The global confectionery industry has experienced considerable growth over recent years despite challenges such as supply chain disruptions and record inflation. In 2025, the chocolate confectionery market amounted to over $140 billion in revenue and is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 4.89% until 2030. Milk chocolate accounts for the largest share of the market, contributing 46.4% of revenue.
The chocolate confectionery industry has a rich family business heritage, with nearly half of the world’s top 10 chocolate manufacturers by revenue being family-owned. But even the largest chocolate conglomerates began with humble origins — once operating out of small local shops or factories where artisans mixed, melted, and moulded their treats by hand. Today, many of the world’s oldest chocolatiers remain family-owned, while a new generation of entrepreneurs continues to innovate by blending traditional and regional techniques with modern-day creativity. This legacy of passion and craftsmanship not only delights consumers worldwide but also inspires future leaders in the confectionery business.
Here are 10 notable family-owned chocolatiers:
À la Mère de Famille
Established: 1761
Location: Paris, France
Founded in 1761 by Pierre-Jean Bernard at 35 rue du Faubourg Montmartre, the world’s oldest chocolatier still operates in its celebrated Parisian location today. In 1807, Marie-Adélaïde Bridault, wife of Jean Bernard’s stepson, took the helm, helping to establish the sweetshop’s iconic status and bestowing upon it the beloved name À la Mère de Famille. This family legacy endured for nearly 200 years until confectionery supplier Étienne Dolfi purchased the historic business in 2000.
Today, under the leadership of Étienne Dolfi’s children — Sophie, Steve, Jane, and Jonathan —the original chocolate-making landmark continues to thrive and has expanded to 15 additional locations. The Dolfi family skillfully blends traditional confectionery methods with their own innovative recipes, honouring a rich heritage while driving forward a spirit of entrepreneurship and craftsmanship.
Fargas Chocolates
Established: 1827
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Purportedly, the first solid chocolate was created by a Catalan native in 1777 — so it may not be a coincidence that Fargas Chocolates has been performing chocolate mastery in Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, for nearly as long. As the city’s oldest chocolatier, Fargas officially opened its current operation in 1827, but its founding family had been creating artesian chocolates for much longer.
Over its storied history, the business has passed through several hands. Josep Fargas and Maria Fargas Bosch ran the shop from 1941 until Maria died in 1985, after which long-time employee Rosa Medina took over until selling the establishment to Maria Jesús Lores in 2020. Despite a change of buildings in 2016, the family-owned store remains closely tied to its heritage, continuing to operate near its original location in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona.
Valor
Established: 1881
Location: Alicante, Spain
Building on his family’s rich legacy in chocolate-making, Valeriano López Lloret founded Valor in 1881 — and over nearly 150 years, the López family has transformed the business into Spain’s most renowned chocolate maker. Valor’s signature “Pure Chocolate” — which is crafted without cocoa substitutes — and its steadfast commitment to quality ingredients have driven its international success, with the company producing over 20,000 tonnes of chocolate annually and distributing its products to more than 60 countries. Today, fourth-generation family member Pedro López serves as Chair and CEO, and Valor accounts for 20% of the chocolate bar market in Spain.
Debauve & Gallais
Established: 1800
Location: Paris, France
Debauve’s journey into chocolate-making began as a creative solution to improve the taste of medicinal remedies. By blending cocoa with almond milk, he crafted palatable treatments for the royal family, shaping them into thin coins instead of the more common chocolate drinks of the time. These confections quickly gained popularity and are still sold today as Marie-Antoinette Pistoles.
In 1800, Debauve established the now-legendary Debauve & Gallais chocolate house, which soon became the official chocolatier to Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1819, the shop moved to 30 Rue des Saints-Pères on Paris’s Left Bank, where it continues to delight fans of artisanal chocolate. Debauve’s nephew joined the business in 1823, further refining the company’s signature “health chocolates” and pioneering innovations that earned Debauve & Gallais the prestigious title of “Supplier to the Kings of France”. Today, the company remains family-owned, with Paule Cuvelier taking over in 1989 and her son, Bernard Poussin, now serving as its General Manager.
Leonidas
Established: 1913
Location: Anderlecht, Belgium
Greek confectioner Leonidas Kestekides founded his now-famous Belgian chocolate business in Ghent after mastering his craft in New York City. In the early 20th century, Leonidas expanded his chocolatier’s presence across Belgium, laying the foundation for a lasting legacy. In 1948, his nephew, Basilio Kestekides, took the helm and further grew the brand with the help of his brothers Alexandros and Jean-Yani. Following Basilio’s death in 1970, his brothers established the agri-business Confiserie Leonidas as the chocolate house’s holding company to drive international expansion. Four generations of the Kestekides family have helped build and shape the business that now boasts over 1,300 locations globally, offering over 100 different varieties of Leonidas’ celebrated pralines.
