Edgar Filing: TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES INC

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

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Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.
7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629

March 24, 2008

Dear Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of your Company to be held on Monday, May 5, 2008, at 9:00 A.M., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, in Room 1200, Mutual Building, 909 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia.

At the meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the election of five directors and a proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the 2008 fiscal year.

The formal Notice of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement follow. It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting, regardless of the size of your holdings. Accordingly, please promptly mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope, whether or not you intend to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Sincerely,

Melvin J. Gordon Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer		Ellen R. Gordon President and Chief Operating Officer

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.
7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 5, 2008

To the Shareholders:

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC. will be held in Room 1200, Mutual Building, 909 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, on Monday, May 5, 2008, at 9:00 A.M., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, for the following purposes:

1.: To elect the full board of five directors;
2.: To consider and act upon ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008; and
3.: To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2008 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. The relative voting rights of the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in respect of the Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted upon at such meeting are described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

Your attention is directed to the accompanying Proxy, Proxy Statement and 2007 Annual Report of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Barry P. Bowen, Assistant Secretary

Chicago, Illinois

March 24, 2008

NOTE: Please mark, date and sign the enclosed Proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person. You may revoke your Proxy at any time before it is voted.

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.
7401 South Cicero Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60629

PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders—May 5, 2008

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. (referred to as the "Company," "we" or "us" below) of the accompanying proxy for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on Monday, May 5, 2008, and at any adjournments thereof. The purpose of the meeting is for the shareholders of the Company to: (1) elect five directors to terms of office expiring at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; (2) consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008; and (3) transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.

Proxies in the accompanying form, properly executed and received by the Company prior to the meeting and not revoked, will be voted as directed therein on all matters presented at the meeting. In the absence of a specific direction from the shareholder, proxies will be voted for the election of all named director nominees and for ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. The Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be brought before the meeting; however, if other matters should properly come before the meeting it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote thereon at their discretion. Any shareholder may revoke his or her proxy by giving written notice of revocation to the Assistant Secretary of the Company at any time before it is voted, by executing a later-dated proxy which is voted at the meeting or by attending the meeting and voting his or her shares in person.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 10, 2008 as the record date for the determination of shareholders of the Company entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 5, 2008, and at any adjournments thereof. As of the close of business on March 10, 2008, there were outstanding and entitled to vote 34,925,145 shares of Common Stock and 18,844,186 shares of Class B Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to ten votes, and therefore the Common Stock will be entitled to a total of 34,925,145 votes and the Class B Common Stock will be entitled to a total of 188,441,860 votes. The Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock will vote together as a single class with respect to the election of directors and all other matters submitted to the Company's shareholders at the meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about March 24, 2008.

The entire cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying form will be borne by the Company. Proxies will be solicited by mail, and may be solicited personally by directors, officers or regular employees of the Company who will not receive special compensation for such services. Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, dealers, banks and trustees, or their nominees, for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of shares of the Company's Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

VOTING INFORMATION

A shareholder may, with respect to the election of directors (i) vote for the election of all named director nominees, (ii) withhold authority to vote for all named director nominees or (iii) vote for the election of all named director nominees other than any nominee with respect to whom the shareholder withholds authority to vote by so indicating in the appropriate space on the proxy. A shareholder may, with respect to each other proposal to be considered and voted upon at the meeting (i) vote "FOR" the proposal, (ii) vote "AGAINST" the proposal or (iii) "ABSTAIN" from voting on the proposal. Proxies properly executed and received by the Company prior to the meeting and not revoked will be voted as directed therein on all matters presented at the meeting. In the absence of a specific direction from the shareholder, proxies will be voted for the election of all named director nominees and for ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. If a proxy indicates that all or a portion of the votes represented by such proxy are not being voted with respect to a particular matter, such non-votes will not be counted in connection with the vote on such matter, although such votes may be counted in connection with the vote on other matters and will count for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of directors is required to elect directors. Thus, assuming a quorum is present, the five persons receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected to serve as directors. Withholding authority to vote for a director(s) and non-votes with respect to the election of directors will not affect the outcome of the election of directors. If a quorum is present at the meeting, in order to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, the number of votes cast favoring the action must exceed the number of votes cast opposing the action. Accordingly, non-votes and abstentions with respect to such matter will not affect the determination of whether such matter is approved.

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote for the election of each of the five persons named in the table below as a director of the Company to serve until the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. All of such nominees are now directors of the Company, having been previously elected as directors by the shareholders of the Company or appointed by the Board of Directors. In the event any of the nominees, all of whom have expressed an intention to serve if elected, fail to stand for election, the persons named in the proxy presently intend to vote for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. The information concerning the nominees and their shareholdings has been furnished by them to the Company.

The following table sets forth information with respect to the five nominees for election as directors:

Name, Age and Other Positions, if any, with Company		Period Served As Director and Business Experience During Past 5 Years
Melvin J. Gordon, 88, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer(1)(2)		Director since 1952; Chairman of the Board since 1962; Director and President of HDI Investment Corp., a family investment company.
Ellen R. Gordon, 76, President and Chief Operating Officer(1)(2)		Director since 1969; President since 1978; Director and Vice-President of HDI Investment Corp., a family investment company.
Barre A. Seibert, 66(3)(4)		Director since 2005; retired; First Vice-President of Washington Mutual Bank 2003-2007; Vice-President from 2001 to 2003; Chief Financial Officer of TransAlliance LP from 1995 to 2001.
Lana Jane Lewis-Brent, 61(3)(4)		Director since 1988; President of Paul Brent Designer, Inc. since 1992; former President of Sunshine-Jr. Stores, Inc.
Richard P. Bergeman, 70(3)(4)		Director since December, 2001; retired; former Senior Vice-President of Unilever Bestfoods.

(1): Member of the Executive Committee. When the Board of Directors is not in session, the Executive Committee has the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, other than certain actions which under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia must be approved by the Board of Directors.
(2): Melvin J. Gordon and Ellen R. Gordon are husband and wife.
(3): Member of the Audit Committee.
(4): Member of the Compensation Committee.

Director Independence and Corporate Governance. The Board of Directors has determined that non-management directors are independent under the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listing standards because they have no direct or indirect relationship with the Company other than through their service on the Board of Directors and as shareholders. Shareholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the non-management members of the Board of Directors may do so by writing to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: Audit Committee Chairman, c/o Corporate Secretary. The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on our website at www.tootsie.com and are available in print to any shareholder who requests a copy, provide that the Chair of the Audit Committee shall preside over executive sessions of the

non-management directors. The Company has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all directors and employees, and which meets the SEC's criteria for a "code of ethics." The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on the Company's website and is available in print to any shareholder who requests a copy.

