In the world of chocolate, only a handful of companies dominate the global industry. One of these companies began as a small shop and has since transformed into a $20 billion-a-year business.
In 1824, a man named John Cadbury, an English trader from Birmingham opened a grocery store on Bull Street, where he became known for selling cocoa and drinking chocolate. He used a pestle and mortar to prepare his cocoa, laying the foundation for his future chocolate empire. Born on August 12, 1801, into a wealthy Quaker family, John attended Crosfields School and eventually married twice, having three children: Maria, George, and Richard.
At the age of 30, in 1831, John decided to take a bold risk. He purchased a warehouse and began manufacturing chocolate with the help and support of his sons, George and Richard. His chocolate quickly gained popularity, prompting a move to a larger factory on Bridge Street in 1847. Cadbury became the first company to sell milk chocolate that everyone could love and enjoy, launching the now-iconic Cadbury Dairy Milk, which remains a favorite today.
John’s ingredients were simple: milk, sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, vegetable fats, and a few other elements. Unfortunately, as John’s health declined, he could no longer manage the business. In 1861, following the passing of his wife, he passed the company on to George and Richard. John Cadbury died at the age of 87 on May 11, 1889, but his legacy lived on as the company continued to grow and innovate.
By 1914, Cadbury had become the best-selling chocolate brand in the United Kingdom. In 1988, the Hershey Company acquired the U.S. rights to sell Cadbury products in America, further expanding its reach. Today, Cadbury is valued at around $5.7 billion, sells approximately 350 million chocolate bars annually, and produces an astonishing 400 million chocolate products each day. The company is currently owned and operated by Mondelez International, which was formed by Kraft in 2012.
Even after more than 200 years, Cadbury remains one of the largest and most beloved chocolate companies in the world, cherished by adults and children alike.