Refocusing, Campbell Sells Godiva (Published 2007) (2024)

Business|Refocusing, Campbell Sells Godiva

https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/21/business/21deal.html

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The Campbell Soup Company agreed on Thursday to sell its Godiva Chocolatier unit to Yildiz Holding of Turkey for $850 million.

The sale of Godiva, the Belgian chocolate maker with $500 million in annual sales, ends an auction that went on for months and included a cast of colorful suitors: Starbucks, Hershey’s, William Wrigley Jr. and several private equity firms.

Campbell decided to sell Godiva, which it acquired in 1967 and built into a worldwide phenomenon, to focus more on its traditional business of soups and snacks. It is increasingly marketing its products as part of a healthy lifestyle, one that chocolate may not fit.

The sale would help Campbell, which reported a 7.2 percent drop in fiscal first-quarter net income in November as a result of higher expenses, in part at Godiva.

Godiva will become part of the Ulker Group, which is owned by Yildiz.

“We are very pleased with the value we obtained for Godiva,” said Douglas R. Conant, Campbell’s chief executive. “The sale price reflects the strength of the Godiva business. Godiva is one of the world’s leading premium chocolate businesses and is an excellent strategic fit within Ulker’s portfolio.” The sale price represents a multiple of nearly 15 times Godiva’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Ulker is the largest consumer goods company in the Turkish food industry, with businesses in cookies, chocolate, confectionery, beverages and dairy. The acquisition is the company’s largest and may help it expand its business internationally.

Campbell Soup was advised by Centerview Partners, and its legal adviser was Davis Polk & Wardwell. Yildiz Holding was advised by Standard Unlu and Citigroup; its legal adviser was Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

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Refocusing, Campbell Sells Godiva (Published 2007) (2024)

FAQs

Why did Campbell sell Godiva? ›

Wrigley Jr. as well as several private equity firms. Campbell decided to sell Godiva, which it acquired in 1967 and built into a worldwide phenomenon, to focus more on it tradition business of soups and snacks, which are increasingly being marketed as part of a healthy lifestyle, one that chocolate does not fit.

How much did Godiva sell for? ›

In December 2007, Campbell announced that it entered into an agreement to sell Godiva to Yıldız Holding, which is based in Istanbul, Turkey, which is the owner of Ülker group and the largest consumer goods manufacturer in Turkey. The acquisition was completed in March 2008 for $850 million.

Why did Godiva decide to sell online? ›

Why did Godiva decide to sell online? Answer: The Godiva.com was looking for an alternate sales channel for selling their products to increase sales profitability. So they decided to create an E-commerce website to sell online to both businesses and individuals.

Who was the most famous chocolatier who started Godiva chocolate? ›

Established in 1926 in Belgium by Pierre Draps, working from his home in Brussels producing chocolate pralines; today, the Godiva name is generally regarded as the most popular luxury Belgian chocolate maker in the world.

Does Campbell Soup still own Godiva? ›

Campbell Agrees to Sell Godiva Chocolatier to Yildiz Holding A.S. for $850 Million.

Does Campbell's soup own Godiva? ›

Campbell decided to sell Godiva, which it acquired in 1967 and built into a worldwide phenomenon, to focus more on its traditional business of soups and snacks. It is increasingly marketing its products as part of a healthy lifestyle, one that chocolate may not fit.

Why is Godiva so expensive? ›

What makes Godiva known as such a premium confection is its high-quality ingredients and detailed production process, she said, and has nothing to do with where it is found. And, she added, the premium chocolate category posted a 16% growth rate, higher than the 10% growth the entire chocolate category is seeing.

Where is Godiva chocolate made now? ›

The U.S.-based Godiva plant is located in Reading, PA, and according to the site, it "produces the same amount of chocolate for the U.S. market as the Belgium plant produces for the rest of the world."

Why was Godiva sued? ›

(Reuters) - Something weird is happening in a class action accusing Godiva Chocolatier Inc of falsely marketing its chocolate as being made exclusively in Belgium. At issue is the settlement claims process, funded by Godiva and executed by Kroll Notice Media Solutions.

Why is Godiva chocolate closing? ›

Godiva to close all 128 chocolate stores in North America, citing decline in shoppers due to pandemic.

Who took over Godiva stores? ›

On Valentine's Day, February 14th 2021 Läderach – chocolatier suisse signed an asset purchase agreement allowing Läderach to assume the leases for 34 GODIVA locations across the United States. As a result of this transfer, Läderach will take over the leases of all of these 34 GODIVA locations.

Why did Godiva chocolate close? ›

The company said sales dropped due to a decline of in-person shopping and a change in buying habits during the pandemic. Nurtac Afridi, Godiva's new CEO, was appointed in December 2020. She made the decisions about store closings and decided to keep open the locations in Europe, Greater China and the Middle East.

Is Godiva or Lindt better? ›

In conclusion, both Lindt and Godiva are reputable chocolate brands that offer high-quality products. Lindt is known for its affordability, wide range of flavors, and smooth texture, while Godiva is renowned for its luxurious taste, attention to detail, and elegant packaging.

What is the Godiva controversy? ›

In 2019, Steve Hesse and Adam Buxbaum filed a lawsuit against Godiva, arguing that the brand misrepresented the product because "Belgium 1926" on the wrapper falsely implied that it was made in Belgium. Naturally, Godiva disputed the lawsuit's claims and the $5 million in damages Buxbaum and Hesse wanted.

What is the best chocolate in the world? ›

Top 10 Chocolate Brands From Around the World (2022-2023)
  • McGuire Chocolate (Canada) - Average Score 87.7.
  • BOHO Chocolate (United States) - Average Score 87.0.
  • SLOK Chocolate (Hong Kong) - Average Score 86.9.
  • Beau Cacao (France) - Average Score 85.6.
  • Pacari Chocolate (Ecuador) - Average Score 85.0.

Why is there a lawsuit against Godiva? ›

As previously covered on this blog, a class action lawsuit against Godiva Chocolatier alleges that the claim 'Belgium 1926' on Godiva's products sold in the U.S. is misleading because it implies that the chocolate is made in Europe when it is actually made in Pennsylvania and is a different quality than chocolate made ...

Why are Godiva chocolate stores closing? ›

Sad news: Godiva will close all its shops in the United States and Canada by March. The company said sales dropped due to a decline of in-person shopping and a change in buying habits during the pandemic. Nurtac Afridi, Godiva's new CEO, was appointed in December 2020.

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