Godiva Chocolatier facts for kids
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Confectionery production |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Founder | Joseph Draps |
| Headquarters |
333 West 34th Street, New York City
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U.S.
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Area served
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Worldwide |
| Products | Food and Beverage (Chocolate and Coffee) |
| Owner |
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| Parent |
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Godiva Chocolatier is a famous chocolate company. It makes delicious chocolates and other sweet treats. The company started in Belgium in 1926. Today, it is owned by a large Turkish company called Yıldız Holding.
In 2019, a company from South Korea called MBK Partners bought Godiva's business in Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. They also bought a factory in Belgium. Godiva had planned to open many coffee shops around the world. But in 2021, they closed all their stores in North America. This happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic and fewer people shopping in person. However, you can still buy Godiva chocolates in many other ways.
Godiva has factories in Turkey, the United States, and Belgium. Most of the chocolate sold in the U.S. is made in factories in Reading, Pennsylvania and Turkey.
Contents
History of Godiva
How Godiva Started
Godiva began in Brussels, Belgium, in 1926. A man named Pierre Draps started making chocolates in his home. He sold them to stores in Belgium. Pierre had three sons: Joseph, Francois, and Pierre Jr. They all learned about the chocolate business from a young age. After their father passed away, the sons kept the chocolate workshop going.
In 1945, the Draps family started using the name "Godiva." Joseph Draps' wife, Gabrielle, thought of the name. It was inspired by an English noblewoman named Lady Godiva. Soon after, the brothers opened their first Godiva shop in Brussels. They opened a second shop less than six months later.
By 1958, Godiva had twenty stores in Belgium. They also opened their first shop outside Belgium, in Paris, France. Godiva chocolates became known around the world at the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels.
Godiva Joins Campbell Soup Company
In 1966, the Campbell Soup Company bought a part of Godiva. This allowed Godiva chocolates to be sold in the United States for the first time. Campbell's opened a factory in Reading, Pennsylvania, to make Godiva chocolate for the American market. In 1972, the first Godiva shop in North America opened in New York City. That same year, Godiva chocolates also became available in Japan. By 1974, the Draps Family sold all of Godiva to the Campbell Soup Company. Campbell's then helped Godiva grow even more around the world.
Godiva Under Yıldız Holding
By 2007, Godiva was a very successful company. The Campbell Soup Company decided to sell Godiva. In December 2007, they agreed to sell Godiva to Yıldız Holding. Yıldız Holding is a large company from Istanbul, Turkey. This sale was completed in March 2008.
In May 2012, Godiva opened a special cafe in London's Harrods department store. It offered chocolate drinks, pastries, and chocolates. Godiva also has a store in the Harrods Food Hall.
In 2016, Godiva celebrated its 90th birthday. They also opened their 100th store in China. In 2017, Godiva opened its first store in Australia. They also opened a special chocolate research center in Brussels. In 2018, Godiva opened its first cafe-style store in Brussels.
In Japan, in 2018, Godiva suggested that people stop the tradition of giri choco. This is where women buy chocolate for male co-workers and friends on Valentine's Day. Many people liked Godiva's idea.
Godiva's Business in Some Countries Sold to MBK Partners
In 2019, a company called MBK Partners bought Godiva's business in Japan, South Korea, and Australia. They also got the rights to expand into New Zealand. Yıldız Holding still owns the Godiva brand everywhere. MBK Partners got a special agreement to use the brand name.
Two Companies, One Brand
Yıldız Holding's Godiva
In 2019, Godiva, owned by Yıldız, opened its first cafe in New York City. They had big plans to open many more cafes worldwide. However, in 2021, they decided to close all their physical stores in North America. Most of their stores in Europe also closed.
As of April 2024, the part of Godiva owned by Yıldız is now part of Pladis. Pladis is another company owned by Yıldız that makes snacks and sweets.
MBK Partners' Godiva
MBK Partners runs Godiva in Japan, South Korea, and Australia. They have over 300 shops in Japan, 35 in Korea, and 8 in Australia as of March 2025. These shops sell chocolates, biscuits, cakes, ice cream, and drinks. Since 2021, they have also opened cafes and bakeries under the Godiva name.
Helping the Community
Godiva cares about where its cocoa comes from. They are part of the World Cocoa Foundation and Cocoa Horizons Foundation. They also work with Save the Children to help kids. Godiva has a program called The Lady Godiva Program. It works with other groups to help people. Godiva also works to make sure cocoa farming is good for the environment. They want to stop deforestation (cutting down forests) where cocoa is grown.
Godiva also helps children get an education in places where coffee is grown. In 2020, Godiva started The Lady Godiva Initiative. Through this, they give money to five groups each year. These groups work to help and empower women in different countries.
Godiva Store Locations
In 2016, Godiva had about 650 stores around the world. They grew very quickly, especially in countries like China and Japan.
In 2021, Godiva announced it would close its 128 stores in North America. This was because fewer people were shopping in malls. Customers could still buy Godiva products online or in other stores. Most Godiva stores in Europe also closed.
As of March 2025, Godiva still has eight stores in Europe. Three are in London, two in Brussels, and three in Portugal. Godiva has many more stores in Asia. These include China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey.
MBK Partners runs Godiva stores, cafes, and bakeries in Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
How Godiva Chocolates Are Made
Godiva has factories in Brussels, Belgium, in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA, and in Turkey. Godiva chocolate sold in the United States has been made in Reading, Pennsylvania, since the 1960s. It is made to suit American tastes. Today, most of the chocolate sold in the USA is made in Turkey.
In 2017, Yıldız changed how Godiva makes its chocolates. They stopped using alcohol in the chocolate filling. This allows the chocolates to be certified as Halal. Godiva chocolates sold in the United States were already made without alcohol. This was to follow state laws about alcohol in candy.
See also
In Spanish: Godiva Chocolatier para niños