Meeting Attendance. The Board of Directors held five meetings in 2007. The Board of Directors has two standing committees, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. During 2007, all directors attended at least 75 percent of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Committees of which they were members. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon attended the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter approved by the Board of Directors, a copy of which is posted on our website at www.tootsie.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests a copy. The Audit Committee held seven meetings during 2007. The Audit Committee is composed of three directors who qualify as "independent" under the NYSE listing standards. The Board of Directors has determined that no member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as such term is defined by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and the Board does not believe that given the capabilities of the members of the Audit Committee it has been necessary to have or recruit a member who would qualify as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the SEC.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee administers and makes awards under the Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. Management Incentive Plan. This committee is composed of three directors who qualify as "independent" under the NYSE listing standards and "outside directors" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Otherwise, the entire Board of Directors is responsible for determining the compensation structure and amounts for the executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, except that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer recuse themselves from votes regarding their own compensation, or in circumstances where their participation, as an executive officer of the Company, would affect compliance with federal securities law. Since the Company is a "controlled company" under the NYSE listing standards (see "Controlled Company Status" below), this committee does not maintain a written charter and the entire Board of Directors makes compensation decisions with regard to the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officers as described above. Given the Company's status as a controlled company the Board believes that this allocation of responsibilities between the Compensation Committee and the full Board for compensation decisions is appropriate. The Compensation Committee held one meeting during 2007. This committee has not delegated any of its duties to others.

The Company has engaged Compensation Strategies, Inc., an independent executive compensation consulting firm, to provide advice and assistance to both management and the Board regarding the Company's executive compensation practices. Compensation Strategies, Inc. is referred to below as the "consultant." The consultant conducts periodic reviews of total compensation of the Company's executive officers, based on the process described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section below, for review by management and the Board of Directors in determining the appropriate levels of compensation for each executive officer. The consultant also provides advice with respect to other executive compensation issues that might arise throughout the year. The consultant does not attend meetings of the Board of Directors or of the Compensation Committee but is available to answer questions. The consultant does not receive any fees from the Company other than for executive compensation consulting services.

Director Nominations. As a controlled company under NYSE listing standards, the Company is permitted to have the entire Board of Directors discuss and determine the nominees for election to the Board and oversee the Company's corporate governance. The Board does not believe that given the current size and composition of the Board that it needs to have a separately-designated nominating committee to perform this function. The Board will consider director candidates recommended by shareholders, but the Board does not otherwise have a policy with regard to the consideration of director

candidates recommended by shareholders, nor has it established any specific minimum qualifications that it believes must be met by a nominee for director, whether recommended by it or by a shareholder, or any specific qualities or skills that it believes are necessary for one or more of its directors to possess, as it believes that it can adequately consider the suitability and qualifications of any such candidates on a case by case basis. The Board does not currently have a policy for identifying or evaluating nominees for director, including nominees recommended by shareholders. If a candidate for nomination is recommended by a shareholder the Board would evaluate that candidate in the same manner as all other candidates to be nominees for director. Any shareholder wishing to submit such a recommendation should do so in writing addressed to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: Ellen R. Gordon, President. See "Shareholder Proposals for 2009 Annual Meeting" below in this proxy statement for information regarding procedures that must be followed by shareholders in order to nominate directors at the 2009 annual meeting.

Controlled Company Status. The Company is a "controlled company" under the NYSE listing standards since the Gordon family collectively holds more 50% of the total voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

As described more fully below, this chart summarizes the annual cash compensation for our non-management directors during 2007.

Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)		Total ($)
Barre A. Seibert	$	60,500	$	60,500
Lana Jane Lewis-Brent		60,500		60,500
Richard P. Bergeman		66,000		66,000

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon do not receive fees for their service on the Board of Directors or its committees. Non-management directors received the following compensation for 2007:

•: an annual retainer of $46,000
•: $1,250 per Board meeting attended
•: an annual retainer of $12,500 for the Chair and $7,000 to other members for serving on the Audit Committee
•: $1,250 for attending each meeting of the Compensation Committee

During 2007, all of the directors attended at least 75 percent of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Committees of which they were members. No perquisites or other personal benefits were provided to the non-management directors in 2007 other than occasional samples of the Company's products.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all named director nominees.

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK
BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

The following table sets forth, as of March 10, 2008 (except as noted below), information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of such Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. The information has been furnished by these persons or derived from filings with the SEC.

		Number of Shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock Owned Beneficially and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
					Percentage of Outstanding Shares of Class
Name					Percentage of Outstanding Shares of Class
Name		Direct	Indirect
Melvin J. Gordon	Common Class B	1,320,590 1,320,590	— —		3.8 7.0	% %
Ellen R. Gordon	Common Class B	8,139,922 8,847,618	101,837 40,113	(2) (2)	23.6 47.2	% %
Melvin J. Gordon and Ellen R. Gordon, jointly as fiduciaries	Common Class B	— —	5,544,038 5,129,849	(3) (3)	15.9 27.2	% %
Leigh R. Weiner	Common Class B	1,282,885 2,238,609	234,620 382,819	(4) (4)	4.3 13.9	% %
Wells Fargo & Company and Affiliates	Common		3,320,283	(5)	9.5	%

The address of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon is c/o Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629. The address of Mr. Weiner is c/o Becker Ross, LLP, 317 Madison Ave., New York, New York 10017-5372. The address of Wells Fargo & Company is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94163.

(1): Except as set forth in note 5 below, the persons named in the above table have sole investment and voting power over the shares indicated therein as being owned directly and share investment and voting power over the shares indicated therein as being owned indirectly. Shares of Class B Common Stock are at all times convertible into shares of Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. Shares and percent of class indicated for Common Stock do not reflect the shares of Common Stock that could be acquired upon the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock.
(2): Includes 38,501 shares of Common Stock and 40,113 shares of Class B Common Stock held as co-trustee of one of the Company's tax qualified retirement plans, and 63,336 shares of Common Stock held as co-trustee of a trust which holds such shares of Common Stock with regard to one of the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
(3): Includes 4,748,568 shares each of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock held by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon as fiduciaries for their children and 795,470 shares of Common Stock and 381,281 shares of Class B Common Stock owned by a charitable foundation of which members of the Gordon family are directors.
(4): Includes 75,435 shares of Common Stock and 47,544 shares of Class B Common Stock held by Mr. Weiner's wife (as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership), 158,442 shares of Common Stock and 144,716 shares of Class B Common Stock held by Mr. Weiner or by his wife as custodian for their children and 743 shares of Common Stock and 190,559 shares of Class B Common Stock held by a charitable foundation of which Mr. Weiner and members of his family are directors.
(5): As of December 31, 2007, based solely on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2008, in which Wells Fargo & Company ("Wells Fargo") reported that it held sole voting power with respect to 2,550,265 such shares, shared voting power with respect to 1,411 such shares, sole investment power with respect to 3,266,550 such shares, and shared investment

power with respect to 679 such shares; Wells Capital Management Incorporated, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, reported that it held sole voting power with respect to 3,259,500 such shares; and Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, reported that it held sole voting power with respect to 2,497,851 such shares and sole investment power with respect to 6,551 such shares.

