Chocolate Works Acquires Thompson Chocolate

May 13, 2025

Addition of manufacturer of specialty and foil-wrapped chocolate novelties will expand Chocolate Works’ private-label and co-manufacturing capabilities.

Andy Hanacek

Chocolate processor Chocolate Works has acquired Meriden, Conn.-based Thompson Chocolate, a manufacturer of specialty and foil-wrapped chocolate novelties, according to a release.

Thompson Chocolate was founded in 1879 and has manufactured chocolate products for global chocolate brands and retailers, typically centered around its high-quality foil-wrapping capabilities across a wide variety of chocolate formats in the U.S. marketplace.

Thompson is the second bolt-on acquisition for Chocolate Works, which purchased Moonstruck Chocolate in July 2022. Joe Whaley, founder and vice chairman of Chocolate Works, explained that adding Thompson “significantly expands our private label and co-manufacturing production capabilities and expands our branded offerings.”

For Thompson, joining forces with Chocolate Works expands its offerings to include bars, truffles, cocoa bombs and enrobed chocolate snacks in a wide range of packaging formats, said Thompson CEO Steve Gollob.

The acquisition of Thompson was facilitated by Insignia Capital Group, the parent company of Chocolate Works. Chocolate Works has facilities in Long Island, N.Y., and Portland, Ore.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.