Bendicks
British chocolate brand best known for its dark-chocolate Bittermints.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Bendicks is a British chocolate and confectionery brand associated most closely with Bittermints, a combination of strongly flavoured mint fondant and very dark chocolate. The brand originated in 1930, when Oscar Benson and Colonel Bertie Dickson acquired a small confectionery business at 164 Church Street in Kensington, London. The name Bendicks was formed from the first syllables of their surnames. Production initially took place in a small basement beneath the shop. The product that established Bendicks' identity was developed in 1931. Lucia Benson, Oscar Benson's sister-in-law, created a dark chocolate coating with an unusually high cocoa content and paired it with an intensely mint-flavoured fondant. Each component was considered too strong to be especially appealing by itself, but their combination produced the distinctive Bittermint. The chocolate coating is described as containing 95% cocoa solids, giving the product a notably bitter profile compared with conventional milk-chocolate confectionery. During the 1930s, Bendicks developed a reputation for quality and opened a Mayfair store. The Mayfair association became central to the brand's identity, and the business was subsequently known as Bendicks of Mayfair. The store attracted prominent visitors, including the Duke of Kent. Bendicks positioned itself as a refined British chocolatier, selling boxed confectionery and gift products rather than competing primarily as a mass-market everyday chocolate brand. Ownership and manufacturing changed over the following decades. The business was sold to Edgar Lawley in 1946 and moved to Winchester, Hampshire, by 1952. It had also absorbed William Cox & Son, whose Royal Winchester Chocolates name was later discontinued. In 1962, Bendicks received a Royal Warrant appointment associated with Queen Elizabeth II. At this stage, much of its chocolate-coated confectionery was hand-dipped, producing a thick chocolate layer but constraining output because of the labour required. The range included nougat, chocolate bars and other confectionery, while Bittermints were sold in unusually long boxes, including nine-inch, 18-inch and 36-inch formats. A purpose-built factory opened on Moorside Road in Winchester in 1967. The introduction of enrobing equipment later enabled more industrial-scale production. During the 1960s, Bendicks also operated several prestigious London retail locations, some combined with restaurants. Its shops sold confectionery in presentation containers made from fine china, including Wedgwood and Doulton pieces, reinforcing its gifting and luxury positioning. The company was acquired by Wood Hall Trust and later became part of Elders IXL. Nabisco Brands purchased Bendicks in 1983, after which the brand was managed within Nabisco's biscuit division. Since 1988, Bendicks has been owned by German confectionery group August Storck KG. Storck introduced the Mingles selection box in 2002 as an attempt to broaden the brand beyond its established mint-chocolate identity, but the product was ultimately unsuccessful. In 2011, Storck announced that chocolate production would move from the Winchester factory to Germany, citing weak market conditions and insufficient profitability at the English plant. The decision resulted in the loss of 84 manufacturing jobs, while 30 marketing and sales positions were retained at Winchester at the time. Bendicks therefore remained a British-origin brand with a strong English heritage, although its manufacturing base was no longer in the United Kingdom. Bendicks continues to be identified with premium, intensely flavoured dark-mint confectionery and with the historical image expressed by the phrase 'Bendicks of Mayfair.' Bittermints remain the brand's signature offering and are still associated with the original 1931 recipe. In 2023 and 2024, the company also faced a temporary dispute over its kosher certification. Bendicks initially announced that it would end certification by the London…
History
