Unwrapping the sweet secrets of this global confectionery giant, dispensing fun at their US factory and visitor centre
PEZ, the iconic candy brand, known for its small rectangular sweets and whimsical collectible dispensers, has a fascinating history that dates back to 1927.
Each year, PEZ produces 5 billion candies and distributes 70 million dispensers to over 80 countries worldwide. Every PEZ lozenge is made from a mixture of confectionery sugar and corn syrup, with natural and artificial colourings and flavourings, compressed under thousands of pounds of force.
Like a Kinder Egg, PEZ combines both toy and candy. Interestingly, it began not as a sweet treat, but as a breath freshener and a tool to help people quit smoking.
Nearly anything or anyone that has achieved popularity or cultural significance has been immortalised as a PEZ dispenser. Legions of PEZ-Heads, the name for the brand’s fanatical collector base, are among the more than 80,000 fans who make a pilgrimage to the PEZ Visitor Center each year.
I have to admit, I've never been into sweets and knew very little about the brand’s history. However, a trip through Connecticut gave us the opportunity to stop and explore what PEZ’s American home is all about.
We discovered a charming, affordable visitor centre, staffed by enthusiastic employees, who welcomed us into their PEZ family. A true hidden gem.
The brand history
The story of PEZ begins in Austria, where Eduard Haas III, an entrepreneur and advocate for healthy living, invented the original PEZ candy.
Eduard Haas III started his career making baking powder of all things, following his grandfather's recipe, which he sold in his father's store. A keen marketeer, Haas placed advertisements for his products in newspapers and included baking tips and recipes on the packaging. Seeking to diversify, he noticed a trend for peppermint candies—boiled sweets made with peppermint oil—which at the time were exclusively made in pharmacies. Haas employed a team of scientists to revolutionise the peppermint-making process. They developed a cold press technique that produced rectangular peppermint candies, which Haas then sold in his shop.
Initially, he marketed the candy to smokers, with the aim to help them reduce their smoking or at least freshen their breath afterwards. The PEZ brand name derives from 'Pfefferminz,' the German word for peppermint.
The peppermint candies were sold in small tins and were a huge hit across Europe, sold with the slogan “Rauchen verboten, PEZ-en erlaubt!” which translates to “Smoking prohibited, PEZing allowed!” To keep up with demand more PEZ candy factories were constructed in Europe.
To provide a more hygienic way to share the peppermints, a pocket-sized mechanical dispenser was invented by Oscar Uxa in 1948. Made from metal, it resembled a cigarette lighter. The brand obtained a U.S. patent for the dispenser in 1952. Each dispenser held 12 tablets, just as it does today.
It wasn’t until 1952 that the candy dispensers made their debut in the United States, originally shipped from Europe and distributed across the country. PEZ then began marketing its candies to children, moving beyond its origins as an adult breath mint. This shift was solidified in 1956 with the introduction of new plastic, three-dimensional PEZ dispensers, shaped like a toy space gun.
In 1957, the now-iconic tilting-head dispensers were launched, featuring designs based on popular TV and film characters such as Popeye and Mickey Mouse. Over the years, PEZ has secured intellectual property deals with an impressive array of globally recognised franchises, including Marvel, Star Wars, Pokémon, Super Mario, and Disney. They also release special editions for holidays, anniversaries, and even for royal or political figures.
As the brand’s popularity soared, it led to the construction of a U.S. manufacturing facility in Orange, Connecticut, in 1973, where PEZ produces its little rectangular candies for Canada and the U.S. PEZ also expanded its candy flavours, moving beyond peppermint, to include fruity and sour varieties, broadening its appeal.
By 1991, PEZ had become a pop culture sensation, inspiring the first collector conventions. Fans flocked to these events to trade, showcase, and celebrate their favourite dispensers. The appeal of collecting PEZ dispensers comes from a combination of nostalgia, design, rarity, and community.
FUN FACT - The most expensive Pez dispenser sold for $13,000. It was a Democratic Party donkey made in 1961. Only three were ever made and one of them was presented to President Kennedy during a visit to Austria. A second was discovered in storage at the PEZ offices in Austria and remains on display there. Do you have the third?
In 2011, PEZ opened the PEZ Visitor Center in Orange, inviting fans to immerse themselves in the colourful world of PEZ history, production, and, of course, its vast array of dispensers.
The company is owned by PEZ International AG, which is a privately held company based in Traun, near Linz, Austria. Outside of the US, PEZ candies are produced in Jánossomorja, Hungary, with the dispensers manufactured in Hungary and China.
