Charlie And The Chocolate Factory made sure that the sight of a chocolate factory anywhere makes our hearts go dhak-dhak.
And our imaginations run wild... wondering if there are wickedly delicious rivers of chocolate and bubbling vats of creamy cocoa butter within.
The worldwide chocolate industry was valued at USD 148.14 billion in 2024. By 2034 it could climb to USD 255.58 billion, according to Polaris Market Research.
Let's take a peek at some of the top chocolate makers...
Laderach
Rudolf Läderach, began revolutionising fine chocolate in 1962 with his patented method of making hollow truffle shells. Laderach is based in Ennenda, Switzerland. Its slabs are also hot property.
Lindt
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG or Lindt, founded in 1845, is a Swiss brand famed for its truffles and bars. Its main factory and museum is in Kilchberg.
Toblerone
For many Toblerone and its Matterhorn shape is synonymous with Swiss chocolate, but it is no longer 'of Switzerland' after it opened a factory in Slovakia. Invented in 1899 by Emil Baumann & Theodor Tobler in Bern.
Sprungli
Separate from Lindt, Confiserie Sprüngli, headquartered near Zurich, David Sprüngli began the luxury chocolate brand in 1836. Luxembourgerli, truffles, pralines are its top offerings.
Godiva
The 1926-established Belgian brand, with factories in Brussels, Reading (US), Topkapi (Turkey), popularised Belgian chocolate, famous for higher cocoa content & therefore more intense flavour.
Neuhaus
Founded in 1857 by Swiss immigrant Jean Neuhaus in Brussels, he set up his first shop in elegant Les Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Famous for its pralines & truffles.
Venchi
The Italian chocolatier begun by Silviano Venchi in 1878 in Castelletto Stura, makes much-loved gelato & crafts fine chocolates (popular: cremino, gianduiotto. nougatine, chocoviar arancia).
Ghirardelli
Founded in California in 1852 by Italian chocolatier Domenico Ghirardelli, it is America's third-oldest chocolate company. Its top picks: squares, sundaes.
Anthon Berg
The Danish chocolate company has since 1884 been making a wide range of treats, many marzipan or liqueur-based. In 1957, it was named Purveyor to the Royal Danish Court.
Tony's
Tony’s Chocolonely, or Tony’s, is a Dutch chocolate company launched in 2005 by journalist/TV producer Teun van de Keuken and has become wildly popular very quickly.
Valrhona
French pâtissier + confectioner Albéric Guironnet started up Chocolaterie du Vivarais in 1922 in a former carpentry space in Tain l’Hermitage. He went on to found a line of celebrated creations.
Charbonnel Et Walker
The prestigious 1875-begun Bond Street British chocolatier came about as a partnership between Virginie Charbonnel of Paris and Minnie Walker in London, with the blessing of future King Edward VII.
Butlers
A renowned Irish maker of premium chocolate bars, truffles, toffees, it is headquartered in Dublin. Marion Bailey-Butler began it 1935.