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK BY MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of March 10, 2008, the beneficial ownership of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by each nominee for director, by each executive officer who is named in the summary compensation table included in this proxy statement, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.

		Number of Shares of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock Owned Beneficially and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
						Percentage of Outstanding Shares of Class
Name						Percentage of Outstanding Shares of Class
Name		Direct		Indirect
Melvin J. Gordon	Common Class B		(2) (2)		(2) (2)		(2) (2)
Ellen R. Gordon	Common Class B		(2) (2)		(2) (2)		(2) (2)
Barre A. Seibert	Common Class B	2,689 —		1,060 —			(5) (5)
Richard P. Bergeman	Common Class B	1,225 —		— —			(5) (5)
Lana Jane Lewis-Brent	Common Class B	5,217 —		17,518 —	(3)		(5) (5)
John W. Newlin, Jr.	Common Class B	12,219 13,666		1,505 1,505	(4) (4)		(5) (5)
Thomas E. Corr	Common Class B	— —		— —			(5) (5)
G. Howard Ember, Jr.	Common Class B	1,446 —		14,894 —			(5) (5)
All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)	Common Class B	9,483,308 10,181,874		5,680,852 5,171,467		43.4 81.5	% %

(1): The persons named in the above table have sole investment and voting power over the shares indicated therein as being owned directly and share investment and voting power over the shares indicated therein as being owned indirectly. Shares of Class B Common Stock are at all times convertible into shares of Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. Shares and percent of class indicated for Common Stock do not reflect the shares of Common Stock that could be acquired upon the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock.
(2): See the table under the caption "Ownership of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners" above for shareholdings of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon.
(3): Includes 2,931 shares held for the benefit of a minor child, 12,249 shares held jointly with Ms. Lewis-Brent's spouse and 886 shares (as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership) held by her spouse.
(4): Mr. Newlin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares held in trust for the benefit of his wife.
(5): Less than 1% of the outstanding shares.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of our Common Stock or Class B Common Stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and NYSE. Such persons are also required to furnish the Company with copies of all such reports.

Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports, and written representations from certain reporting persons, we are pleased to note that our directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent shareholders filed all required reports during or with respect to fiscal year 2007 on a timely basis.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of the compensation program for the Company's executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table below, who we refer to in this discussion as the "named executive officers."

Corporate Principles

We believe that the differences among companies are attributable to the caliber of their people, and therefore we strive to attract and retain superior executives. We maintain a conservative financial posture in deploying and managing our assets and do not jeopardize long-term growth for immediate, short-term results.

Objectives of Compensation Program

The objectives of our compensation program for named executive officers consistent with these corporate principles are to:

•: encourage and reward individual effort and teamwork in order to improve the Company's financial performance, and
•: attain the Company's principal long-term objective of profitably building the Company's well-known brands.

All compensation and benefits for named executive officers described below have as a primary purpose meeting the need to attract, retain and motivate the types of individuals who will be able to execute our business strategy while upholding our values in an ever changing competitive environment. The Company's compensation program includes salary, annual cash incentives, annual awards under the Company's Career Achievement Plan, which we refer to as the "CAP" below, split-dollar life insurance coverage and retirement benefits.

None of our employees receive stock options, restricted stock or other forms of equity compensation. The Board does not grant equity compensation to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer because of their significant equity stake in the Company. Other named executive officers also do not receive equity compensation, as the Board has decided to motivate executive behavior based on financial and management objectives consistent with our corporate principles.

Process for Setting Executive Compensation

As discussed above, the Board of Directors is responsible for determining the compensation structure and amounts for the named executive officers, except that the Compensation Committee (which we refer to in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis as the "committee"), is responsible for administering and determining the annual cash incentives for the named executive officers. The named executive officers' compensation program is balanced between short-term and long-term compensation and incentives. The Board of Directors believes that too much emphasis on incentive compensation can lead to behaviors that are not necessarily in the long-term best interests of shareholders. Therefore, the compensation program

has been intentionally balanced to avoid a mix of pay elements that places too much weight on the role of incentive pay. As a result, the Company's compensation program carries a heavier weighting on base salary than is typical in the competitive marketplace. However, when comparing the Company's executive compensation program as a whole to that of its direct competitors for executive talent, the primary focus is on total compensation. In addition, the Board of Directors considers the degree to which the named executive officers have performed during the fiscal year when exercising discretion to adjust annual compensation. The Board of Directors believes that this program will lead to increased shareholder value on a long-term basis.

Competitiveness Assessment

The Board periodically reviews total compensation levels for similarly situated executives of a group of industry peers. With the assistance of an independent compensation consultant, statistical analysis is used to adjust all market compensation data to reflect the current annual revenues and market capitalization of the Company given the variation in size of the companies from which compensation data is collected. Each element of compensation as well as total compensation is quantified and reviewed to determine the Company's competitiveness compared to the market. However, the Company does not target any specific level of compensation with respect to the market such as the 50% percentile of peer companies. In determining appropriate individual compensation levels for the named executive officers, the Board considers this competitive market compensation data, as well as the individual's experience, internal equity among the executive officers, as well as individual and Company performance. Compensation levels for all named executive officers, except the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, are approved by the Board based on the recommendation of, and performance evaluation by, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. In the case of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer, the independent members of the Board review and approve their compensation levels after conducting an evaluation of their prior-year performance.

Peer Group

The group of peer companies used in the review of total compensation levels consists of publicly traded companies in the snack and confectionary industries with annual revenues ranging from $569 million to $37.2 billion and market capitalizations ranging from $585 million to $50.5 billion. The Board reviews the make-up of the group on an on-going basis. Each company included in the group is shown below:

Peer Group	Annual Revenues (in millions)		Market Capitalization, as of 12/31/2007 (in millions)
Campbell Soup Company	$	7,867	$	13,506
Dean Foods Company	$	11,822	$	3,384
General Mills Inc	$	12,442	$	19,152
Hershey Company	$	4,947	$	8,945
J & J Snack Foods Corp	$	569	$	585
Kraft Foods Inc	$	37,241	$	50,486
Lancaster Colony Corp	$	1,091	$	1,198
Lance Inc	$	763	$	637
McCormick & Company Inc	$	2,916	$	4,845
Ralcorp Holdings Inc	$	2,233	$	1,566
The J. M. Smucker Company	$	2,148	$	2,959
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company	$	5,389	$	16,119

In 2007, Topps Company was removed from the peer group used for evaluating the Company's executive compensation programs because it was acquired. Note that the Board did not undertake an extensive competitive review in 2007.

