Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares

Founded in 1852 by Italian immigrant Domenico Ghirardelli, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is one of America's oldest and most prestigious chocolate makers. Originally established in San Francisco, California, the brand is synonymous with the Gold Rush era and the city's culinary history. Ghirardelli is unique among American chocolatiers for maintaining control over the entire chocolate-making process, from sourcing the cacao beans to the final refining and molding of their signature squares.

Today, the brand's primary manufacturing facility is located in San Leandro, California, where it produces its world-famous chocolates for global distribution. While it maintains its deep American heritage and San Francisco roots, the brand underwent a significant corporate evolution in 1998 when it was acquired by the Swiss confectionery giant Lindt & Sprüngli. This partnership has allowed Ghirardelli to maintain its premium artisanal quality while benefiting from the global reach and technical expertise of its Swiss parent company.