 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1926; 99 years ago (1926) |
| Headquarters | West Chicago,Illinois, U.S. |
| Products | Frozen Novelties, Powdered Drink Mixes, Powdered Dessert Mixes |
| Website | http://www.jelsert.com |
The Jel Sert Company is a privately held company based inWest Chicago,Illinois,United States.[1] Established in 1926, it specializes in makingdrink mixes, dessert mixes (pudding andgelatin), and frozen novelties.
The Jel Sert Company was named after its original product, agelatin dessert mix, by combining the wordsjelly anddessert.[2] In 1929, Jel Sert created a powdereddrink mix calledFlavor Aid. These two products remained Jel Sert's flagship products until the 1960s when the company acquiredPop-Ice and its line of frozenice pop desserts. Later that decade Jel Sert introducedFla-Vor-Ice, anotherfreezer pop, to complement its Flavor Aid drink mix line. Fla-Vor-Ice quickly became the leading freezer pop brand in the United States.[3]
Otter Pops were acquired by the company in 1996. Similar to Jel Sert's other freezer pops, the Otter Pop brand is perhaps the strongest on the United States' West Coast and features flavor-based characters such as Lil' Orphan Orange, Sir Isaac Lime, and Strawberry Short Kook. In 1999, the company signed a promotional deal withGeneral Mills'Honey Nut Cheerios to promote its freezer bars.[4]
In 2000, Jel Sert acquired three other trademarks:Wyler's, a brand of powdered beverage mixes, and theRoyal andMy-T-Fine brands ofpuddings, pie fillings, andflan. In 2001 it bought Nabisco's gelatin, pudding and baking powder businesses,[5] including Royal gelatin - one of the main competitors ofKraft Foods'Jell-O.[6] In 2012, Jel Sert acquired Super C, Pure Kick and Zoic from Solis Brands.[7][8] It has also acquiredAll Sport in 2020.[9] Jel Sert also sells alcoholic freezer pops.[10]
In 2021, Jel Sert partnered withCoca-Cola to launchPowerade freezer pops nationally.[11] In 2024, Jel Sert andMars collaborated to marketMilky Way- andSnickers-flavored pudding and pie mix.[12]
The Jel Sert Company has done charity work with theAmerican Childhood Cancer Organization, theNational Ovarian Cancer Coalition, andOperation Homefront.[13]