The 2023 release of PEZ Outlaw on Netflix, brought more attention to the brand. This compelling, strange but true documentary, about one man's mission to buy and sell the most collectible PEZ dispensers in the world, is well worth a watch if you want to understand the lengths some people will go to for these little bits of plastic.
According to the Guinness World Records, Brian Trauman from New Jersey, currently has the biggest PEZ dispenser collection, with over 5,548 items.
The Visitor Centre design
In 2011, the PEZ Visitor Center opened at the factory in Orange, Connecticut.
Illinois-based architectural, retail, and visual merchandising design firm RGLA Solutions worked with the brand on the 4,000 square feet of exhibition space. The visitor centre houses the most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on public display. The museum features two floors, an interactive journey through the history of the brand, a factory store, and a viewing area overlooking the PEZ production facility. There are displays where visitors can press buttons, open doors, or participate in quizzes, all arranged at various levels to ensure accessibility for visitors of all ages.
Lobby
The entrance lobby is where you buy your ticket, for a very reasonable $5. Each ticket offers $2 off anything in the store, so you're getting a lot for just $3. You even get a PEZ lanyard to keep too.
Along with your ticket, you receive a Close Up Contest game card. It certainly made us look more closely at the displays. I have to admit that I am a sucker for a treasure hunt and this was fun for all ages. Once you answer everything, you hand them back to the docents and you get a prize. I won't spoil the surprise, but it makes the entrance fee basically free.
The guest book showed where that day's visitors were from, a mix of locals and those from other states, plus two sets of guests from Europe, one of which was us.
Even the lobby display has questions built into the text, which definitely adds to the engagement. Museums are increasingly using gamification to create more immersive and engaging experiences for visitors. Gamification turns exhibition space into quizzes, scavenger hunts, virtual reality experiences, and interactive components. The PEZ visitor centre was ticking all those boxes and more in a really simple, yet effective way.
Amongst the 792 colourful PEZ dispensers lining one wall, guests are challenged to find a rare prototype. This was going to be a fun visit.
1st Floor
Enter the doors and you are greeted by the world's largest Pez Dispenser, a 14-foot-tall PEZ boy wearing a blue baseball cap designed by fabricators Blue Genie. Visitors can push a button, which activates his head tipping back, followed by a giant PEZ candy popping out of his mouth.
Next, we headed to the history wall where we definitely learned a lot, and played along with all the interactive elements. For accessibility, it was pleasing to see much of the content at low level.
The display cases are arranged into sections, Cars, Star Wars, Animals, Sports, Christmas and more. The eclectic mix provides guests with something to reminisce about in every display.
There are original advertisements, tins, products from all over the world and a vast array of memorabilia.
In 1955 PEZ launched full body dispensers, and they are amongst the most collectible items for fans. With a 3D body and head, rather than just a head, they came in a Santa and a robot version. An up to date Santa version is available on the brand's Austrian shop for just €6.00, though it doesn't have quite the same charm.
Much of the vintage packaging and promotional items are of European origin.
A few gems were the small catalogues, used by employees to order promotional items.
PEZ even offered cardboard cut out clothes for their dispensers. These fragile items now sell at auction for hundreds of dollars.
Personalisation
Enough of the history, it was time for some more fun in the form of personalisation opportunities. Guests can fill their dispensers with their choice of candy, which is dispensed into buckets. As someone who had never tasted PEZ (I know many of you are rolling your eyes right now), I had no idea what to choose.
There's the obligatory—and effective—selfie station, and what's not to like about that?
And you can even decorate and personalise the dispensers. Hours of fun!
Factory
The museum is also a working factory, and along one wall are glass windows onto the production area.
There are video screens showing close ups of the mixing, pressing, wrapping and packing.
Touch screens allow you to move through a virtual tour of the PEZ factory too, to see parts you don't get to see from the visitor centre.
There were enough display boards to tell us what each machine did.
FUN FACT - Do you know what liquorice, coffee, and chlorophyll all have in common? They were all once PEZ candy flavors!
There are boxes of product everywhere.
The elephant in the room, however, is the lack of references to sustainability. Let’s be frank—the product is full of sugar and plastic. Nowadays, many consumers want to see evidence that brands are addressing environmental concerns. Providing some information on their green efforts would offer balance.
2nd floor
Upstairs is even more educational, with room for talks and school groups.
The focus up here is more on PEZ themed merchandise and advertising videos, rather than just the dispensers and candies. There are numerous display cases packed full of clothing, lunch boxes, games, toys and more.
The PEZ motorcycle was built by Orange County Choppers, who feature on the Discovery Channel television series American Chopper.
