Why Jelly Belly Candy Factory Contest Costs $50 To Enter

Jelly Bean fans everywhere were excited to learn they had a chance to take over one of the company’s candy factories if they won a “Willy Wonka” style Golden Ticket contest started by the retiring founder. However, entry into the contest isn’t cheap, but David Klein has a reason for charging those who want to participate nearly $50.

In an interview with ABC 7 news, Klein went into further details about the contest, including the entrance fee of $49.98, which allows participants to purchase a riddle that can lead them to a golden necklace clue, a potential cash prize, and later, entrance into the contest that can win them the candy factory.

“We felt that was a very fair price that we needed to cover the cost of going to 50 states,” he said. “We spend days wondering where’s the best place in that state to hide (the necklace).”

Klein and his partner have hidden clues in all 50 states, previously stating that they left the clues in places they felt had an interesting story.

Klein also revealed that while there is clearly a profit in it for him with the $50 riddles, of which there are 1,000 per state, the $2.5 million raised will actually be invested back into the contest, and overall, the plan for the contest was to create “an atmosphere that this country sorely needs.”

As for the winner of the ultimate contest, they will get to win one of the candy factories in Florida, which is still in development, a candy-making course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Klein as a mentor.

“I will be available 24 hours a day to answer any questions, help them launch new products, help them name products show them how to get their products off the ground,” he said.

The person who wins will also have to account for paying some taxes on the property, and will also have the freedom to hire their own employees.