Elements of Compensation

Base Salary

The Board annually reviews each named executive officer's base salary. In determining a named executive officer's base salary level, the Board considers the following factors:

•: Individual performance and contribution to the Company, including length of service in the position;
•: Comparative compensation levels of other companies, including the periodic compensation studies performed by an independent compensation consultant;
•: Overall competitive environment for executives and the level of compensation considered necessary to attract and retain executive talent;
•: Historical compensation and performance levels for the Company; and
•: A desire to adhere to Section 162(m) Internal Revenue Code regulations on deductible compensation, thus maximizing the Company's ability to receive federal income tax deductions.

Any changes to base salary levels typically become effective as of January 1st. Effective January 1, 2007, base salary increases ranging from 2.4% to 4.2% were approved by the Board for the named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. These adjustments reflect the Board's assessment of the factors outlined above. Effective January 1, 2008, base salary increases of 4.0% were approved by the Board for the named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and the Vice President/Manufacturing. As with the prior year, the adjustments reflect the Board's assessment of the factors described above. No increases were approved for the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Operating Officer in either 2007 or 2008 or for the Vice President/Manufacturing in 2008 due to the non-deductibility of salary in excess of $1 million under federal tax laws.

Annual Incentives

All of the named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Management Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the "MIP" below and which was approved by shareholders at the Company's 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The MIP is designed to recognize and reward the named executive officers for their contribution to the Company's overall financial performance as well as the attainment of individual and Company goals, while maintaining the tax deductibility of the annual incentive bonuses. Under the terms of the MIP, if the Company has net earnings (as defined in the MIP) of greater than $35 million during the applicable performance period, each named executive officer is deemed to have earned an award equal to the MIP's maximum award of $3.5 million. However, the committee will use its discretion to reduce this amount, even to zero, for each named executive officer based on the following factors:

•: Net earnings and earnings per share;
•: Increase in sales of core brands and total sales;
•: Net earnings as a percentage of sales;
•: Performance in accomplishing cost savings and operational improvements;
•: Performance in accomplishing and integrating successful acquisitions, and
•: Other strategic objectives that may be determined from time to time.

For fiscal years 2007 and 2006, the committee used its discretion to reduce the maximum payments to the levels indicated in the Summary Compensation Table. The Company's 2007 net earnings were $51,625,000 and earnings per share were $0.94. Net product sales were $492,742,000. Net earnings as a percent of sales were 10.5%. Of the forgoing, net earnings and earnings per share, as compared to the

prior year, are the predominant factors considered by the committee in determining bonus awards for each named executive officer.

Career Achievement Plan

In 2007, all named executive officers were eligible to receive annual CAP awards. The CAP is designed to provide executive officers an incentive to achieve both short-term and long-term financial and other strategic goals of the Company and is also intended to provide an incentive for the named executive officers to remain with the Company on a long-term basis. The Board makes awards in its discretion to executive officers in a fixed dollar amount. Awarded amounts are credited to an unfunded bookkeeping account established on behalf of each executive officer. Participants vest in each annual award under the CAP ratably in annual 20% installments over five years, provided that they are continuously employed by the Company. All distributions (other than distributions made by reason of the participant's death), are subject to the participant entering into a non-competition and non-solicitation agreement. A fuller description of the CAP follows the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation As of and For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007 table below in this proxy statement.

The Board determines the CAP awards to the named executive officers based on its assessment of the Company's performance and each named executive officer's contribution to the Company's long-term growth and the success. In making this determination for the awards made with respect to 2007, the Board generally relied on the same factors outlined above with respect to the MIP with some adjustment for prior periods to take into account the long-term growth and success of the Company and the named executive officer's contribution thereto. The CAP has not been approved by shareholders and therefore payments under the CAP are not exempt from the $1 million deduction limitation under federal tax laws. However, the Company preserves deductibility of CAP benefits by deferring payment to a period later than the executive's employment termination. For fiscal year 2007, the amounts of the CAP awards ranged from $125,000 to $174,000 for Messrs. Ember, Newlin and Corr.

In December 2006, the Board of Directors voted to restore the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer to full participation in the Excess Benefit Plan, which we refer to below as the EBP, from 60% to 100%, and to resume their participation in the CAP, both effective as of January 1, 2007. As further detailed in the following section, prior to January 1, 2007, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer received split dollar life insurance benefits in lieu of receiving certain benefits to which these executives were entitled or would likely have otherwise received. Following consultation with the Company's consultant, the Board determined that it was appropriate for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer to resume full participation in the EBP and the CAP as no further premium payments are being made under the split dollar agreements. The Board determined not to make an award under the CAP for the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer for fiscal year 2007.

Split-Dollar Life Insurance Agreements

In 1982, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of split-dollar life insurance agreements with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. The primary purpose of this insurance was to assist the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer in their desire to provide liquid assets to their heirs to pay estate taxes, thereby minimizing the necessity for their estates to sell large blocks of shares of the Company to pay estate taxes which sale might disrupt the market for the Company's shares. This provides the Company with stability and acts as an incentive to these executives to continue their employment with the Company. In 1993, the Company adopted new split-dollar agreements in exchange for a waiver by these executives of (i) past and certain future compensation that these executives previously earned or would be entitled to earn under the Career Achievement Plan, (ii) 40% of their past and certain future accumulations under the EBP, and (iii) certain other deferred compensation these executives had previously earned. Under the terms of these agreements, as amended through 1998, the Company is entitled to fully recover all of its premium payments upon the death of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer (or, with respect to some of these policies, the Chief Operating

Officer) or, if sooner, the voluntary termination of employment by these executives and certain other events. The Company also entered into split dollar life insurance agreements with its other named executive officers which provide a net death benefit of approximately $1,000,000 for each. The purpose of these agreements was to provide an additional vehicle to retain senior management. The full dollar amount of the life insurance premium payments made in 2006 and 2007 as required under these agreements on behalf of all named executive officers is reported in the "All Other Compensation" column in the Summary Compensation Table without any discount to reflect the Company's right to fully recover these amounts. The Company's remaining annual obligation to make premium payments under all split dollar life insurance agreements for all named executive officers is less than $10,000.

Other Benefits and Arrangements

The named executive officers are provided with the same benefits, such as group insurance coverage and participation in the Company's tax-qualified retirement plans, as other salaried employees. The named executive officers, as well as other Company employees, also participate in the Company's EBP, which restores retirement benefits lost due to federal tax law limitations on contributions to tax qualified plans. The material terms of the EBP are summarized under the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table below in this proxy statement.

