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Business & Money • Confectionery

Butterfinger

Butterfinger is an American candy bar known for its crisp peanut-butter centre and chocolate-flavoured coating.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Butterfinger is an American candy bar known for its crisp peanut-butter centre and chocolate-flavoured coating. It was created by the Curtiss Candy Company in 1923 and is currently manufactured by Ferrara Candy Company, a subsidiary of Ferrero. The brand is sold in various markets, including Canada.

History

Butterfinger was created by the Curtiss Candy Company in Chicago and first marketed in 1923. Sources describe Otto Schnering as the inventor. Later ownership passed through major confectionery companies before Ferrero acquired the brand in 2018.

Product characteristics

Butterfinger is recognized for its crunchy peanut-butter interior and chocolate-flavoured outer coating. Wikipedia notes that the coating is not technically chocolate because it contains no cocoa butter.

Brand ownership

The candy bar was once produced by Nestlé and is now made by Ferrara Candy Company, which is part of Ferrero. This makes Butterfinger part of a broader international confectionery portfolio.

Name and marketing

The name Butterfinger is associated with a baseball and sports slang term for poor handling or clumsiness. Historical accounts also describe early promotional efforts and contests tied to the brand's naming.

Key facts

  • Butterfinger was invented by Otto Schnering in 1923.
  • It consists of a crisp peanut-butter core with a chocolate-flavoured coating.
  • The coating is not considered chocolate because it contains no cocoa butter.
  • Ferrero acquired Butterfinger in 2018, and production moved to Ferrara Candy Company.
  • The name is linked to the slang term 'butterfingers'.
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Canadian context

Butterfinger is sold in Canada as an imported or widely distributed confectionery brand, and it is part of the Canadian retail market for North American candy bars.

Frequently asked questions

Who created Butterfinger?
Butterfinger was created by Otto Schnering of the Curtiss Candy Company.
When was Butterfinger introduced?
It was first marketed in 1923.
Who makes Butterfinger now?
Butterfinger is manufactured by Ferrara Candy Company, a subsidiary of Ferrero.
What is Butterfinger made of?
It has a crisp peanut-butter centre with a chocolate-flavoured coating.
Was Butterfinger ever made by Nestlé?
Yes. Butterfinger was formerly manufactured internationally by Nestlé.
Why is it called Butterfinger?
The name is commonly linked to the slang term for someone clumsy or unable to hold onto something.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfinger
    Supports: Current manufacturer, product description, inventorship, ownership history, and coating composition.
  2. Back Then History — https://www.backthenhistory.com/articles/the-history-of-butterfinger
    Supports: 1923 origin, naming contest, and brand sale history.
  3. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2013/01/02/168444031/the-last-word-in-business
    Supports: 1930s-era naming context and 1923 promotional origin.