The New York state-based chocolate company will showcase the new packaging at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City later this month.
Barkeater was founded in 2008 with a gourmet truffles line that were sold primarily on its website and at farmers’ markets. The company later started manufacturing Barkeater chocolate bars and peanut butter cups in 2010.
“In 2013, we purchased a larger production facility, which allowed us to open a factory store as well,” co-founder of Barkeater, Deb Morris, told ConfectioneryNews. “Today, we have a line of all-natural, gluten free & non-GMO bars, peanut butter cups, caramels, bark, and truffles.”
Rebranding to support the latest quinoa chocolate bar
Barkeater offers six chocolate bar varieties, including Downhill Darksider with sea salt, Beantown Bold with ground espresso, Citrus Surprise with orange, Black Bear with black raspberry and black pepper, and Cherry Chic.
Quinoa Ka-Pow, which features 63% dark chocolate and raw quinoa, is Barkeater’s newest product in the chocolate bar range after the company’s rebranding. All the chocolate bars are sold for $2.99 each, and they are available in approximately 150 retailers in the US, including Price Chopper.
“[The rebranding] also allowed us to introduce our sixth bar, Quinoa Ka-Pow, because we have averaged an additional bar each year. It became very important to give each one their own identity,” Morris said.
Aiming for a 25% sales increase
Most of Barkeater’s distribution channels are based out of New York State with some retailers in New England, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, said Morris.
As a four-time exhibitor at the Summer Fancy Food Show, Morris said that the company is hoping to take the opportunity to partner with more retailers across the US.
Barkeater grew 50% year-on-year in the early years of its business, and it’s growing at a rate of 10% to 15% today. Morris said the company is aiming for a 25% increase this year.