There are several displays on the PEZ girls, introduced in the 1950s to advertise the products.
PEZ recruited women, dressed in uniforms, to hand out samples of PEZ at events, at landmarks, in stores, even at movie theatres. The print visuals were so eye catching that they continue to be used on brand merchandise to this day.
Factory Store
The retail space is not huge here, as they concentrate more on displays of historical PEZ items. Nothing was too expensive, and there was a good selection for all budgets. We spent $12, and left with a bag full of goodies.
In conclusion
I’ll be honest - I didn't expect much from the PEZ Visitor Center, especially since I've never actually eaten their candy. However, I completely underestimated the appeal of this small but thoughtfully designed visitor experience.
From the packed history wall and assembly line to all the exhibits on display, there is a clever blend of education, nostalgia, and fun, woven into every aspect of the visit. It keeps everyone thoroughly engaged. I discovered characters and stories that I recognised and connected with, so there are plenty of opportunities for reminiscence here.
The museum is highly accessible, with displays and interactive elements positioned at levels that everyone can reach. If I were to be picky, adding braille, handouts in other languages, or an audio guide would further enhance accessibility for all.
Gamification really boosts engagement here. The space is especially interactive, and refreshingly, all the activities and screens were operational. Every adult was enjoying the scavenger hunt quiz, so I applaud the inclusion of such a cost-effective yet charming idea. It truly made us look more closely at all the exhibits. Prizes and handouts further add to the experience and advocacy. Well done.
Nothing in the shop was overly expensive, and personalisation was simple and affordable.
We must also commend the staff. They were all friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel genuinely welcome.
I might not be a candy convert, but the PEZ Visitor Center delivered a memorable experience that exceeded expectations. I strongly encourage you to visit this often-overlooked gem in Connecticut.
How long was the visit?
We were there for 2 hours, but you could stay as long as you like, as your visit is self-guided.
How much are tickets?
We paid for our tickets and this was not part of any advertising.
Tickets are only available for sale in the lobby upon arrival.
With each paid admission you receive $2 credit which may be used against any purchase in store.
Adults are $5
Over 3s and seniors $4.
Opening times
It's always worth checking with PEZ for their current opening times, as they can vary.
When we visited the visitor centre was open 7 days a week from 10am until 5pm.
It is worth noting that the factory production floor is not operational during weekends or holidays, so head there during the week to get the full experience.
Getting here:
Driving here is best, as public transport can be tricky. We split the nearly 3 hour car journey from NYC to Mystic Connecticut, with a stop at PEZ, which was approximately 2 hours into our trip.
Address
35 Prindle Hill Rd, Orange, CT 06477
Website: PEZ
Where we stayed
We were based in Mystic at the Holiday Inn Express Mystic - Groton Area, an IHG Hotel, which we booked through their website as we are IHG members. It was perfectly located for what we needed, just across a road from Olde Mistick Village and the Jealous Monk Brew Pub, an old favourite.
What else is there to see close by:
I am a massive fan of Connecticut, and have travelled several times from the UK for a break there. There is plenty to do for a weekend, or even longer.
Mystic, our personal favourite, has a real New England vibe with a thriving centre, quality independent shopping and a buzzing food and drink scene. Only an hour's drive from PEZ, there are activities in town for all ages, such as Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village where you can purchase those holiday treats (including a massive Christmas shop) and Mystic Museum of Art.
However, the biggest draw in Mystic is undoubtedly Mystic Seaport Museum, the USA's premier Maritime museum. We have returned several times to this wonderful shipyard and exhibition halls. Guests can meet blacksmiths, coopers, printers, and shipwrights, all hard at work in the beautifully reconstructed 19th century seafaring village, and soak up the sun and some fabulous food on the waterfront. It is also a stunning wedding venue, should you be in the market for such a location.
The port city of New Haven is just 15 minutes from PEZ and home to the internationally famous Yale University. The Yale Peabody Museum is one of the oldest natural history museums in the world and is free to all, so if you're a fossil or dinosaur fan, then do check it out.
Hartford is about 45 minutes by car from PEZ, and home to the extremely pretty and culturally important Mark Twain House & Museum. Author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876), Twain is one of the USA's greatest literary figures and transformed the way the world thought about North America.
But Connecticut really shines in the fall, when the foliage colours of New England turn the area into a tourist hotspot.
Visited: May 2023
Photographs: ©Julie White unless noted otherwise
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed are solely my own. I paid for the tours in full and any comments reflect my personal experiences on that day. Please drink responsibly. Please visit and garner your own thoughts and feel free to research the brand and the visitor centre in question.
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