Criollos Chocolatier

What Criollos Chocolatier does

Criollos Chocolatier is a French artisanal bean-to-bar chocolatier founded by Thomas Pontacq in late 2019 in La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The company operates two physical boutiques (a retail boutique on rue Chef de Ville in La Rochelle and a combined boutique/workshop in Aytré), a full e-commerce platform with nationwide delivery across metropolitan France via Chronofresh, and a Click & Collect service. Criollos serves individual consumers (local residents and tourists) and B2B clients through a dedicated 'Offres Entreprises' corporate gifting channel. The product range spans signature specialties (Les Pavés de La Rochelle®, Les Perles de La Rochelle), single-origin bean-to-bar tablets, bonbon coffrets (12–84 pieces), bars and spreads, pastries and biscuits, and seasonal collections such as Easter, Christmas, and Father's Day lines.

The company's core technology is its artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate production: Pontacq sources cacao from nine origins (Ecuador, Madagascar, Salvador, Mexico, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cameroon, and Bali) and controls the entire in-house process at the Aytré workshop from bean selection through roasting, conching, and tempering to finished ganaches, pralinés, tablets, and assorted sweets. All products are made without preservatives or artificial flavors, using only natural plant-based colorings. A portion of the range carries the 'Chocolatiers Engagés' ethical-sourcing label for Cameroon cocoa (farmers paid 2.5x usual price, no child labor), and an organic cacao line (e.g., Bali Kerta Semaya Samaniya 72% bio) is in development. Local French sourcing is also featured (Almonds from Les Vergers du Sud-Ouest, honey from Ruchers de Cybèle in Charron).

Revenue comes from one-time B2C retail purchases (individual items from €2.50 to premium gift sets at €38, tablets at €7.50–€10.00), B2B corporate gifting (logo-cut chocolates, bespoke pralinés), and nationwide e-commerce shipments. Pricing is per-unit across all categories. The Easter period alone accounts for approximately 20% of annual revenue, with Christmas as the second seasonal peak. Distribution is concentrated in the La Rochelle metropolitan area for physical retail and France-wide for e-commerce, with no franchising, marketplace presence, or satellite locations. The business relies primarily on earned regional media (Sud Ouest, France 3, France 5, France Bleu), a Mailchimp newsletter, and content/blog publishing rather than paid advertising. The company is registered as SARL CRIOLLOS (SIRET 853 158 939 00019) and is founder-owned with no institutional investment disclosed.

Name

Criollos Chocolatier

Legal name

SARL CRIOLLOS

Website

https://criollos.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Criollos Chocolatier is an artisanal bean-to-bar chocolatier based in La Rochelle, France, founded in 2019 by Thomas Pontacq. It produces single-origin chocolates, bonbons, and signature La Rochelle specialties from its Aytré workshop, serving consumers, tourists, and B2B corporate gifting clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

La Rochelle

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Retail Chocolate Sales (B2C): Direct sales of artisanal chocolates through 2 boutiques (La Rochelle and Aytré) and e-commerce platform, including tablets, bonbons, pralinés, ganaches, bars, spreads, pastries, and seasonal specialties. B2C is the primary revenue stream. Multiple product categories with prices ranging from €2.50 (lollipop) to €38 (gift sets). Easter period alone accounts for approximately 20% of annual revenue.
2. Corporate / B2B Chocolate Gifts: Customized corporate gifting for businesses: branded chocolate creations, elegant gift boxes, from logo-cut chocolates to bespoke pralinés. Targets business clients, partners, and collaborators for branded gifting occasions.
3. Click & Collect and Delivery: Local delivery within 15km of the La Rochelle boutique; nationwide shipment via Chronofresh for heat-sensitive products. Click & Collect available year-round.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Criollos is an artisan bean-to-bar chocolatier that hand-makes premium single-origin chocolates, signature regional specialties (Pavés de La Rochelle®, Perles de La Rochelle), boxed bonbon collections, tablets, bars, spreads and pastries daily in its Aytré workshop. It sells through two boutiques in the La Rochelle area, a full e-commerce site with nationwide delivery, and a dedicated corporate gifting channel for bespoke branded chocolate gifts.

