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Thorntons’ chocolates are made at its factory in Derbyshire. It employs experienced and highly skilled chocolate makers to design products and oversee production. It has approximately 200 stores throughout the UK.

At its store in Derby, a skilled chocolate maker shows customers how the delicious treats are made. Unique premium products can be made to order exactly as the customer requests. The store in Derby was chosen as it has lots of space for the production equipment. It is located near to the factory and each day a chocolate maker from there is selected to be sent to the store.

Thorntons offer franchising, called ‘Thorntons In Your Store’. The franchise is offered to existing business owners, such as card shops, who allocate space to sell Thorntons’ products. The franchise fee is £1000 for five years with the buyer paying for the fixtures and fittings needed. Predicted sales are between £80 000 and £250 000. To support the business owners Thorntons offer training and help with sales and customer service.

People in the UK like chocolate, but they’re eating less. The value of UK chocolate sales is growing but the amount of chocolate sold is falling. Customers are now buying chocolate as a treat. A third of British chocolate buyers splash out on premium products.