Ritter Sport, the family-owned German chocolate brand, has officially opened its new UK headquarters in Leeds, marking a significant milestone in its expansion journey. The move underscores the company’s commitment to the UK market following years of sustained growth, driven by strategic initiatives and continued investment.
In true Ritter Sport style, the celebration was led by Don Choco, the brand’s beloved mascot, who rolled out the red carpet to welcome the Ritter team, customers, and suppliers. Attendees explored the state-of-the-art facilities, met Don Choco, and sampled Ritter Sport’s latest chocolate innovations, including the new DUO range and the ever-popular Pistachio flavour.
Designed to enhance collaboration and connectivity, the new headquarters features an open-plan layout, conference areas, breakout pods, and multiple meeting rooms. A highlight is the temperature-controlled storage space, ensuring Ritter’s premium chocolates remain in perfect condition.
The expansion follows a string of successes for Ritter Sport in the UK, including increased category value with major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons, Asda, and Tesco. Since its establishment in 2014, the UK arm has grown its revenue twentyfold under the leadership of Managing Director Benedict Daniels.
Reflecting on the momentous occasion, Benedict said: “Opening this incredible new space is a proud moment for us all. It reflects our commitment to the UK market and our ambition to continue growing here. With a talented team, exciting product innovations, and the full backing of the Ritter family, I am convinced we will continue our success into 2025 and beyond.”
Benedict has played a key role in transforming Ritter Sport’s UK operations, shifting from a distributor-led model to directly managing all sales channels. This strategic pivot has been crucial to the brand’s continued expansion, supported by the Ritter family’s unwavering investment.
Beyond business growth, Ritter Sport UK has cultivated a strong community presence, with its team actively fundraising for local causes such as children’s hospitals, hospices, and food banks. From participating in the Leeds 10K to conquering the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, their charitable initiatives reflect the company’s deep-rooted values.
With innovation, sustainability, and a passion for chocolate at its core, Ritter Sport UK’s new headquarters marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, paving the way for even greater success in the years ahead.
