Jelly Belly Founder Giving Away Candy Factory in Nationwide Treasure Hunt

Jelly Belly founder David "Candyman" Klein is using his impending retirement to go full Willy Wonka, and he's looking for his very own Charlie Bucket.

Before he steps away from his candy empire for good, Klein is taking a road trip across the country, hiding golden tickets in the form of necklaces for adventurous fans to discover across each state. Though the cost to enter each treasure hunt costs $49.98, each participant has the chance to win $5,000. Now that we think about it, that's not a bad Christmas present…

But here's where the fun really starts. Anyone who joins at least one treasure hunt will be eligible to search for the "ultimate treasure," the key to one of Klein's candy factories and an all-expenses paid trip and education to a candy-making university. (Go ahead, scream.) Klein will add this treasure hunt after all the states have had a chance to play.

"With The Gold Ticket Treasure Hunt, our goal is to get people out and about with their families. Grandma and Grandpa can even join with the kids and grandkids," Klein explained in a press release. "Take videos of your treasure hunt experiences for possible inclusion in our upcoming series."

Get started by watching Klein's documentary, Candyman The David Klein Story, for free on the contest website and be inspired. For more information, join the contest's Facebook page.

The first hunt kicks off in Georgia on September 30. Hurry up and sign up for a hunt at TheGoldTicket.com. Seriously, run! The contest caps at 1,000 participants in each state.

In the words of Mr. Wonka, "Time is a precious thing. Never waste it."

Good luck, y'all!

Note: Jelly Belly is not associated with the contest. Klein worked with the family that now owns Jelly Belly from 1976 to 1980, when the family bought the trademark for the name.