Product type Peanut caramel bar Country U.S. Introduced 1932 | Owner The Hershey Company Markets U.S. | |
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Previous owners Hollywood Candy Company
Leaf, Inc. Tagline "Expose yourself to PayDay" Similar Candy bar, Pecan log roll, Chocolate‑covered cherry, Buckeye candy, Take 5 | ||
PayDay is a candy bar consisting of salted peanuts rolled in caramel surrounding a firm nougat-like center. It is currently produced by The Hershey Company.
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History
PayDay was first introduced in 1932 by Frank Martoccio. Martoccio founded the F.A. Martoccio Macaroni Company, and also later served as head of the Hollywood Candy Company. Hollywood also produced the ZERO bar. In 1938, Hollywood moved to Centralia, Illinois. In 1967, the Martoccio family sold Hollywood Brands to Consolidated Foods, which later became Sara Lee. Fire destroyed the Centralia plant in 1980. Production of the PayDay bar continued with help from the L.S. Heath and Sons Company until a new facility could be constructed. In 1988, Hollywood Brands was acquired by the Leaf Candy Company, and then later became part of The Hershey Company in 1996
PayDay variations include a Honey-Roasted limited edition in 2003, the PAYDAY PRO, a high protein energy bar in 2005, and the PayDay Chocolatey Avalanche, a chocolate-covered version, in 2007. For a promotion in 1989, PayDays each contained an individually wrapped nickel.
In popular culture
A PayDay is mentioned in Cheech & Chong's Ralph and Herbie sketch that appears on the Big Bambu album. Herbie notices that Ralph has sat on something which is stuck in his fur and so pulls it off. Ralph then asks what it was and Herbie says "I think it was a PayDay"