Perquisites

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer use Company aircraft to visit our manufacturing plants, attend trade association meetings, visit potential acquisition candidates, participate in advertising, media and public relations activities, interview potential executive candidates, attend board meetings of the Company and other entities and travel between corporate headquarters and other locations where they also maintain executive offices and personal housing The Board believes that the ability of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer to safely and efficiently conduct Company business while traveling and while at different locations provides substantial benefits to the Company that justify the cost of such aircraft usage. The use of Company aircraft, and the housing and automobile benefits described below, enables the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer to visit Company facilities more frequently and to effectively devote additional time to operational and strategic aspects of the Company's business, including in the past the development of new product innovations and cost reduction programs that have significantly contributed to the Company's results, while traveling and while situated at locations other than corporate headquarters. In 2007, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer also used Company aircraft for a minimal amount of personal travel with an aggregate incremental cost for each to the Company of $14,923 which usage has also been approved by the Board of Directors for security and other reasons. All named executive officers except the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer have the use of a Company provided automobile. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer are provided with the use of a Company apartment and, for efficiency and security reasons, are provided with a car and driver when they are in Chicago.

Change in Control Agreements

In 1997, the Company entered into change in control agreements with the named executive officers, excluding the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. The purpose of these agreements is to avoid the distraction and loss of key management personnel that may occur in connection with rumored or actual fundamental corporate changes. A change in control program protects shareholder interests by enhancing employee focus during rumored or actual change in control activity. The Board of Directors adopted these agreements under the belief that such arrangements are frequently part of executive compensation practices at major public corporations. These agreements were not extended to the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer due to their significant equity stake in the Company. A

detailed summary of these agreements is set forth in section entitled "Potential Payments on Termination of Change in Control" below in this proxy statement.

We have no employment agreements with the named executive officers.

Report of the Board of Directors on Executive Compensation

To Our Fellow Stockholders at Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.:

We, the entire Board of Directors of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with management and, based on such review and discussion, have recommended inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement.

		The entire Board of Directors:
		Melvin J. Gordon Ellen R. Gordon Barre A. Seibert Lana Jane Lewis-Brent Richard P. Bergeman

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the information required by SEC Regulation S-K Item 402 as to the compensation paid or accrued for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 for services rendered in all capacities, by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our Vice President/Finance (the principal financial officer) and our three other most highly compensated executive officers (the "named executive officers").

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006


Name and Principal Position	Year	Salary		Bonus (1)		Stock or Option Awards	Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation	Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings	All Other Compensation (2)		Total ($)

Melvin J. Gordon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	2007 2006	$	999,000 999,000	$	1,512,000 1,890,000	—	—	—	$	1,808,973 2,388,579	$	4,319,973 5,277,579

Ellen R. Gordon, President and Chief Operating Officer	2007 2006		999,000 999,000		1,398,000 1,748,000	—	—	—		1,793,241 2,376,821		4,190,241 5,123,821

G. Howard Ember, Jr., Vice President/ Finance	2007 2006		722,000 693,000		225,000 265,000	—	—	—		263,311 280,086		1,210,311 1,238,086

John W. Newlin, Jr., Vice President/ Manufacturing	2007 2006		999,000 976,000		316,000 355,000	—	—	—		364,679 394,743		1,679,679 1,725,743

Thomas E. Corr, Vice President/ Marketing and Sales	2007 2006		952,000 915,000		318,000 374,000	—	—	—		352,894 374,688		1,622,894 1,663,688

(1)

Reflects amounts earned under the Management Incentive Plan (MIP). The MIP is discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

(2)

The All Other Compensation column reflects the following benefits for 2007:

•: For each of Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Gordon $850,157 and for each of Messrs. Ember, Newlin and Corr between approximately $1,000 and $5,000, reflecting premiums paid by the Company under the split-dollar life insurance agreements in 2007. The Company is entitled to fully recover these and all prior premium payments upon the death of the insured(s) or otherwise under the terms of the agreements. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreements" for a more detailed discussion of the split-dollar life insurance agreements.
•: The shared use of Company aircraft by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon to travel between corporate headquarters and other locations where they also maintain both executive offices and personal housing in the amount of $504,619 for each of Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Gordon. See "Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Perquisites" above for a discussion of the reasons why the Company provides these benefits. Although the Board of Directors has approved these expenditures as reasonable business expenses because of the actual and potential benefits to the Company, such expenditures are considered compensatory perquisites to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon under an SEC interpretation. These amounts reflect the aggregate incremental cost to the Company of travel between these locations by the Gordons, based on the proportion of hours flown for this travel relative to all hours flown. This calculation of aggregate incremental cost includes the proportionate amount of all operating costs and fixed charges (other than depreciation) such as monthly management fees, pilot charges, fuel, maintenance, insurance and other fees. In 2007 the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer also used Company aircraft for a minimal amount of personal travel, the aggregate incremental cost of which was $14,923 for each of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, which usage has also been approved by the Board of Directors for security and other reasons.

•: The shared use of a Company owned apartment by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon when they are working at the Company's headquarters in the amount of $67,020 for each of Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Gordon. The amounts included in the table with regard to this item includes one year of depreciation expense plus the out of pocket costs related to the apartment including real estate taxes, maintenance expenses, utilities and association fees. The Company believes that the cost of owning the apartment over time has been substantially offset by appreciation in the real estate.
•: The following amounts contributed by the Company for the benefit of the named executive officers under the Company's pension plan, profit-sharing plan and EBP: $25,493 for each of the named executive officers with respect to the pension and profit sharing plan; $315,468, $299,736, $99,794, $151,059 and $144,618 for Mr. Gordon, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Ember, Mr. Newlin and Mr. Corr, respectively, with respect to the EBP; and $125,000, $173,500, $167,500 for Mr. Ember, Mr. Newlin and Mr. Corr, respectively, with respect to the CAP.
•: Amounts with respect to the costs of use of automobiles provided to each of the named executive officers other than Mr. and Mrs. Gordon and, for them, amounts with respect to their shared use of an automobile and driver based on all direct costs of maintaining and operating the automobile and the proportionate cost of the portion of an employee's time used for driving.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation As of and for the Fiscal Year End December 31, 2007


Name	Executive Contributions in last FY	Company Contributions in last FY (1)		Aggregate Earnings in last FY		Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions (2)		Aggregate Balance Related to Executive Contributions at Last FYE (3)	Aggregate Balance Related to Company Contributions at Last FYE (4)		Aggregate Balance at Last FYE

Melvin J. Gordon	—	$	315,468	$	212,336		—	—	$	3,941,065	$	3,941,065

Ellen R. Gordon	—		299,736		195,346		—	—		3,632,253		3,632,253

G. Howard Ember, Jr.	—		224,794		383,364		—	2,161,029		4,004,722		6,165,751

John W. Newlin, Jr.	—		324,559		445,638	$	668,974	1,011,969		6,017,659		7,029,628

Thomas E. Corr	—		312,118		231,112		—	—		5,515,523		5,515,523

(1): Included as a component of "All Other Compensation" in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2): Represents the payout of salary previously deferred under the Supplemental Savings Plan as elected by Mr. Newlin.
(3): Includes salary and/or bonus deferred on behalf of Mr. Ember and Mr. Newlin and the earnings on such amounts under the Supplemental Savings Plan.
(4): Includes cumulative Company contributions and earnings under the EBP and the CAP for the named executive officers over their entire working career, which ranges from between 24 and 45 years. As of December 31, 2007, no benefit under the EBP and the CAP has ever been paid to any of the named executive officers.

