Knoops Chocolate, commonly known as Knoops (pronounced "kuh-noops"),[1] is a British chocolate café chain and retailer.[2][3] The business operates a chain of cafes known for its hand-crafted chocolate drinks.[2][4] The chain was launched in 2013 and, as of May 2024, has outlets in 18 locations in the United Kingdom.[2][5][6][7] The company also produces drinking chocolate and other products which are sold in their cafes, premium retailers Selfridges and Harrods and online.[2][8]
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Jens Knoop |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
Number of locations | 18 shops (May 2024) |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Jens Knoop (Founder) William Gordon-Harris (Chief Executive) |
History
editKnoops Chocolate was founded in 2013 by Jens Knoop, former IT manager who grew up in Germany and was interested in chocolate from an early age.[2][9][10] He opened the first Knoops café in Rye, East Sussex, England in 2013, serving hot chocolate, milkshakes, iced chocolate and coffee.[9][1][11]
In 2019, the company received investment from William Gordon-Harris, who was appointed executive chairman.[9] Knoops began opening more stores across the UK and launched its online retail offering shortly after.[12]
Since 2020, it has opened six more locations in London including Kensington, Richmond, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Knightsbridge and Covent Garden.[4][10]
In 2021, the company opened a café and store in Brighton.[13] In March 2022, the company opened a store in Oxford, England.[14]
In 2023, it opened more stores in England including Manchester, Cambridge, Bath and St Albans.[1][15][16][17] In July, Knoops appointed William Gordon-Harris as its chief executive.[12] In November, the company raised £8.3 million of investment, with the majority coming from London department store Morleys Stores.[18][19] In December, Knoops announced a partnership with new Wonka film when it was released in cinemas in the UK.[20]
Concept
editThe concept of Knoops Chocolate is based on a menu of over 20 different chocolates to suit the preferences of customers.[1] The company produces a variety of drinking chocolate flakes and a variety of seasonal and gift products.[2] It also offers coffee, marshmallows and its own cookbook.[21]
Knoops allows experimentation with different percentages of chocolate and flavours in a process it calls ‘Knoopology’.[1][22] In this process, customers can choose the percentage of chocolate, their choice of milk and add extra natural flavors such as sea salt, orange zest or chilli, to be made into a hot chocolate, milkshake or iced chocolate.[23][22]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Campbell, Jenna (23 April 2023). "Inside the shop with over 20 types of hot chocolate and giant marshmallows". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Wood, Zoe (12 March 2022). "'People are bored with coffee': how posh hot chocolate is conquering the UK". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "The High Street shops thriving after a tough year". BBC News. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b Hunt, Simon (16 February 2023). "Knoops to open Knightsbridge store as hot chocolate firm eyes national expansion". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Graves, Kieran (18 August 2023). "New Guildford Knoops to open with 'expertly-crafted' hot chocolates". Surrey Live. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Walsh, Dominic (18 March 2024). "Knoops hot chocolate brand plans rapid expansion". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Pinchess, Lynette. "Knoops opens in Nottingham with incredible menu that's a chocoholic's dream". Nottingham Post.
- ^ "Knoops receives £6m investment to support..." The Caterer. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b c "Knoops vows to 'own' chocolate drinks..." The Caterer. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b O'Boyle, Simon Hunt, Daniel (29 July 2023). "Knoops taps French aristocrat for £6 million loan in bid to become 'new Starbucks'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Logan, Fiona (14 July 2023). "Five minutes with Jens Knoop". delicious. magazine. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b Badger2023-07-19T14:35:00+01:00, James. "Knoops appoints William Gordon-Harris as CEO after 78% growth this year". The Grocer. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "New bar selling chocolate drinks opens in Brighton (this is what's on the menu)". The Argus. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "New Knoops hot chocolate store is opening in Turl Street". Oxford Mail. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Dann, Niamh (27 March 2023). "Luxury brand hosting chocolate tasting event at Cambs hotel". Cambridgeshire Live. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ D'Albiac, Stephen (27 August 2023). "Luxury hot chocolate brand to open new store in Bath". Somerset Live. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "Meet Jens Knoop: Founder of St Albans' new chocolate shop". Herts Advertiser. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Secretary's Department - London Letters - From London (Indexed) - November 1916 (Report). Reserve Bank of Australia. 8 March 2021. doi:10.47688/rba_archives_2008/03752.
- ^ Walton, Joshua (28 November 2023). "Knoops to double estate after £8.3m investment pours in". Food Service Equipment Journal.
- ^ confectionerynews.com (20 December 2023). "Knoops strikes chocolate gold with Wonka movie tie-in". confectionerynews.com. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Collections". Knoops. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Knoopology | Craft Your Perfect Chocolate Drink". Knoops. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "'We allow people to indulge their love of chocolate'". The Argus. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.