'We're Looking For You, Charlie': Jelly Belly Founder Hosting Wonka-Esque Treasure Hunt

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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The founder of Jelly Belly, David Klein, says he is ready to retire and has decided to look for a successor in a rather unusual way.

FAIRFIELD, CA - JUNE 10: Jelly beans are shown at the Jelly Belly candy factory June 10, 2004 in Fairfield, California. The late former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was known for his fondness for jelly beans during his political career and claims the candy helped him quite smoking when he was governor of California. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

"It's gonna be a treasure hunt across the whole entire country," Klein said in a video posted to a website for the contest. "We're gonna be hiding these [golden necklaces]. We've already hidden quite a few of them, and we're going to be hiding them in every state across the country."

Competitors could win $5,000, but participation is not free.

On the contest's website, people can purchase a $50 ticket to enter the hunt for their state's necklace. Once getting the clue, the hunt is on and whoever finds the necklace and submits the corresponding code to TrickyTreasures@gmail.com will get $5,000.

But, even those who did not find the necklace still have a chance at the big prize — the key to one of Klein's candy factories and an all-expenses paid trip and education to a candy-making university.

"That's exciting," Klein said. "We're looking for you, Charlie."