Clasen Quality Chocolate
Clasen Quality Chocolate is a family-owned B2B wholesale manufacturer of real chocolate and confectionery coatings, serving food manufacturers and retailers across North America from five Wisconsin and Nevada facilities with private label, custom formulation, and distribution capabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersMadison, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Clasen Quality Chocolate does
Clasen Quality Chocolate (CQC) is a privately held, family-owned B2B wholesale manufacturer of real chocolate and confectionery coatings, founded in 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin by German immigrant Clasen brothers as a European bakery and pivoted into coatings and chocolate production through subsequent decades. The company produces a diversified portfolio of industrial chocolate and confectionery coating lines (Classic Chocolate, Alpine, Majestic, Satin, Atlas, Simply Natural, and allergen-free Simply Free), plus ice cream coatings, fillings, and custom formulations developed by an in-house Innovation Team with 80+ years of combined R&D experience. Manufacturing is conducted across five facilities — Madison (corporate headquarters), Middleton (R&D lab opened shortly after 1998), Watertown WI (2007), Spanish Springs NV (2018) for West Coast service, and Milton WI (2023) with rail access — with bulk liquid logistics handled by wholly-owned subsidiary Clasen Quality Cartage.
CQC serves two primary customer segments: industrial food manufacturers (for ice cream coatings, confectionery coatings, bakery inclusions, and custom formulations) and retailers/private label buyers (for morsels and chunks, candy wafers, baking and candy bars, and Almond Bark candy coatings). Distribution is omnichannel: direct sales to large buyers with high minimum order quantities, supplemented by a network of nine regional distributors across the US and Canada for smaller order volumes. Revenue is generated through one-time wholesale purchases of branded and private label products plus professional-services revenue tied to custom formulation development.
The company has remained family-owned since Jay Jensen acquired it from Ralph Clasen in 1998, and has executed a continuous capital expansion program (Watertown 2007, Madison HQ and Innovation Center 2008, Standard of Identity chocolate capability 2009, Cartage subsidiary 2010, Spanish Springs 2018, Milton 2023). Recent strategic emphasis is on supply chain digitization, evidenced by a 2026 investment in Beacon's AI-powered supply chain platform for global cocoa shipment visibility. CQC participates in the World Cocoa Foundation Cocoa & Forests Initiative with 100% polygon-mapped farm sourcing and full traceability, and all products are gluten-free.
Clasen Quality Chocolate firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clasen Quality Chocolate
- Legal name
- Clasen Quality Chocolate, Inc.
- Website
- https://cqc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Clasen Quality Chocolate is a family-owned B2B wholesale manufacturer of real chocolate and confectionery coatings, serving food manufacturers and retailers across North America from five Wisconsin and Nevada facilities with private label, custom formulation, and distribution capabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clasen Quality Chocolate industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing (31135), Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans (311351)
- SIC
- Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Confectionery Manufacturing (Chocolate, Candy, Gum) (AFAKAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Label & Contract Bakery Wholesale (AFAIAFAK), Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery (CRADABAA)
Keywords
Where Clasen Quality Chocolate is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madison
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Clasen Quality Chocolate business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Chocolate and Confectionery Coatings Sales: Wholesale B2B manufacturer selling chocolate, confectionery coatings, and fillings to food manufacturers and retailers. Products include real chocolate, premium coatings, ice cream coatings, candy wafers, and private label options. Sells direct with large minimum orders or through distributor network for smaller quantities.
- Custom Formulation Services: Innovation team provides custom formulation development services for customers seeking unique flavor, color, texture, nutritional, and performance enhancements in their products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Direct Purchase - Large Quantities |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Distributor Purchase - Smaller Quantities |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Clasen Quality Chocolate product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wholesale B2B manufacturer of real chocolate, premium confectionery coatings, ice cream coatings, candy wafers, fillings, and private label chocolate products sold to food manufacturers and retailers. The company also offers custom formulation development services through its Innovation Team to meet unique customer specifications for flavor, color, texture, nutrition, and performance. Sales are conducted directly with large minimum order quantities or through a distributor network for smaller buyers across the US and Canada.
