Joyride

Why Choose Joyride Candy?

Most low-sugar candy asks you to compromise. You get better ingredients, but the texture is off. Or the flavour misses the mark. Joyride was created to prove that candy can be both enjoyable and thoughtfully made.

Founded in 2022 by Tyler Merrick and later joined by Ryan Trahan as co-owner and Chief Creative Officer, Joyride has quickly become one of the most recognizable names in the better-for-you candy space. The brand's mission is simple: recreate the candy people love using less sugar and cleaner ingredients without sacrificing flavour, texture, or fun.

Using plant-based ingredients and naturally derived colours, Joyride delivers the nostalgic candy experience many people grew up with while taking a more modern approach to formulation.

What Makes Joyride Different?

Up to 80% Less Sugar

Many Joyride products contain around 4 grams of sugar per serving, offering a significant reduction compared to traditional candy while still delivering the sweet and sour flavours fans expect.

No Artificial Colours, Flavours, or Preservatives

Joyride uses colours derived from fruit and vegetable sources rather than artificial dyes, along with naturally inspired flavours and ingredients.

Plant-Based and Non-GMO

The entire lineup is vegan-friendly and made without genetically modified ingredients, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.

Candy First, Better-for-You Second

One of Joyride's biggest strengths is its ability to replicate the chewy, stretchy, sour textures that candy lovers expect. The focus remains on delivering a satisfying candy experience, with improved ingredients as an added bonus.

Explore the Joyride Collection

Sour Strips

Joyride's Sour Strips are among the brand's most popular products. Available in flavours like Sour Green Apple, Sour Blue Raspberry, and Sour Pink Lemonade, they deliver a chewy texture and tangy sour coating with significantly less sugar than traditional alternatives.

Gummy Ropes

Inspired by classic filled candy ropes, Joyride's Gummy Ropes combine a chewy outer layer with a soft centre. Popular varieties include Sour Strawberry and Cherry Berry.

Sour Watermelon Wedges

These soft gummy wedges feature a sweet watermelon flavour balanced by a tart sour coating, making them a favourite for fans of classic sour candy.

More Low-Sugar Candy Favourites

From twists and rings to new flavour innovations, Joyride continues expanding its lineup while staying true to its commitment to lower sugar, plant-based ingredients, and nostalgic candy experiences.

About the Joyride Brand

Joyride was founded by Tyler Merrick with a vision of creating candy that people could feel better about enjoying. After years spent building brands in the better-for-you confectionery space, Merrick recognized an opportunity to rethink traditional candy recipes using modern ingredients and manufacturing approaches.

The brand gained additional momentum when Ryan Trahan joined as co-owner and Chief Creative Officer, helping shape product development, brand storytelling, and community engagement. Together, they have built a candy company that prioritizes both ingredient quality and consumer enjoyment.

Today, Joyride continues to grow through its focus on lower sugar formulations, playful product innovation, and direct engagement with its customer community.

The Joyride Difference

Reduced Sugar Without Sacrificing Flavour

Joyride focuses on meaningful sugar reduction while maintaining the flavour profiles consumers expect from their favourite candy formats.

Plant-Based Sweetening

Many products are sweetened using ingredients such as allulose and soluble corn fibre, helping reduce sugar while maintaining taste and texture.

Naturally Derived Colours

Rather than relying on artificial dyes, Joyride uses colours sourced from fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

Built Around Consumer Feedback

The brand actively incorporates customer feedback into product development, helping ensure new flavours and formats align with what candy fans actually want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joyride candy?

Joyride is a low-sugar candy brand founded in 2022 by Tyler Merrick and co-owned by Ryan Trahan. The company creates plant-based candy with significantly less sugar than traditional candy while avoiding artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.

How much sugar is in Joyride candy?

Many Joyride products contain approximately 4 grams of sugar per serving and provide up to 80% less sugar than comparable conventional candy products.

Is Joyride candy vegan?

Yes. Joyride products are plant-based and vegan-friendly. Individual product pages provide complete ingredient information.

Does Joyride use artificial dyes?

No. Joyride uses colours derived from fruit and vegetable sources rather than artificial dyes.

What sweeteners does Joyride use?

Many Joyride products use ingredients such as allulose and soluble corn fibre to help reduce sugar while maintaining the flavour and texture consumers expect from candy.

What makes Joyride different from traditional candy?

Joyride combines lower sugar levels, plant-based ingredients, naturally derived colours, and familiar candy textures to create products that deliver a nostalgic candy experience with a more modern ingredient profile.