Läderach
Established: 1962
Location: Glarus, Switzerland
Swiss chocolatier Läderach, famous for its innovative truffles, has now been run by three generations. The journey began in 1962 when Rudolf Läderach Jr. founded his confectionery business in the small community of Glarus, but the turning point came in 1970 with his groundbreaking patent for a manufacturing process that produced thin-walled, hollow truffle shells — a revolution that transformed the art of truffle-making.
In 1994, the family’s second generation took control of the business. Under their leadership, Läderach expanded its reach by acquiring Swiss chocolate company Merkur Confiserien AG in 2004, which added more than 40 branches. This strategic move allowed Läderach to sell directly to consumers for the first time, strengthening its position in the market.
The family’s third generation has led the company since 2018, steering its growth on a global scale with locations in South Korea, the US, Canada, and the UK. In 2018, Elias Läderach won the top title at the World Chocolate Masters competition, further cementing the family-run company as a leader in fine chocolate.
Richart
Established: 1925
Location: Lyon, France
Seven-time winner of the Ruban Bleu — France’s most prestigious confectioner’s award — Richart has become synonymous with refined gourmet chocolate. Founded in 1925 by Joseph Richart with a commitment to creating high-quality chocolates, the company has long been a beacon of excellence. Joseph’s son, Michel Richart, took over the family business in 1987, reinventing the brand with his chocolates crafted using intricate surface patterns and colours — a signature innovation that set Richart apart both in France and around the world.
Today, Richart’s boutique locations can be visited in France, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and the US, while the company’s exquisite chocolates are available in over 50 countries.
Elmer Chocolate
Established: 1855
Location: Ponchatoula, US
New Orleans pastry chef Christopher Henry Miller founded Miller Candy Corporation in 1855,setting the stage for a long and distinguished tradition in chocolate making. After his son-in-law, Augustus Elmer, joined the business in 1914, the chocolatier became Elmer Candy Corporation. A pivotal moment came in 1923 with the launch of its “Heavenly Hash” — a blend of marshmallow and roasted almonds in milk chocolate that was acquired from a local competitor in 1923. Another came in 1936, when the company introduced the signature pecan Gold Brick Egg. These treats remain Elmer’s annual best sellers.
In the 1960s, Roy Nelson purchased the confectionery business from the Elmer family and relocated its operations to Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Today, the third generation of the Nelson family runs Elmer Chocolate, proudly upholding its legacy as the oldest family-run chocolate company in the US and the country’s second-largest heart box chocolate manufacturer.
Sprüngli / Lindt & Sprüngli
Established: 1836
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Originating from a small Zurich confectionery shop, Sprüngli and its founding family have evolved into a name synonymous with sweet treats worldwide. The journey began in 1836 when David Sprüngli-Schwarz and his son, Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann, founded the business in Zurich. Upon Rudolf’s retirement in 1892, he split the company between his two sons. David Robert continued the confectionery side of the business under the banner of Confiserie Sprüngli, while his older brother, Johann Rudolf, took over the chocolate division. In a pivotal move in 1899, Johann Rudolf acquired Rodolphe Lindt’s Bern chocolate factory in 1899 and established what is now known as Lindt & Sprüngli.
Today, Lindt & Sprüngli stands as a global leader in premium chocolate, boasting 12 production facilities across Europe and the US, around 560 stores, and over 100 independent distributors globally. Meanwhile, Sprüngli operates 30 locations across Europe, serving up its famous Luxemburgerli brand macaroons, chocolates, and confectioneries. Through it all, the Sprüngli family remains central to the governance of both Sprüngli and Lindt & Sprüngli enterprises.
SABADì
Established: 2011
Location: Modica, Italy
Entrepreneur Simone Sabaini left behind a career in finance to pursue his passion for chocolate, relocating to Sicily to establish his now award-winning chocolate shop. He chose Modica — a city renowned for its chocolate-making tradition — to establish SABADì, setting up his boutique beside the centuries-old baroque Cathedral of San Giorgio.
Unlike most chocolates influenced by the Aztec culture, Modica chocolate has distinctly Spanish origins, using a technique that mixes cocoa beans with sugar. SABADì honours this tradition while pushing the boundaries of innovation, sourcing only organic and fair-trade raw ingredients for its products. This commitment to quality has earned SABADì consecutive titles as the best Modica chocolate, as well as the Gold Bars award — often referred to as the chocolate world’s equivalent to the Oscars. Further setting itself apart, SABADì is also the world’s first chocolatier to develop a chocolate ageing cellar, which gives its products a uniquely refined quality.