San Francisco — Candy Queen, a new mobile candy retail concept founded by husband-and-wife team Michael and Karen Andreacchi, is bringing a scoop-your-own Swedish candy experience to events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
According to the company, Candy Queen operates from climate-controlled trucks designed to provide a retail-like environment. Consumers select a bag, create their own candy mix and pay based on weight, allowing them to choose individual varieties and quantities.
The company says the concept draws inspiration from Swedish candy culture and Karen Andreacchi’s upbringing in Sweden, where candy is often associated with weekends and shared social occasions.
“This really started with how my wife grew up in Sweden,” says Michael Andreacchi. “Candy wasn’t something you grabbed whenever; it was something you looked forward to, especially on the weekends. You’d walk into a candy shop, take your time, and fill a bag with exactly what you wanted.”
Candy Queen says it works directly with a supplier in Växjö, Sweden, to source its candy. The company points to growing interest in Swedish candy, as well as consumer demand for variety and personalization, as factors behind the concept.
Michael Andreacchi previously founded Junk King, which, according to Candy Queen, grew to more than 170 locally owned franchises across North America.
Candy Queen is targeting birthdays, school events, community gatherings, pop-ups and other occasions with the mobile format. Guests move through the trucks in small groups and customize their assortments from the available candy selection.
“We see a major opportunity to introduce people to Swedish candy in a way that feels authentic, accessible and experience-driven,” says Jon Wells, president and partner of Candy Queen. “The ability to customize your own mix, combined with the mobility of the trucks, creates something very different from simply buying a pre-packaged bag of candy off the shelf.”
According to Wells, the format is intended to capitalize on demand for shareable experiences at birthdays, school events and community gatherings.
Looking ahead, Candy Queen says it plans to expand into additional markets and explore franchise opportunities.
