Caribbean markets
- Fulfillment centers support just-in-time seasonal orders for Q4 spikes
- High reorder rates from foodservice and event clients
Target Markets
Roses Brands serves a wide range of market segments:
- Retailers (specialty food stores, gift shops, holiday markets)
- Hospitality & Events (weddings, hotels, restaurants)
- Coffeehouses & Cafés (Barista Stick partners)
- Home cooks & chefs (GravyMaster consumers)
- Distributors & resellers looking for nostalgic or novelty confections
The brand resonates with both legacy customers and new audiences seeking artisan food experiences.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
- Production plant with automated sugar crystal growing and molding systems
- In-house packaging, printing, and labeling lines
- Product R&D lab for flavor innovation
- Dedicated private label division
- Shopify-based eCommerce backend and B2B ordering portal
Certifications and Compliance
- FDA registered food manufacturing facility
- Compliant with GMP and HACCP food safety protocols
- Kosher certification for select candy lines
- Compliant labeling with U.S. and Canadian standards
Client Testimonials
“Their rock candy is consistently high quality—crystal clear, vibrant, and a best-seller in our gift baskets.”
— VP Purchasing, Gourmet Basket Co.
“GravyMaster is the secret ingredient in our kitchen. Adds depth and color like no other.”
— Chef John M., Regional Steakhouse Chain
Recognitions and Achievements
- Featured in Food Network’s Holiday Specials
- Winner of 2022 American Confectionery Heritage Award
- Listed as a Top 100 Specialty Food Supplier by Specialty Food Magazine
- Longstanding supplier to Walt Disney Resorts and major hotel chains
Roses Brands continues to charm the American palate with timeless confections and culinary staples while innovating for modern tastes and occasions.
