Bendicks facts for kids
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| Industry | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1930 |
| Parent | August Storck |
Bendicks is a famous chocolate brand. It is owned by a German company called August Storck. Bendicks is best known for its "Bittermint" dark mint chocolates. These special chocolates are still made using the very first recipe from 1931. They are seen as a truly British treat!
The Story of Bendicks Chocolates
How Bendicks Began
In 1930, two men, Oscar Benson and Colonel 'Bertie' Dickson, bought a small candy business. It was located at 164 Church Street in Kensington, London. The chocolates were made in a tiny basement under the shop. They combined parts of their last names, "Ben" from Benson and "Dicks" from Dickson, to create the name Bendicks.
The Birth of Bittermints
In 1931, Benson's sister-in-law, Lucia Benson, created something new. She made a very dark chocolate that was almost too bitter to eat alone. She also made a mint filling that was super strong with mint oil. But when these two parts were put together, they made a delicious chocolate! They called this new treat Bendicks Bittermints. The chocolate coating is very dark, with 95% cocoa.
Becoming "Bendicks of Mayfair"
By 1933, Bendicks was becoming known for its high-quality chocolates. A new shop opened in Mayfair, a fancy part of London. Many important people visited, including the Duke of Kent. He was the son of King George V and loved the Bittermints. Soon, the company became known as Bendicks of Mayfair.
Moving and Growing
In 1946, Mr. Edgar Lawley bought the business. By 1952, Bendicks moved to a new building in Winchester, Hampshire. This building used to be a billiards hall. Bendicks also took over another chocolate company there, William Cox & Son. This company made "Royal Winchester Chocolates," but that name is not used anymore.
In 1962, Bendicks received a special honor. They were given a Royal Warrant. This meant they were officially chosen to supply chocolates to "Her Majesty The Queen." This made their reputation even stronger!
Chocolate Making and Sales
Most of Bendicks' business was making chocolates covered in a thick layer of chocolate. These were all dipped by hand! This made the chocolate coating very thick. They also made other sweets like nougat and chocolate bars. A fun fact about Bittermints was that you could buy them in very long boxes: 9-inch, 18-inch, and even 36-inch boxes (which was "by the yard").
In 1967, the business moved to a special factory built just for them in Winchester. Later, machines were brought in to help cover the chocolates. This allowed them to make many more chocolates!
During the 1960s, Bendicks also owned several fancy shops in London. Some of these shops were also restaurants. Many of the chocolates sold there came in beautiful china containers. Customers could even bring their own fancy china to be filled with chocolates for gifts!
New Owners Over Time
In 1983, a company called Nabisco Brands bought Bendicks. Later, it became part of Nabisco Group Ltd. Since 1988, Bendicks has been owned by August Storck. This is a German company that makes many different kinds of sweets.
Bendicks in the 21st Century
New Products and Changes
In 2002, Bendicks tried something new. They introduced a box of mixed chocolates called Mingles. However, this product was not very successful.
On April 18, 2011, Storck announced a big change. They planned to move chocolate production from the factory in Hampshire, England, to Germany. This meant 84 jobs would be lost in England. About 30 marketing and sales jobs would stay in Winchester. Storck said this decision was due to economic reasons. The chocolate market was not doing well, and the English factory was not making enough profit.
Kosher Certification Update
In December 2023, Bendicks shared an update on their website. They announced they would no longer have Kosher certification from the London Beth Din. This made some people in the Jewish community upset. Bendicks then clarified that their ingredients would not change. They simply could not continue with the special production process needed to stay certified.
