Jolly Ranchers were invented in 1949 by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen, who founded the Jolly Rancher Company in Golden, Colorado. Initially, the company focused on producing chocolates, but they later shifted to hard candies, including Jolly Ranchers, which became its signature product.

The Jolly Rancher brand quickly gained popularity due to its bold, fruity flavors and long-lasting sweetness. In 1966, the company was sold to the Beatrice Foods Company, and the brand eventually became part of The Hershey Company in 1996.

Jolly Ranchers are now widely known for their variety of flavors, such as cherry, grape, watermelon, and apple, and have become a staple in the candy market.