Hotel Chocolat unveils US expansion with two new Chicago stores
British premium confectionery brand has made a key strategic move in opening two new US stores, based in Chicago, as it continues to gain ground under new ownership, writes Neill Barston.
The company, which was acquired by Mars in a deal reportedly valued at £534 million in November 2023, now has major brand support to enable its expansion ambitions.
According to the company’s management, its latest openings in the city’s vibrant Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighbourhoods, mark a significant moment in its mission to share the joy of premium chocolate with the world.
As Hotel Chocolat noted, it has aimed to blend the world of luxury chocolate with sustainable cocoa farming, and has ensured the stores will feature a major range of its offerings as well as their industry leading hot chocolate machine – the Velvetiser, making chocolatier-crafted hot chocolate flakes at the touch of a button.
The stores opened on Thursday of this week, offering a unique immersive experience, fusing premium chocolate gifting with the much-loved Velvetiser Café.
Among the features of the new site, customer can look forward to The “Wall of Chocolate”, showcasing over 100 exquisite recipes, from the zesty Lemon Curd to the warming Chilli & Maple, and the timelessly indulgent Praline.
Within each of the site’s Velvetiser Cafés, the brand will serve its signature drinking chocolate in eighteen irresistible recipes, including Black Forest Gateau and Salted Caramel. There is also a liquid chocolate tap, allowing chocolate aficionados to drizzle molten chocolate over ice cream or baked goods for an unforgettable flavour experience.
An unparalleled gifting selection, including the iconic Hotel Chocolat Sleekster, featuring 27 of the Hotel Chocolat’s most celebrated chocolates – the perfect present for any occasion.
Guests will also have the opportunity to learn more about Hotel Chocolat’s commitment to sustainability through its pioneering gentle farming initiatives, which ensure ethical cocoa sourcing and a sustainable future for chocolate lovers everywhere.
Hotel Chocolat is on a mission to reinvent chocolate globally – transforming the way it is enjoyed with unique formats and flavours,” said Angus Thirlwell, President and Founder of Hotel Chocolat. “We are delighted to bring Hotel Chocolat to the vibrant city of Chicago and introduce a new kind of elevated chocolate experience for people to fall in love with.”
“At Hotel Chocolat, we’re obsessed with having a deep understanding of flavor, individual tastes and consumer preference,” said Kelly Goering, General Manager, Hotel Chocolat US. “The Chicago debut of our Hotel Chocolat retail stores are bringing an uplifting and inventive chocolate experience to fans, through unique offerings like our “Wall of Chocolat” with 100 different tastings to try, along with an unmatched gifting selection, and seasonal favorites just in time for spring.”
