Jelly Bean king Richard Cullen nets sweet windfall with shareholding sale

Jelly Bean king Richard Cullen has received a €10m windfall after selling his remaining shareholding in the Dublin gourmet sweet firm he set up with his father 18 years ago.

Based in Blanchardstown, Aran Candy was established by father and son Peter and Richard Cullen in 1998 after they identified an opportunity in the European confectionery market for an American-style high-quality jelly bean.

In May 2014, Scandinavian confectionery firm Cloetta acquired 75% of the Cullens’ Aran Candy, owner of the Jelly Bean Factory brand for €15.5m in cash.