Summary of Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

Excess Benefit Plan

In general, the EBP provides for Company contributions that are unavailable under tax qualified retirement plans due to federal tax law limitations. Participation in the EBP is automatic for all employees for whom contributions to the qualified plans are so limited. From 1993 through 2006, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer have accrued only 60% of the benefits they would have otherwise been entitled to under the EBP. EBP account balances are increased or decreased over time based on the returns of a diversified set of publicly traded mutual funds as selected by the participants. All of the named executive officers have earned fully vested benefits under the EBP. Distribution of amounts under the EBP is at the discretion of the administrator of the Company's Profit Sharing Plan, but must occur within 60 days after the year in which the participant terminates employment or the year in which the participant turns 65, whichever is later.

Supplemental Savings Plan

The named executive officers and certain other management employees are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Savings Plan, which is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Each year, participants can elect to defer up to 16% of their compensation under the Supplemental Savings Plan. The deferral is effective as of the time that the participant is precluded from making deferrals under the tax-qualified Profit Sharing Plan because of certain limits imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Participant balances in the Supplemental Savings Plan are increased or decreased over time based on the returns of a diversified set of publicly traded mutual funds as selected by participants. All benefits under the Supplemental Savings Plan are fully vested. Distributions from a participant's calendar year accounts are made on the earlier of the date selected by the participant when making a deferral election or the 60th day after the participant terminates employment. If the Company's debt rating falls below investment grade, participants can withdraw all or part of their calendar year accounts. Withdrawals are also permitted because of financial hardship.

Career Achievement Plan

In 2007 and 2006, all named executive officers and certain other executives (other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer in 2006) participated in the CAP, which is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The CAP allows the Board to annually grant deferred cash awards to participants based on performance as determined by the Board. Amounts deferred under the CAP are increased or decreased over time based on the returns of a diversified set of publicly traded mutual funds, the Moody's bond index or up to 7,000 shares of Company common stock, as selected by the participants. Each annual CAP award is subject to a separate five year vesting schedule with annual vesting at a rate of twenty percent. CAP benefits are payable only upon an eligible termination of employment or in connection with a change in control of the Company. Upon an employment termination due to death, disability, or retirement on or after age 65, the entire amount accumulated on the participant's behalf will be distributed within 60 days after employment termination. For all other employment terminations (except for a termination of employment for cause), the participant will forfeit any unvested amounts and commence payment equal to the vested CAP benefit on the later of the first anniversary of the date of employment termination or the 60th day after the participant's 65th birthday. In general, payments will be made in a single lump sum or in 10 annual installments as elected by the participant. A participant whose employment is terminated for cause will forfeit all CAP benefits. A participant who is employed by the Company at the time of a change in control will receive an immediate lump sum payment of all accumulated CAP benefits. All distributions (other than distributions made by reason of the participant's death), will be subject to the participant entering into a non-competition and non-solicitation agreement that will be effective beginning on the date of the event triggering the right to payment and ending one year after employment termination. Participants will forfeit amounts accrued after January 2, 1999 if they violate the non-competition and non-solicitation agreement.

Section 409A

The EBP, Supplemental Savings Plan and the CAP are in the process of being amended to reflect the payment restrictions under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company intends to comply with Section 409A by amending these plans with respect to amounts that are earned or become vested after December 31, 2004.

Potential Payments on Termination or Change in Control

The section below describes the payments that may be made to named executive officers upon employment termination or in connection with a change in control. For payments made to a participant upon employment termination under our nonqualified deferred compensation plans, see Nonqualified Deferred Compensation As of and For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007.

Change in Control

The Company has entered into change in control agreements with certain officers including named executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. These agreements generally provide severance benefits in the event the named executive officer's employment is terminated by us without cause or by the named executive officer for good reason within two years after a change in control. These benefits include a single lump sum payment equal to:

•: A pro-rata bonus for the year of employment termination (based on the higher of the earned bonus for the last fiscal year or the average bonus earned during the three fiscal years before the change in control)
•: three times the officer's annual base salary, and

•: three times the higher of the officer's earned bonus for the last fiscal year or, if higher, the officer's average bonus over the prior three fiscal years.

The officer is also eligible for three years of continued coverage under our health, life and disability benefit plans at the Company's cost. The officer would also become vested in, and be paid, any unvested accrued benefits under the Company's pension, profit sharing and excess benefit plans and the maximum award under the CAP Plan.

The officer is also entitled to a tax gross-up payment to reimburse any federal excise taxes (and related income taxes owed due to the gross-up payment) under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. Under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, a 20% excise tax is payable by a named executive officer if post termination amounts that are considered to be contingent on a change in control for tax purposes equal or exceed three times the officer's average taxable income for the five years prior to the year of the change in control. This tax equals 20% of all contingent payments that exceed his average taxable income during this period. Amounts that are subject to the 20% excise tax are not deductible under any circumstances by a buyer. If a change in control were to occur, the Company believes that the tax gross-up payments could be reduced because certain amounts may be considered reasonable compensation (such as payments attributable to a non-compete obligation) and taxable income paid prior to the year of the change in control will increase the trigger amount for the 20% tax.

An officer is required to enter into a non-competition and non-solicitation covenant applicable for one year following the termination of his employment in order to receive these benefits. The Company generally may terminate these agreements prior to a change in control.