Product overview
Clasen Quality Chocolate (CQC) is a wholesale manufacturer of chocolate and confectionery ingredients offering a diversified portfolio of industrial and retail products. The industrial segment serves food manufacturers with standard coating products including Classic Chocolate (requiring tempering), Alpine Coatings, Majestic Coatings, Simply Natural Coatings, Satin Coatings, Simply Free (allergen-free) Coatings, and Atlas Coatings - each with specific melt points and viscosity characteristics for various applications. CQC also provides custom formulation services through its Innovation Team for specialized customer needs. The retail/private label segment offers morsels and chunks, candy wafers, baking and candy bars, and candy coatings under the Almond Bark brand. All CQC products are gluten-free, with facilities handling allergens including milk, peanut, almond, and soy lecithin.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Classic Chocolate: High quality, real chocolate available in milk, white, and dark chocolate with viscosity 37.0-40.0. Requires tempering.
- Alpine Coatings
- Majestic Coatings
- Simply Free Chocolate
- Simply Natural Coatings
- Satin Coatings
- Simply Free Coatings
- Atlas Coatings
Products and services
- Classic Chocolate High quality real chocolate requiring tempering, available in milk, white, and dark varieties with viscosity of 37.0-40.0, sold to food manufacturers as an industrial chocolate ingredient.
- Alpine Coatings Confectionery coating that does not require tempering, available in milk, white, dark, yogurt, and peanut varieties with melt point of 92F and viscosity of 23.5-26.5, supplied to food manufacturers.
- Majestic Coatings Confectionery coating available in milk, white, dark, yogurt, peanut, and caramel varieties with melt point of 95F and viscosity of 23.0-26.0, sold to food manufacturers.
- Simply Free Chocolate Allergen-free chocolate available in semisweet variety for manufacturers with specific dietary requirements, offered as an industrial chocolate ingredient.
- Simply Natural Coatings Confectionery coating available in milk, dark, yogurt, white, peanut, and caramel varieties with melt point of 91F, sold to food manufacturers.
- Satin Coatings Premium confectionery coating available in milk, dark, yogurt, and Greek yogurt varieties, supplied to food manufacturers.
- Simply Free Coatings Allergen-free confectionery coating available in dark and white varieties, offered as an industrial coating ingredient for manufacturers.
- Atlas Coatings Confectionery coating available in milk, white, dark, peanut, and creamy peanut varieties with melt point of 102F and variable viscosity, sold to food manufacturers.
- Custom Formulations Custom chocolate and confectionery coating formulation development services provided through CQC's Innovation Team for customers with unique flavor, color, texture, nutritional, novelty, and performance requirements.
- Morsels & Chunks Private label chocolate morsels and chunks available in a wide range of flavors and sizes with several package formats and display options, supplied to retailers for resale.
- Candy Wafers Confectionery wafers available in a wide range of flavors and unlimited colors with consistent performance, supplied to retailers for resale.
- Baking & Candy Bars Chocolate baking and candy bars produced for retail and private label applications, sold to retailers.
- Candy Coating (Almond Bark) Candy coatings sold to retailers in 16, 20, or 24 oz sizes with plastic or metallized film packaging and an optional microwavable tray under the Almond Bark brand.
- Ice Cream Coatings, Fillings & More Complete line of ice cream coatings and fillings ranging from cone dip to soft chunks and 10M drops, including non-dairy options, sold to ice cream manufacturers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Double-digit annual growth rate
Companies that use Clasen Quality Chocolate
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Clasen Quality Chocolate technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Clasen Quality Chocolate partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BeaconcoreCQC invested in Beacon's AI-powered supply chain software to manage global cocoa operations, replacing manual carrier portal access and spreadsheet re-entry. The system consolidates container and ETA information into a single workspace, providing sourcing, supply chain, production, and finance teams a shared live view of shipments across Asia-Pacific and Atlantic import routes.
- World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)coreCQC partners with WCF on the Cocoa & Forests Initiative to address economic, environmental, and social challenges in cocoa-producing communities. Activities include paying premiums to farmers, training in best practices, sourcing from polygon-mapped farms with full traceability, and implementing child labor monitoring systems.
- Andea ChocolateminorCanadian distributor located in Ancaster, Ontario. One of nine distributors across the US and Canada selling CQC products.
