Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Encyclopedia
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator in the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The Company is based in the town of Durango located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. From its 53000 square feet (4,923.9 m²) factory, the Company manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products to supply its many franchise locations, delivered fresh by its fleet of refrigerated trucks. The factory typically produces approximately 300 chocolate candies and other confectionery products, using proprietary recipes developed primarily by its master candy maker. These products include many varieties of clusters, caramels, creams, meltaways, truffles and molded chocolates. Individual stores prepare a variety of caramel and candy apples, fudge, chocolate items and confections in full view of the customer using traditional cooking utensils such as copper kettles on gas-fired stoves and marble slab cooling tables.
In 1985 the Company went public and is now traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol "RMCF".
, but the company doesn't sell franchises. In 1981 the first store was opened on Main street by Frank and two partners. In 1982 the company's first franchises, one in Colorado Springs and one in Park City, Utah
were opened. An offsite factory was also built that year. In 1983 the two other partners left the business. In 1985 the company went public on the NASDAQ. In 1996 Whitman's Candies made an offer to buy the company for US$
16 million. The offer was rejected by management after the company's results improved in late 1999.
In 1985 the Company went public and is now traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol "RMCF".
History
The company was founded by Frank Crail, who had recently moved to Durango from Newport Beach, California to raise his family in a small town. He later confessed to Candy industry magazine that he would have opened a See's CandiesSee's Candies
See's Candies is a manufacturer and distributor of candy, particularly chocolate, in the western United States. It was founded by Charles See, his wife Florence, and his mother Mary in Los Angeles, California, in 1921. The company is now headquartered in South San Francisco, California...
, but the company doesn't sell franchises. In 1981 the first store was opened on Main street by Frank and two partners. In 1982 the company's first franchises, one in Colorado Springs and one in Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
were opened. An offsite factory was also built that year. In 1983 the two other partners left the business. In 1985 the company went public on the NASDAQ. In 1996 Whitman's Candies made an offer to buy the company for US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
16 million. The offer was rejected by management after the company's results improved in late 1999.