Product overview

Criollos is an artisan chocolatier in La Rochelle, founded by Thomas Pontacq in 2019. The company produces a comprehensive range of premium artisanal chocolates from its workshop in Aytré, including signature specialty Pavés de La Rochelle, boxed chocolate collections (12-84 pieces), Bean to Bar single-origin tablets from global origins (Ecuador, Madagascar, Mexico, Indonesia, Peru, Salvador, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea), bars and spreads (Rocher, Orange, Intense, Cacahuètes, Noisettes), pastries and biscuits, various gourmet treats (orangettes, marshmallows, nougat, mendiants), and corporate gifting solutions. Products feature responsibly-sourced cacao with no preservatives or artificial flavors. The company also offers collaborative products like the FAROL x Criollos cachalot knives and Malulo illustration tablets. With 2 boutique locations, the company employs approximately 5 people and has received multiple awards including Tablette d'Or from Club des Croqueurs de Chocolats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Les Pavés de La Rochelle® The signature chocolate square (pavé) of Criollos, made with gianduja (hazelnut blended with milk chocolate), caramelized hazelnuts and fleur de sel from Île de Ré. Exclusive to Criollos, for individual consumers and gift buyers seeking a regional La Rochelle specialty.
• Tablettes Bean to Bar Single-origin dark chocolate tablets (75g) made bean-to-bar in Aytré from cacao of named origins including Ecuador, Madagascar, Mexico, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Peru and Salvador. For individual consumers seeking premium, traceable dark chocolate, plus collaborations (e.g., Malulo, Tablette Malulo up to €25).
• Coffrets Bonbons de Chocolats Boxes of hand-made chocolate bonbons (Grand Cru cacao) in sizes from 12 pieces / 100g (from €12) up to 84 pieces / 700g, plus the small "Écrin convives" gift box (€5). For individual consumers buying gifts for personal occasions, holidays or as regional souvenirs.
• Barres et Pâtes à Tartiner Chocolate bars (Barre Rocher, Barre Orange, Barre Intense Pérou, Barre Cacahuètes, Barre Noisettes, €4.20 each) and spreads (Pâte à Tartiner Chocolat, Caramel, Noisette, €7.80–€10.50). For individual consumers and gift buyers.
• Les Perles de La Rochelle Award-winning coffret of 16 demi-sphere chocolate bonbons inspired by the maritime universe of La Rochelle, with an innovative recipe and presentation. For individual consumers seeking a premium, regional gift (€20).
• Tortues Marines Gourmet box of 6 sea-turtle-shaped chocolates in milk and dark chocolate with marshmallow and praline. A solidarity product supporting marine conservation, for individual consumers and gift buyers (€20).
• Couteaux FAROL x Criollos Collaborative creation with FAROL cutlery: a set of 4 chocolate knives shaped like the iconic CachALOT whale-design knife made in La Rochelle. Combines white, milk and dark chocolate (200g net, €38). For individual consumers and gift buyers seeking a high-end regional specialty.
• Barre Orange New chocolate bar combining candied oranges, French almond paste, hazelnut praline with crepe dentelle, coated in 69% Ecuadorian dark chocolate (40g net). Launched Autumn 2024 for individual consumers.
• Offres Entreprises (Corporate Gifting Service) B2B corporate gifting service: customized chocolate gift boxes, logo-cut chocolates, bespoke pralinés and elegant coffrets to reinforce a company's brand image with clients, partners and collaborators. Targeted at businesses; quotes handled on request.
• Pistoles de Chocolat Chocolate pistoles in dark 66% or milk 42% sourced from Cameroon and labeled Chocolatier Engagé, sold to consumers for home baking and pastry use.
• Poudre de Cacao 100% pure cocoa powder made from South American beans, sold to consumers for traditional hot chocolate or pastry making.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 10 new French talent in 2021 (Award de la Maîtrise, Guide des Croqueurs de Chocolats)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FAROL (Coutellerie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration between two La Rochelle artisan houses: Criollos chocolate and FAROL cutlery. Created 'Les Couteaux en chocolat FAROL x Criollos', a set of 4 chocolate knives shaped like the iconic 'CachALOT' whale-design knife. FAROL was founded in 1996 by Sylvain Berthommé in La Rochelle and holds the 'Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant' (Living Heritage Company) label. The product embodies maritime spirit combined with chocolate indulgence.
• Malulo (Illustrator)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Creative collaboration with La Rochelle-based illustrator Malulo on the 'Mademoiselle Chocolat La Rochelle' specialty tablet. Features praliné noisette croustillant, caramel vanilla, and caramelized hazelnuts. The illustration and packaging tell a Rochelaise story. Quote: 'Quand Thomas m'a sollicité pour collaborer avec lui sur une de ses créations, tous les ingrédients étaient réunis pour raconter une nouvelle belle histoire rochelaise.'
• Ruchers de Cybèle (Beekeeper - Charron)minorOthersLocal beekeeper based in Charron, Charente-Maritime. Supplier of Miel de Forêt (forest honey) used in the Nougat product. Represents commitment to local, regional sourcing.
• Les Vergers du Sud-Ouest (Almond producer - Lot-et-Garonne)minorOthersRegional French almond supplier in Lot-et-Garonne providing caramelized almonds used in 'Demoiselles Amandes' and other products. Supports the company's commitment to French regional sourcing.
• Axepta BNP ParibascoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partnership providing the Axepta online payment solution (by BNP Paribas) for secure e-commerce transactions. Supports 3D Secure v2 authentication, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and card payments. Bank-level SSL/TLS encryption. Integrated directly into the online store.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Weiss Chocolatier: Historic French chocolatier based in Saint-Étienne with single-origin tablets, spreads and pastries. Comparable as a French regional chocolatier combining bean-to-bar craft with a souvenir and gift-driven retail model.

