Who Owns Ghirardelli?
Ghirardelli is owned by Lindt & Sprüngli AG (SWX: LISP), the Swiss premium chocolate company. Lindt acquired Ghirardelli in 1998 for approximately $17 million. Ghirardelli was founded in San Francisco in 1852 by Italian immigrant Domenico Ghirardelli and is the oldest continuously operating chocolate company in the United States. Ghirardelli is sold at premium US retail and operates approximately 50 chocolate shops and cafes nationally.
Parent Company
Unknown
Acquired
1998
Status
Private
Headquarters
San Leandro, California, USA
Who Owns Ghirardelli?
History of Ghirardelli
- Founded: 1852
- Founders: Domenico Ghirardelli
- Acquired by : 1998
Domenico Ghirardelli was born in Rapallo, Italy in 1817 and developed his chocolate-making skills in South America before emigrating to San Francisco in 1849, drawn by the California Gold Rush. He initially ran a supply store for miners but shifted to manufacturing confections including chocolate.
In 1852, he established the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, making it the first continuous commercial chocolate operation in the United States. The company grew to become one of San Francisco's most prominent businesses. Ghirardelli Square, the company's original manufacturing district on the San Francisco waterfront, was transformed into a retail and restaurant complex in the 1960s and remains one of San Francisco's most visited landmarks.
Ghirardelli was acquired by the Golden Grain Company in 1963 and later passed to Quaker Oats before Lindt & Sprüngli purchased it in 1998. Under Lindt's ownership, Ghirardelli's distribution expanded nationally and the retail cafe chain was developed into a significant business.
About
- Founded:
- Headquarters:
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Ghirardelli Made / Based?
- Headquarters: San Leandro, California, USA
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