A "change in control" for the purposes of these agreements generally consists of any of the following:

•

acquisition by a person(s) or other entity(s) of 35% or more of the combined voting power of all the then outstanding voting securities of the Company (other than certain related party acquisitions); provided that such voting power is equal to or greater than the combined voting power of the voting securities held by the Gordon family

•

the current members of the board (and their successors nominated by either the board or the Gordon family) ceasing to constitute a majority of the board

•

approval by the Company's shareholders of a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or a sale of substantially all of the Company's assets unless:

•: the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction hold more than 50% of the voting power of the successor,
•: no person (other than certain related parties) acquires combined voting power of the successor's voting securities equal to or greater than the combined voting power of the voting securities held by the Gordon family or 35% of the combined voting power of all the then outstanding voting securities of the successor and
•: the members of the board prior to the transaction constitute at least a majority of the board of the successor

•

the liquidation or sale of the Company

"Good reason" generally includes any of the following Company actions without the named executive officer's written consent following a change in control:

•: assigning duties that materially reduce the executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company, failure to terminate the executive's employment in compliance with the terms of the agreement or failing to re-elect the executive to any position held immediately before a change in control

•: reducing the executive's annual base salary
•: changing the executive's office location so that he is based more than 50 miles from the facility where he is located at the time of the change in control
•: failing to continue any employee benefit plan or compensation plan in which the executive participates, including but not limited to the Management Incentive Plan, the Excess Benefit Plan and the Career Achievement Plan (or successors to those plans), or failing to continue his level of participation in those plans
•: failing to continue to provide the executive and his dependents with welfare benefits substantially similar to those in which he participates or materially reducing any of those benefits or depriving him of any fringe benefit (including vacation pay)
•: failing to obtain an agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform the obligations under a change in control agreement

Any good faith determination of good reason made by the executive shall be conclusive except that an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action taken in good faith and which the Company remedies promptly after receiving notice shall not constitute good reason.

A termination by the Company for cause generally means any of the following:

•: the commission of a felony
•: a material breach by the executive of his duties (other than any failure that results from his incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the executive's part, which is committed in bad faith and which is not remedied within a reasonable period of time after notice

The following table estimates these change in control benefits as though the named executive officer's employment was terminated without cause immediately after a change in control on December 31, 2007 (the last business day of 2007). Use of these assumptions is required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. With those assumptions taken as a given, the Company believes that the remaining assumptions listed below, which are necessary to produce these estimates, are reasonable in the aggregate. However, the executive's employment was not terminated on December 31, 2007 and a change in control did not occur on that date. There can be no assurance that a termination of employment, a change in control or both would produce the same or similar results as those described if either or both of them occur on any other date or at any other price, or if any assumption is not correct in fact.

Change in Control Payment and Benefit Estimates
December 31, 2007


Executive	Aggregate Severance Pay(1)		Present Value of Accelerated Vesting of Deferred Compensation(2)		Welfare Benefit Continuation		Tax Gross Up Payment(3)

Melvin J. Gordon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer		—		—		—		—

Ellen R. Gordon, President and Chief Operating Officer		—		—		—		—

G. Howard Ember, Jr., Vice President/Finance	$	2,921,000	$	180,484	$	66,207	$	1,179,432

John W. Newlin, Jr., Vice President/Manufacturing		4,023,000		0		27,289		1,359,445

Thomas E. Corr, Vice President/Marketing and Sales		3,922,000		250,431		56,626		1,447,547

(1): Assumes that any bonus paid for 2007 is earned and otherwise payable under the Management Incentive Plan.
(2): Reflects the present value of the accelerated vesting under applicable tax rules.
(3): Assumes that the tax gross-up is based on the officer's taxable wages (Form W-2, Box 1) for the years 2002 through 2006 and that the officer's maximum net combined tax rate equals 58.40%. The total tax gross-up figure does not reflect any reductions that may be taken into account due to the value of the non-competition and non-solicitation agreement under applicable tax rules.

Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreements

If Mrs. Gordon and Messrs. Ember, Newlin and Corr had died on December 31, 2007, their family life insurance trusts would have received $60,775,414, $994,425, $1,009,941 and $995,402, respectively, under whole life insurance policies subject to their split dollar life insurance agreements. No life insurance proceeds would have been payable solely upon the death of Mr. Gordon. An additional $76,168,365 in survivorship life insurance proceeds would have been payable under the split dollar agreements to the Gordon family life insurance trusts in the event that both Mr. Gordon and Mrs. Gordon had died on or about December 31, 2007. All premiums paid by the Company to fund these benefits are fully recoverable upon payment of death proceeds from the life insurance policies subject to the split dollar life insurance agreements. Certain life insurance benefits payable with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer were provided by the Company in lieu of substantial non-qualified deferred compensation benefits that they would otherwise accrue or would have accrued during their employment with the Company over a period of approximately 25 years. The compensation consultant determined that the combined amounts surrendered by The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer through the end of fiscal year 2005 exceeds the Company's cost of maintaining the policies subject to these split dollar life insurance agreements. As noted in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, this benefit is intended to minimize the necessity for the estates of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer to sell large blocks of the Company's common stock to pay estate taxes that might otherwise disrupt the market for the Company's shares.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company was responsible for determining the compensation of the executive officers of the Company. Mr. Gordon is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Mrs. Gordon is the President and Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer recuse themselves from votes regarding their own compensation, or in circumstances where their participation, as an executive officer of the Company, would affect compliance with federal securities law or Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

The Company directs the majority of its charitable giving through a foundation of which Mr. and Mrs. Gordon are the sole directors. The foundation supports a number of medical research, educational and other charitable organizations principally located in cities where the Company has operations, as well as a matching gifts program for employees. The Company believes, due to the well-known and long-standing affiliation of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon with the Company, that any private or public recognition of them, which donee institutions sometimes give, provides a benefit to the Company. In 2007 the Board of Directors approved a donation of $400,000 to the foundation.

Policy Regarding Related Persons Transaction

The Board adopted a written policy in March 2007 that all direct or indirect transactions between the Company and its executive officers, directors or stockholders holding 5% or more of its voting securities, and any other transactions required to be disclosed as related person transactions by Item 404 of the SEC's Regulation S-K, shall be in the best interests of the Company and, unless different terms are specifically approved or ratified by disinterested members of the Board, must be on terms that are no less favorable to the Company than would be obtained in a similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances, or generally available to substantially all employees. All related person transactions or series of similar transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Regulation S-K Item 404 must be presented to the Board for pre-approval or ratification.

Each of the Company's directors and executive officers is required by the policy to promptly notify the President of any related person transaction in which such director or executive officer may be directly or indirectly involved as soon as he or she becomes aware of a possible transaction. The President is responsible for reviewing all related person transactions and taking all reasonable steps to ensure that all material related person transactions be presented to the Board for pre-approval or ratification by disinterested members of the Board in their discretion at its next regularly scheduled meeting, or by consent in lieu of a meeting if deemed appropriate.

For related person transactions that are not required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K, the President shall determine whether the transaction is in compliance with the policy. If, however, such a non-material related person transaction involves the President or the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Finance and the Treasurer shall jointly determine whether the transaction is in compliance with the policy, unless the amount involved in such non-material related person transaction is in excess of $25,000, in which case the Chairman of the Audit Committee shall determine whether the transaction is in compliance with the policy.

PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the 2008 fiscal year. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has been the Company's independent auditors since 1968. Although not required by the Company's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, the Board of Directors deems it to be in the best interest of the Company to submit to the shareholders a proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and recommends a vote in favor of such ratification. It is not expected that representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will attend the Annual Meeting.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2008.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the approximate aggregate fees billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, for professional services in 2007 and 2006.