Direct peers

• Patrick Roger: Acclaimed French artisan chocolatier with a boutique network, signature collections, and strong industry awards. Comparable as a high-end French chocolatier competing for the same premium gifting and tourism-driven customer.
• Bonnat Chocolatier: Historic French bean-to-bar chocolatier (Voiron) with single-origin tablets and a flagship boutique. Comparable as a regional French bean-to-bar specialist that combines artisanal production with a recognizable house brand.
• Hugo & Victor: French high-end chocolatier-pâtissier with boutiques, gift collections, and single-origin bars. Comparable as a French artisan chocolatier offering premium gift boxes and tablet ranges aimed at gourmet consumers and corporate clients.
• Alain Ducasse Chocolat: High-end French chocolatier associated with chef Alain Ducasse, focused on single-origin grand cru chocolate. Comparable as a premium-positioned French chocolatier with curated single-origin tablets and gift collections.
• Pierre Marcolini: Belgian-French high-end chocolatier with single-origin grand cru tablets, boutiques and strong brand prestige. Comparable as a bean-to-bar premium chocolatier competing for the same gourmet gift buyer segment.
• Pralus: French family-run bean-to-bar chocolatier with single-origin tablets, boutique network and nationwide distribution. Closely comparable operating model to Criollos, including single-origin sourcing, branded squares, and B2C/B2B channels.

Broad incumbents

• Valrhona: French heritage fine cacao producer and brand with broad B2B and consumer reach. Comparable because it sets the bar for single-origin French chocolate expertise and premium positioning that Criollos also targets at the artisan end.
• Debauve & Gallais: Historic Parisian chocolatier (supplier to French royalty) with boutiques and prestige positioning. Comparable as a long-standing French chocolatier trading on heritage and premium gift assortments in the same competitive set.

Emerging players

• Menakao: Madagascar-based bean-to-bar chocolate maker with single-origin bars and online international distribution. Comparable as a craft single-origin chocolate brand that Criollos overlaps with in cacao-origin storytelling and tablet format.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/criollos-chocolatier

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Criollos Chocolatier