Elmer Chocolate, the Louisiana candymaker best known for its seasonal boxed chocolates and Gold Brick and Heavenly Hash eggs, has been sold to a family-owned conglomerate based in Florida, ending local ownership of the Pontchatoula manufacturer after nearly two centuries.

Hoffman Family of Companies, which describes itself as a “family equity” firm that operates 120 different companies and brands, including hotels, wineries, airlines and newspapers, declined to disclose what it paid for Elmer, which has estimated annual revenues of around $100 million.

But Hoffman co-CEO Geoff Hoffman said his firm’s investment philosophy is to buy strong local brands and help them expand while keeping existing management and employees in place.

“This is a pure expansion and growth play for us, so no lo

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