Bendicks began in 1930 when Oscar Benson and Colonel Bertie Dickson bought a small confectionery business at 164 Church Street in Kensington, London. Manufacturing took place in a basement below the shop, and the founders created the Bendicks name by combining the opening syllables of their surnames. In 1931, Lucia Benson developed the confectionery that became the brand's defining product. She paired a highly bitter dark-chocolate coating with a mint fondant containing a strong concentration of mint oil. Although each component was unusually intense on its own, the combination created Bendicks Bittermints. The coating is described as containing 95% cocoa solids. This product gave Bendicks a distinctive flavour profile and became the foundation of its reputation. The business expanded its prestige during the 1930s. A Mayfair shop opened in 1933, and the company became associated with the name Bendicks of Mayfair. Among the shop's visitors was the Duke of Kent. The brand's early retail strategy emphasised quality, presentation and luxury gifting, including confectionery sold in decorative containers. The business changed hands in 1946, when it was acquired by Edgar Lawley. By 1952, operations had moved to Winchester, Hampshire. Bendicks also acquired William Cox & Son, maker of Royal Winchester Chocolates, although the Royal Winchester name was later abandoned. In 1962, the company received a Royal Warrant appointment connected with Queen Elizabeth II, strengthening its association with British institutional and royal prestige. Production during this period relied heavily on hand dipping. The method produced a thick chocolate coating but restricted the rate at which products could be made and depended on the availability of skilled female dippers. Bittermints were offered in several long-box formats, including nine-inch, 18-inch and 36-inch boxes. The company also made other chocolate confectionery, nougat and chocolate bars. In 1967, Bendicks moved into a purpose-built factory on Moorside Road in Winchester. Enrobing machinery was subsequently introduced, allowing chocolate-coated products to be produced in greater volume. During the 1960s, the business also operated several London outlets in high-profile locations such as Wigmore Street, Sloane Street, Bond Street, Throgmorton Street and Curzon Street. Some outlets incorporated restaurants. The shops sold confectionery in fine-china containers, including Wedgwood and Doulton pieces, which customers could retain or bring back for refilling. Bendicks became part of Wood Hall Trust and later Elders IXL. Nabisco Brands acquired the company in 1983, and the brand was managed within Nabisco Group's biscuit division. August Storck KG, the German confectionery company, acquired Bendicks in 1988. Storck later attempted to extend the brand with Mingles, a boxed chocolate assortment introduced in 2002. Mingles did not achieve lasting success. In April 2011, Storck announced that Bendicks chocolate manufacturing would be transferred from Winchester to Germany. The company cited economic conditions, a weak chocolate market and the lack of profitability at the English plant. The plan eliminated 84 factory jobs, although 30 marketing and sales roles were expected to continue at the Winchester location. This marked the end of Bendicks' production in the factory that had represented its manufacturing base since the 1960s. Bendicks remains an active Storck-owned brand with a British heritage identity. Its Bittermints continue to anchor the portfolio and are associated with the original 1931 formulation. The brand's more recent public history includes a dispute over kosher certification. In December 2023, Bendicks announced that it would stop certification by the London Beth Din, leading to criticism and concern among Jewish consumers. The company clarified that it did not intend to change ingredients but could not initially commit to the production procedures required for certification. After further consultation, Bendicks and the London Beth Din announced in May 2024 that kosher certification would continue.
- 2024
Kosher certification is retained
[1]After consultation following the 2023 certification announcement, Bendicks and the London Beth Din confirmed that kosher certification would continue.
- 2011
Chocolate production moves to Germany
[1]Storck announced the closure of Bendicks manufacturing in Hampshire and the transfer of production to Germany.
- 2002
Mingles is introduced
[1]Storck introduced Mingles, a selection box intended to diversify the Bendicks range; the product was ultimately unsuccessful.
- 1988
Bendicks becomes part of Storck
[1]August Storck KG acquired Bendicks, beginning its current ownership period.
- 1983
Nabisco Brands acquires Bendicks
[1]Bendicks was purchased by Nabisco Brands and managed within Nabisco's biscuit division.
- 1967
Purpose-built Winchester factory opens
[1]The company moved production to a purpose-built factory on Moorside Road in Winchester.
- 1962
Royal Warrant received
[1]Bendicks received a Royal Warrant appointment associated with Queen Elizabeth II.
- 1952
Operations move to Winchester
[1]Bendicks moved to premises in Winchester, Hampshire, and had acquired William Cox & Son, maker of Royal Winchester Chocolates.