	2007		2006
Audit Fees (1)	$	585,000	$	536,400
Tax Fees (2)		276,766		215,591
Audit related fees (3)		66,150		61,000
All Other Fees (4)		3,600		3,600

(1): The fees in this category were for services rendered in connection with the annual integrated audit.
(2): The fees in this category were for services rendered for tax compliance, tax consulting, and tax planning.
(3): The fees in this category were for statutory audit services performed in connection with a Mexican subsidiary.
(4): The fees in this category represent payments for a license to use software relating to accounting rules and regulations.

All audit, audit-related services, tax and other services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the Company are pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to a pre-approval policy adopted by the Audit Committee. Pursuant to that Policy, the Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval to one or more of its members, provided that any member to whom any such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval of services to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Company's audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Audit Committee has discussed with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, which is responsible for expressing opinions on (a) the conformity of the Company's audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, and (b) the Company's internal control over financial reporting, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, including their judgments as to the quality of the Company's financial reporting. The Audit Committee has received from the independent

registered public accounting firm written disclosures and a letter as required by the Independence Standards Board, Standard No. 1, as amended, and discussed with the independent registered public accountants the firm's independence from management and the Company.

In reliance on the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the year-end audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

As stated in the Audit Committee charter, it is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. That is the responsibility of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and management. In giving our recommendation to the Board, the Committee has relied on (i) management's representation that such financial statements have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and (ii) the report of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm with respect to such financial statements.

The foregoing report has been approved by the Audit Committee, the members of which are:

Richard P. Bergeman, Chairman
Lana Jane Lewis-Brent
Barre A. Seibert

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2009 ANNUAL MEETING

In order to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, any shareholder proposals should be addressed to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: Ellen R. Gordon, President, and must be received no later than November 24, 2008. In addition, the Company's Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for shareholder proposals to be brought before any annual meeting of shareholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors. Shareholders at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may consider shareholder proposals or nominations brought by a shareholder of record on March 10, 2008 who is entitled to vote at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and who has given the Assistant Corporate Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of the shareholder's proposal or nomination. A shareholder proposal or nomination intended to be brought before the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must have been received by the Assistant Corporate Secretary on or after February 7, 2008 and on or prior to March 9, 2008. The Assistant Corporate Secretary did not receive notice of any shareholder proposals or nominations relating to the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is expected to be held on May 4, 2009. A shareholder proposal or nomination intended to be brought before the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Assistant Corporate Secretary on or after February 3, 2009 and on or prior to March 5, 2009.

Shareholders may communicate to the Board of Directors or any individual director in writing, by regular mail, addressed to the Board of Directors or an individual director, care of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: Ellen R. Gordon, President. Mrs. Gordon and her staff will compile any such communications and relay them to the applicable Board member or members.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 5, 2008

A copy of this proxy statement, the enclosed proxy card and the 2007 Annual Report of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. can be found at the website address: http://ww3.ics.adp.com/streetlink/TR. Directions to the stockholder meeting can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Assistant Secretary at (773) 838-3431.

HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

Some banks, brokers, broker-dealers and other similar organizations acting as nominee record holders may be participating in the practice of "householding" proxy statements and annual reports. This means that only one copy of this proxy statement and the Annual Report may have been sent to multiple shareholders in your household. If you would prefer to receive separate copies of a proxy statement or Annual Report for other shareholders in your household, either now or in the future, please contact your bank, broker, broker-dealer or other similar organization serving as your nominee. Upon written or oral request to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: Assistant Secretary, or via telephone at (773) 838-3431, we will provide separate copies of the Annual Report and/or this proxy statement.

GENERAL

The Board of Directors does not know of any matters other than the foregoing that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. However, if other matters should be properly presented at the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment pursuant to the discretionary authority granted in the proxy.

A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 is being mailed herewith.

A copy of the Company's 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K without exhibits may be obtained without charge upon written request to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: G. Howard Ember Jr., Vice President/Finance. A reasonable charge will be made for requested exhibits.

		By Order of the Board of Directors
		Barry P. Bowen
		Assistant Secretary
Chicago, Illinois March 24, 2008

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned shareholder of TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC. (the “Company”) hereby appoints ELLEN R. GORDON, MICHAEL L. SOFFIN and ROBERT A. GOULDIN and each of them, as the undersigned’s proxies (with the power of substitution) to vote all the shares of Common Stock and/or Class B Common Stock of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders of such Company to be held on May 5, 2008, at 9:00 A.M. (EDST) and any adjournment thereof, on the matters set forth on the reverse side hereof.

This Proxy will be voted in accordance with Instructions Specified on the reverse side, but in the absence of any Instructions will be voted “FOR” Items (1) and (2). If any other business is presented at the meeting, the proxies are authorized to vote thereon in their discretion. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy heretofore given.

PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.

A RETURN ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

COMMENTS:

14475

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.

May 5, 2008

PROXY CARD FOR: COMMON STOCK

Please date, sign and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.

20530000000000000000 7

050508

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

Election of Directors:

NOMINEES:

FOR ALL NOMINEES

o    Melvin J. Gordon
o    Ellen R. Gordon
o    Lane Jane Lewis-Brent
o    Barre A. Seibert
o    Richard P. Bergeman

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR ALL NOMINEES

FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See instructions below)

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2008.

In their discretion on any other business that may properly come before such meeting.

TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD.

INSTRUCTION:

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submited via this method.

Signature of Shareholder

Date:

Signature of Shareholder

Date:

Note: Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY.

A RETURN ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

COMMENTS:

14475

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.

May 5, 2008

PROXY CARD FOR: CLASS B COMMON STOCK

Please date, sign and mail

your proxy card in the

envelope provided as soon

as possible.

Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.

20530000000000000000 7

050508

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x

Election of Directors:

NOMINEES:

FOR ALL NOMINEES

o    Melvin J. Gordon
o    Ellen R. Gordon
o    Lane Jane Lewis-Brent
o    Barre A. Seibert
o    Richard P. Bergeman

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR ALL NOMINEES

FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See instructions below)

FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2008.

In their discretion on any other business that may properly come before such meeting.

TO INCLUDE ANY COMMENTS, USE THE COMMENTS BOX ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS CARD.

INSTRUCTION:

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “FOR ALL EXCEPT” and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here:

Signature of Shareholder

Date:

Signature of Shareholder

Date:

QuickLinks

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 5, 2008
PROXY STATEMENT Annual Meeting of Shareholders—May 5, 2008
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
VOTING INFORMATION
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK AND CLASS B COMMON STOCK BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2009 ANNUAL MEETING
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIAL FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 5, 2008
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS
GENERAL