Royce' facts for kids
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|
Private K.K. | |
Industry | Foods |
Founded | July 1983 |
Headquarters | Sapporo, Japan |
Key people
|
Yasuhiro Yamazaki (President) |
Products | Chocolates |
Number of employees
|
700 (2009) |
Royce' Confect Co., Ltd. (also known as ROYCE) is a well-known Japanese company that makes delicious chocolate. They are especially famous for their "nama chocolate." This special chocolate is a type of ganache, which is a smooth mix of melted cacao and fresh cream. It's often dusted with fine cocoa powder, making it extra tasty!
Contents
The Story of Royce' Chocolate
How Royce' Started
Royce' began its journey in July 1983. Their first office was in Hokkaidō, a large island north of Tokyo. By November of that same year, they started making their very first chocolates. The company grew slowly at first, learning how to fit into the Japanese market.
In 1985, Royce' grew bigger and introduced its first chocolate bar. A few years later, in 1989, they added a special machine to mold chocolates. This helped them make more kinds of chocolates and compete with other brands.
Growing in Asia
The 1990s were a big time for Royce'. In 1990, they launched their Pure Chocolate line. Then, in May 1993, the first Royce' shop opened. It was called the "Higashi Naebo Main Shop." This shop sold Royce' chocolates and fun souvenirs. That same year, Royce' also started making cookies.
A very important moment came in 1995 when Royce' introduced their Nama Chocolate. This became one of their most popular products. The word nama means raw in Japanese. Nama chocolate is a special kind of Japanese chocolate that is very smooth and creamy.
Reaching More People
In 1996, Royce' set up a delivery center. This helped them send their chocolates to more customers using trucks. In 1997, they opened a sales shop in downtown Sapporo, a big city in Hokkaidō. People in Sapporo quickly fell in love with Royce' chocolates. Because of this, Royce' moved its main office to Sapporo later that year.
Royce' kept growing! They launched a new chocolate called Truffle. They also started selling their chocolates in airports, like Chitose Airport. By 1998, Royce' had its own internet website. A new factory opened in 1999, helping them make even more delicious treats.
In 2000, Royce' opened an online store, so people could buy their chocolates from home. They even started advertising in airplane magazines! By 2002, Royce' began selling bakery products too.
What Does the Name Royce' Mean?
The name Royce' comes from the first name of the company's founder, Yasuhiro Yamazaki. He played around with the sounds of his name to create a unique and memorable brand. The name ROYCE' is a simplified English version of the Japanese sounds he created.
Delicious Chocolate Products
Royce' makes many different kinds of chocolates and sweets. Here are some of their popular products:
- Dacquoise
- Financier
- Lurumaro Chocola
- Madeleines
- Nama Chocolate
- Nutty Bar Chocolate
- Petite Truffe
- Royce' Chocolate Bars
- Royce' Pure Chocolate
- Potato Chip Chocolate
- Popcorn
- Baton Cookies
- Wafers
- Prafeuille Chocolat
- Criollo Chocolate
- Namachoco Croissant
Where to Find Royce'
Stores in Japan
Royce' has many stores across Japan. As of 2021, they had 13 main shops. They are also very popular in duty-free shops at Japanese airports, with 29 locations! You can also order their products online directly from their Japanese factories.
Stores Around the World
Royce' chocolates are enjoyed in many countries outside Japan. They have retail shops in 16 different countries. In the United States, for example, they have 15 stores. Some of these shops even offer same-day delivery or pick-up services through apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats. Royce' also sells directly to customers in the continental US through its online store.
In March 2020, Royce' closed its 9 stores in South Korea. This happened because sales were dropping. There was a time when people in South Korea were choosing not to buy Japanese products, which affected Royce's business there.