Theo Chocolate announces intent to merge with American Licorice Company

 

The transaction follows Theo’s strategic decision to restructure its operations, which will result in the closing of its Seattle manufacturing and reductions in office staff. As a result, appr. 60 Theo employees lose their jobs in the second half of 2023.

When it was founded in 2005, Theo Chocolate was among the first of new well-being bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer in the US. Founders Joe Whinney, Jeff ­ Fairhall and Debra Music produced from the cocoa bean up. And they were also one of the first to focus on organic and fair-trade. Over the past 18 years, Theo Chocolate has grown from a local Seattle company to a nationally ­distributed brand all over the USA and is especially known for its different flavours. 

“Like ­other businesses, we are contending with rising costs across all aspects of our manufacturing and supply chain, requiring us to change. We’ve had to make some tough but necessary decisions to ensure the company‘s long-term viability,” commented Etienne Patout, CEO of Theo Chocolate, the dicision.

The American Licorice Company has existed since 1914 and is still a family business. It produces numerous con­fectionery products and has some well-known brands in the USA. Theo Chocolate‘s commitment to deliver ­delicious, ­organic, ethically sourced chocolate will remain unchanged, with continued availability to consumers ­online and at ­retailers nationwide, writes the company.