- Capitol Food CompanyminorNationwide distribution partner with multiple locations. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
- Dutch Valley Food DistributionminorRegional distributor located in Myerstown, PA. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
- IFI GourmetminorRegional distributor located in Gurnee, IL. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
- Linnea's Candy & Cake SuppliesminorDistributor with locations in Kent, OH and San Bernardino, CA. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
- Stover and CompanyminorRegional distributor located in Cheswick, PA. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
- Weaver Nut CompanyminorRegional distributor located in Lebanon, PA. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
- WebstaurantStoreminorDistributor located in Lititz, PA. One of nine distributors selling CQC products.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Clasen Quality Chocolate competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
Direct peers
- Blommer Chocolate Company: One of North America's largest B2B chocolate and cocoa product manufacturers, serving confectionery, dairy, and bakery customers. Directly comparable to CQC in industrial chocolate and compound coating manufacturing for food industry customers.
- Guittard Chocolate Company: Family-owned, fifth-generation premium chocolate maker supplying both retail and industrial/foodservice customers with couverture chocolate, coatings, and baking products. Closely comparable to CQC in B2B premium chocolate and coatings for manufacturers and bakeries.
- Valrhona: Premium French couverture chocolate maker serving pastry chefs, bakeries, and food manufacturers. Comparable to CQC's premium coating and Standard of Identity chocolate offering with a focus on craft and professional channels.
- Merckens Chocolate (Cargill): Specialty chocolate coatings brand owned by Cargill, focused on confectionery coatings for baking and candy manufacturing. Closely comparable to CQC's Alpine, Majestic, and Atlas coating lines serving industrial and bakery customers.
Broad incumbents
- Barry Callebaut: World's largest chocolate and cocoa manufacturer supplying the full food industry with industrial chocolate, decorations, and fillings. Sets the competitive ceiling for B2B chocolate ingredient manufacturers like CQC and represents the primary global incumbent.
- Hershey Company: Largest North American chocolate manufacturer with growing industrial and ingredient capabilities in addition to its branded portfolio. Competes with CQC in industrial chocolate supply, particularly for US food manufacturers.
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Company: Major US chocolate manufacturer with both branded retail products and food service / industrial ingredients. Comparable to CQC across retail private label, baking products, and industrial chocolate applications.
- Fuji Oil Holdings (incl. Blommer): Japanese specialty oils and fats company that acquired Blommer Chocolate in 2019, giving it a major US B2B chocolate platform. Competes with CQC as a global specialty fats and chocolate manufacturer with industrial scale.
Regional players
- Cacao Noel (Cémoi): European-based chocolate manufacturer with B2B industrial chocolate and coatings offerings. Comparable to CQC in industrial chocolate manufacturing and coating technology, though primarily serving EMEA rather than North America.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Clasen Quality Chocolate social profiles
Digital presenceClasen Quality Chocolate financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clasen Quality Chocolate leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Clasen Quality Chocolate subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Clasen Quality Chocolate funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clasen Quality Chocolate M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clasen Quality Chocolate
What does Clasen Quality Chocolate do?
Wholesale B2B manufacturer of real chocolate, premium confectionery coatings, ice cream coatings, candy wafers, fillings, and private label chocolate products sold to food manufacturers and retailers. The company also offers custom formulation development services through its Innovation Team to meet unique customer specifications for flavor, color, texture, nutrition, and performance. Sales are conducted directly with large minimum order quantities or through a distributor network for smaller buyers across the US and Canada.
Is Clasen Quality Chocolate a public or private company?
Clasen Quality Chocolate is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Clasen Quality Chocolate founded?
Clasen Quality Chocolate was founded in 1959. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Clasen Quality Chocolate based?
Clasen Quality Chocolate is headquartered in Madison, United States, in the North America region.
How does Clasen Quality Chocolate make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Chocolate and Confectionery Coatings Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Formulation Services.
Who are Clasen Quality Chocolate's main competitors?
Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate is listed as an others. Direct peers are Blommer Chocolate Company, Guittard Chocolate Company, Valrhona and Merckens Chocolate (Cargill). Broad incumbents are Barry Callebaut, Hershey Company, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and Fuji Oil Holdings (incl. Blommer). Cacao Noel (Cémoi) is listed as a regional player.
Does Clasen Quality Chocolate have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clasen Quality Chocolate.
What industry is Clasen Quality Chocolate in?
Clasen Quality Chocolate's product category is Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAAAD, Confectionery Manufacturing (Chocolate, Candy, Gum), with a secondary code of AFAIAFAK, Private Label & Contract Bakery Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 31135 and its SIC code is 2060.