Henry Heide was born October 24, 1846 in Obermarsberg, Westphalia, Germany. He immigrated to New York City, New York, in June, 1866, aboard the steamer, City of Paris. He married Mary Jaeger (b. 15 August 1852 ) on January 28, 1873, and had eleven children. In 1869, he founded the Henry Heide Candy Company. Henry Heide died on December 13, 1931, in New York City, New York.

Andrew Heide, one of Henry Heide’s sons, began running the business. In 1943, Henry Heide, Inc. received the first of four Navy "E" awards for outstanding achievement in war production. Heide® Candy became known for Jujubes, Jujyfruits®, jelly beans, and RED HOT DOLLARS®, found in five and dime stores and movie theatres.

Jujubes, known for their hard, break-glass quality texture, began production in 1920. Original flavors included lilac, violet, rose, spearmint, and lemon. Rose and spearmint have been changed to cherry and lime, as a result of flavor availability.

Jujyfruits® also began production in 1920. This chewy, fruity candy gained popularity in movie theatres, along with the Jujubes. Jujyfruits® shapes make the candy unique – Asparagus, Tomato, Grapes Bundle, Banana, Pineapple, Raspberry, and Pea Pod. Fruity flavors include Raspberry, Licorice, Lime (originally Spearmint), Orange, and Lemon.

RED HOT DOLLARS® were developed and marketed in the 1930’s. The name “Red Hot” did not necessarily refer to the flavor of the candy, which has traditionally been raspberry flavored, but the name originated during the depression – when a “dollar” was considered “red hot”. Hershey Foods Corp. changed the name from “RED HOT DOLLARS®” in 1999 to “RED RASPBERRY DOLLARS®”, indicating the raspberry flavor of the candy.  Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. has expanded the Dollar family to include RED HOT DOLLARS® in a hot cinnamon flavor, RED RASPBERRY DOLLARS® in the traditional raspberry flavor, and BLACK LICORICE DOLLARS®.

Philip Heide (Henry Heide’s grandson, Andrew Heide’s son) was born in 1941, in New York City, New York. He graduated from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Economics.

Philip joined the Henry Heide Co. in 1964, eventually becoming executive vice-president after serving as sales manager/bakery and as marketing and merchandising manager. In 1965, a new factory was built in New Brunswick, New Jersey .

Philip sold Henry Heide, Inc., to Hershey Foods Corporation in 1995.  Farley's & Sathers Candy Co., Inc. acquired the Heide® brand products from Hershey Foods in 2002. The HEIDE® brand name is best known for Gummi Bears, Jujubees, JUJYFRUITS®, MEXICAN HATS®, WUNDERBEANS®, and RED HOT DOLLARS®.