World's Finest Chocolate facts for kids

World's Finest Chocolate is a company that makes delicious chocolate. It is based in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. The company started in 1939. Today, it is well-known for helping schools and other groups raise money through fundraising events.

How World's Finest Chocolate Began

The company was first called Cook Chocolate Company. It was started by Edmond Opler Sr. in 1939.

In 1949, Edmond Opler Sr. created a special part of the company. This part made chocolate bars just for fundraising. He named this new part "World's Finest Chocolate."

Later, in 1972, the whole company officially changed its name to "World's Finest Chocolate." In 1985, the company moved into a very large factory. Edmond Opler Sr. retired in 1988, and his son, Edmond Jr., took over running the company.

World's Finest Chocolate has also grown by buying other companies. In 2006, they bought Queen Anne, a brand famous for its chocolate-covered cherries. In 2015, they bought Market Day, which sold frozen foods.

In 2021, World's Finest Chocolate started giving back. They began a monthly $2,000 giveaway for teachers. They also donated about 10 million chocolate bars to doctors and nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Making Chocolate and Helping Others

World's Finest Chocolate makes its chocolate bars from cocoa beans. These beans come from a special cocoa farm in St. Lucia. The company has a production site in South Chicago where the chocolate is made.

Today, the company mostly focuses on helping groups with Fundraising events. They are one of the biggest suppliers of chocolate for school fundraisers and gifts for businesses.

The company says it has sold more than 6 billion chocolate bars. These chocolate bars are their most famous product. Since 1949, they have helped their customers raise over $4.4 billion!