Fran's Chocolates

Fran's Chocolates is a Seattle-based artisanal chocolate confectionery company founded in 1982 by Fran Bigelow, widely recognized as a pioneer of the American artisanal chocolate movement. What began as Fran's Patisserie and Chocolate Specialties in Seattle's Madison Valley has grown over four decades into one of the most acclaimed fine chocolate brands in the United States. The company operates a production facility in Seattle's historic Georgetown neighborhood, housed in a LEED Platinum-certified building within the original Rainier Brewery, where all confections are handmade by a dedicated team of chocolatiers.

The product line centers on premium chocolate confections, including rich chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and the iconic salted caramels — most notably the Gray Salt Caramel and Smoked Salt Caramel, both of which have won the NASFT Outstanding Confection Award. Additional signature offerings include Gold Bars in flavors such as Almond and Coconut, Pure Bars, and limited-edition seasonal and collaborative collections. The company has partnered with notable brands and retailers, including early distribution through Starbucks and Williams Sonoma, and more recently a collaboration with animation studio LAIKA.

Fran Bigelow has been named the best overall chocolatier in the United States by The Book of Chocolate and recognized as Outstanding Fine Chocolatier — North America by the Fine Chocolate Industry Association. She has been inducted into the Specialty Food Association Hall of Fame and was a finalist for the James Beard Award for her cookbook Pure Chocolate. The brand has been featured in major national and international media outlets including The New York Times, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart Living, Vogue Japan, and The Food Network.

Ingredients are sourced through transparent, long-term supplier relationships, and a significant portion of the product line carries both Organic and Fairtrade certifications, reflecting the company's commitment to ethical sourcing standards. The business remains family-operated, with founder Fran Bigelow's daughter Andrina serving as CEO and son Dylan as Director of Chocolate. In addition to its Seattle production and retail operations, the brand expanded internationally with a Kyoto, Japan storefront opened in 2019 in partnership with BAL. Fran's Chocolates serves both direct-to-consumer retail channels and specialty food wholesale accounts.