- 1946
Business sold to Edgar Lawley
[1]Edgar Lawley acquired the Bendicks business.
- 1933
Mayfair store opens
[1]Bendicks opened a store in Mayfair and became associated with the name Bendicks of Mayfair.
Products and positioning
A heritage British chocolate brand positioned around premium gifting, strong dark-chocolate flavour, mint confectionery and the historical prestige of Mayfair. Its identity is more distinctive and traditional than mass-market chocolate brands, with Bittermints serving as the core signature product.
Dark chocolate mint confectionery · 1931
Bendicks Bittermints
Bendicks' signature product consists of a strongly flavoured mint fondant enclosed in a very dark chocolate shell. Developed in 1931, it was designed around the contrast between intense mint and pronounced chocolate bitterness. The coating is described as containing 95% cocoa solids. Bittermints have remained the central expression of the brand's heritage and are sold as boxed confectionery associated with premium gifting and traditional British chocolate retail.
Chocolate selection box · 2002
Mingles
Mingles was a boxed assortment introduced in 2002 as an effort to broaden Bendicks beyond its established Bittermints identity. The product represented a move toward a more varied selection-box format, but it did not become a lasting part of the portfolio and was ultimately unsuccessful.
Chocolate-coated confectionery
Bendicks chocolate confectionery
Bendicks historically produced a wider range of chocolate-coated sweets in addition to Bittermints. Products were initially hand-dipped, creating a relatively thick chocolate layer, before enrobing equipment was introduced to increase production capacity. The wider range also included chocolate bars and other boxed confectionery, although Bittermints remained the best-known line.
Nougat confectionery
Bendicks nougat
Nougat was among the confectionery products made by Bendicks during its historical manufacturing period. It formed part of the broader portfolio that accompanied the brand's chocolate-coated products and premium boxed sweets.
Brand decisions
2024
Continuation of kosher certificationOtherBackground
Bendicks and the London Beth Din conducted further consultation after the planned withdrawal announced in 2023.
Action taken
The parties announced that Bendicks would remain kosher-certified.
Aftermath
The announcement addressed the previous consumer concern and preserved certification for the brand's products.
2023
Planned withdrawal from kosher certificationOtherBackground
Bendicks stated that it could not commit to the production process required to maintain certification by the London Beth Din.
Action taken
The company announced that it would cease its kosher certification and later clarified that no ingredient change was planned.
Aftermath
Concern from the Jewish community led to further consultation, culminating in the continuation of certification in 2024.
2011
Transfer of chocolate production to GermanyStrategyBackground
Storck cited a weak chocolate market, economic pressures and insufficient profitability at the Winchester factory.
Action taken
Storck announced that chocolate production would move from Hampshire to Germany, resulting in the loss of 84 factory jobs while 30 marketing and sales roles were expected to remain at Winchester.
Aftermath
Bendicks retained its British heritage positioning, but production ended at the Winchester facility that had served as its manufacturing base since 1967.
2002
Launch of MinglesProduct launchBackground
Storck sought to diversify Bendicks' established mint-chocolate offering with a selection box aimed at a broader chocolate audience.
Action taken
Bendicks introduced Mingles as an assortment of chocolates.
Aftermath
The product was ultimately unsuccessful and did not become a durable part of the brand portfolio.
Recent events
- 2024
Bendicks retained kosher certification after consultation[1]
Other
Following concern from members of the Jewish community and further consultation, Bendicks and the London Beth Din announced that the brand would remain kosher-certified.
- 2023
Bendicks announced the planned end of its kosher certification[1]
Other
Bendicks stated that it would cease kosher certification provided by the London Beth Din. The company said that the decision concerned its ability to meet the required production process rather than a planned ingredient change.
- 2011
Storck announced the transfer of Bendicks chocolate production from Hampshire to Germany[1]
Other
August Storck announced that production would leave the Winchester factory because of weak market conditions and inadequate profitability. The plan involved 84 job losses, while 30 marketing and sales roles were expected to remain at the Winchester site.
Sources1 sources
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