Ghirardelli

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is an American confectionery company known for its premium chocolate products. It was founded in 1852 by Domenico Ghirardelli, an Italian immigrant, in San Francisco, California. The business grew from a small chocolate shop into a major American chocolate manufacturer and became one of the country's oldest continuously operating chocolate companies. In 1998, Ghirardelli was acquired by the Swiss company Lindt & Sprüngli and operates as a subsidiary of that firm. Production and distribution continue under the Ghirardelli brand, with a focus on chocolate squares, bars, cocoa powder, and hot cocoa mixes.

Ghirardelli's most widely recognized products are its chocolate squares, which feature a filled center such as caramel, mint, or raspberry, often identified by their distinctive gold packaging. Other line items include chocolate baking bars, unsweetened cocoa powder, and ready-to-use hot cocoa mixes used for beverages and recipes.

The brand has a retail footprint that includes flagship stores and a historic site in San Francisco known as Ghirardelli Square, which preserves the original factory complex as a mixed-use retail and entertainment district.

The company is part of Lindt & Sprüngli's portfolio of premium chocolates and is distributed internationally. Ghirardelli's branding emphasizes traditional U.S. chocolate heritage and focuses on indulgent chocolate experiences for consumers and gifting markets.