Swiss chocolate factory in Fribourg – from the cocoa bean to the bar since 1901
Villars Maître Chocolatier SA
Fribourg (Headquarters/Factory) · Fribourg (Boutique Café Villars)New on Amplifa
About Villars Maître Chocolatier
Villars Maître Chocolatier SA is a chocolate factory founded in 1901 in Fribourg, Switzerland. The company produces bar chocolate, pralines and specialities using traditional craftsmanship – including milk chocolates, bars with a high nut and almond content, 72% chocolate, Napolitains and Switzerland's first chocolate bar filled with liqueur. The entire production takes place at the Fribourg site, from the roasting of the cocoa beans to the finished bar ("de la fève à la tablette"); since 1935, a coffee roastery has also been part of the operation. According to its own declaration, Villars processes 100% Swiss milk (including terroir milk from Vaud, Fribourg, Bern and Lucerne), 100% Swiss sugar and 100% Swiss alcohol; since 2009, products with the sugar substitute stevia have also been offered. The company is a member of Chocosuisse, exports to more than 60 countries and employed around 210 staff in 2021. The factory building on the Pérolles plateau, in continuous use since 1901, is listed among the cultural assets of national significance.
- Site
- Fribourg
- Processes
- Roasting of cocoa beans in Switzerland, Chocolate manufacturing (from the bean to the bar), Coffee roasting, Production of liqueur-filled chocolates, Guided tours/visits of the Chocolaterie (Jeu Ticket d'Or), Cooking workshops (planned from 2023), Boutique & Café
- Materials
- Roasted cocoa beans, Milk from Swiss pastures (100% Swiss milk), Swiss sugar, Stevia (sugar substitute), Coffee beans (Mocca Spécial), Dark chocolate 72% cocoa, Terroir milk (Vaud, Fribourg, Bern, Lucerne), Liqueur (filled chocolate)
- Certificates
- Swissness (Chocosuisse member, at least 80% Swiss ingredients)
- Founded
- 1901
- Employees
- 210
- Industries
- Chocolate manufacturing, Food/Gourmet, Tourism (sales to tourists)
- 01
Roasting of the cocoa beans in Switzerland
- 02
Refining with Swiss milk, sugar and alcohol
- 03
Chocolate manufacturing (de la fève à la tablette)
- 04
Filling (e.g. liqueur pralines)
- 05
Coffee roasting (Mocca Spécial)
- 06
Sale via boutiques and export
Ingredients & Processes
Cocoa beans (roasted in Switzerland)
The basis of all chocolate production, from the bean to the bar.
Swiss pasture milk (100% Switzerland)
Emblematic ingredient; terroir milk from Vaud, Fribourg, Bern and Lucerne.
Swiss sugar
100% Swiss origin according to the company's own declaration.
Stevia (sugar substitute)
Used in products as a sugar alternative since 2009.
Swiss liqueur
Filling of the liqueur chocolate bars offered since 1935.
Dark chocolate 72% cocoa
Base for Napolitains and other bitter specialities.
Coffee beans (Mocca Spécial)
Roasted in the company's own roastery since 1935.
Sites
Fribourg – Headquarters / Factory
CHHeadquarters and chocolate factory (Route de la Fonderie 18, 1701 Fribourg)
- Materials
- Cocoa beans, Swiss milk, Swiss sugar
Fribourg – Boutique Café Villars
CHHistoric retail shop with café (Route de la Fonderie 2, 1700 Fribourg)
Fribourg – La Fabrik
CHExperience boutique (Route du Cousimbert, opened December 2022, permanently closed as of 2026)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roasting of cocoa beans in SwitzerlandHeat treatment | – | – | – | – | Cocoa beans |
| Chocolate manufacturing (from the bean to the bar)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Swiss milk, Swiss sugar, Cocoa beans, Swiss alcohol, Stevia |
| Coffee roastingHeat treatment | – | – | – | – | Coffee beans (Mocca Spécial) |
| Production of liqueur-filled chocolatesPlastics | – | – | – | – | Chocolate, Liqueur |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
Chocolat Villars is a member of Chocosuisse and meets the Swissness requirements (since 2017 at least 80% Swiss ingredients and Swiss processing); according to its own declaration, 100% Swiss milk, sugar and alcohol are processed.
| Evidence | Fribourg – Headquarters / Factory |
|---|---|
| Swissness (Chocosuisse member, at least 80% Swiss ingredients) |
History
- 1901
Foundation of the chocolate factory on 22 May 1901 by Wilhelm Kaiser on the Pérolles plateau (then Villars-sur-Glâne, today Fribourg); the factory building has been in continuous use ever since.
- 1904
The company receives the name Villars AG.
- 1915
First employer in Switzerland to grant its 131 workers two weeks of paid holiday; court supplier to royal houses.
- 1935
Death of the founder Wilhelm Kaiser; a coffee roastery added; launch of the first chocolate bar filled with liqueur.
- 1969
After the death of Olivier Kaiser, takeover by his trustee, renaming to Villars Holding.
- 1985
Villars Holding sells the chocolate production to Cremo SA.
- 1995
Takeover by Soparind Bongrain (since 2015 Savencia); membership of the Savencia Gourmet subgroup.
- 2009
Introduction of products with the sugar substitute stevia.
- 2018
Stephan Buchser succeeds Jean-Pierre Geneslay as head of the company (April).
- 2021
120th anniversary with a mural by Serge Nidegger (Serge Lowrider); 210 employees at the Fribourg site.
- 2022
Opening of the experience shop "La Fabrik" near the headquarters (December).