[When Coffee Dreams, It Dreams of Chocolate Starbucks Coffee Companys Global Consumer Products Group and The Hershey Company Announce Agreement to Launch Premium Chocolate Platform
Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) and The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) today announced a development and distribution agreement that will help transform the premium chocolate segment. The companies will create and market a new Starbucks-branded premium chocolate platform in the United States starting this fall.
Chocolate is the perfect complement to coffee and tea and has long been a part of the coffeehouse experience. We are excited to bring premium chocolate inspired by Starbucks coffee and cafe flavors to Starbucks customers and chocolate lovers, said Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group. Creating a new chocolate platform is another way for us to extend the Starbucks Experience outside of our stores and enhances the coffeehouse experience.
Expert chocolatiers are developing products that translate Starbucks coffeehouse flavors into delicious and distinct chocolate products. The premium platform will combine the highest quality chocolate with Starbucks beverages and cafe flavors, as well as delectable fruits, nuts, herbs and spices. In addition to innovative flavors, this platform will offer new forms and packaging and will be available in a broad range of retail channels such as food, drug and mass merchandise outlets across the United States.
The alliance will draw on the premium expertise of Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Hershey Company. Artisan Confections unique portfolio consists of some of the worlds finest chocolate, including Scharffen Berger and the exquisite truffles of Joseph Schmidt.]
I
can wait.
