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{{Short description|Swiss chocolate maker founded in 1845}}
{{other uses|Lindt (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Confiserie Sprüngli}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{primary sources|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG
| logo = Lindt & Sprüngli.svg
| logo_size = 250
| image = Kilchberg - Lindt & Sprüngli - ZSG Helvetia 2015-09-09 18-03-57.JPG
| image_size = 250
| image_caption = Headquarters and factory in [[Kilchberg, Zürich|Kilchberg]]
| type = [[Public company|Public]] (''[[Aktiengesellschaft]]'')
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{SWX|LISN}} ([[registered share]])|{{SWX|LISP}} ([[participation certificate]])}}
| founders = {{ubl|[[David Sprüngli]] |[[Rodolphe Lindt|Rudolf Lindt]]}}
| key_people = [[Ernst Tanner]] ([[Executive Chairman]])<br />Adalbert Lechner ([[CEO]])
| ISIN = {{ubl|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|CH0010570759}}|{{ISIN|sl=n|pl=y|CH0010570767}}}}
| industry = [[Confectionery]]
| products = {{hlist|Chocolate| confectionery| [[ice cream]]}}
| revenue = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{CHF|4.97 billion|link=yes|ISO=yes}} (2022)}}
| operating_income = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{CHF|745 million|ISO=yes}} (2022)}}
| net_income = {{nowrap|{{increase}} {{CHF|570 million|ISO=yes}} (2022)}}
| assets = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{CHF|7.95 billion|ISO=yes}} (2022)}}
| equity = {{nowrap|{{decrease}} {{CHF|4.40 billion|ISO=yes}} (2022)}}
| owner = Lindt & Sprüngli AG Fonds für Pensionsergänzungen (15.43%)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://reports.lindt-spruengli.com/annual-report-2023/corporate-governance/group-structure-and-shareholders.html | title=Group structure and shareholders | access-date=15 April 2024 | archive-date=16 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190909/https://reports.lindt-spruengli.com/annual-report-2023/corporate-governance/group-structure-and-shareholders.html | url-status=live }}</ref><br />[[Ernst Tanner]] (2.277%)<br />Rudolf Konrad Sprüngli (0.8091%)
| num_employees = 14,466
| num_employees_year = 2022
| divisions = 
| subsid = {{ubl|[[Ghirardelli Chocolate Company|Ghirardelli]]|[[Russell Stover Candies|Russell Stover]]|[[Caffarel]]|[[Hofbauer]]|Küfferle}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1845|df=yes|p=yes}}
| location_city = [[Kilchberg, Zürich|Kilchberg]]
| location_country = Switzerland
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.lindt-spruengli.com/|lindt-spruengli.com}}
| footnotes = <ref name=FR>{{cite web|title=Lindt & Sprüngli Group Financial Key Data|publisher=Lindt Sprüngli AG|url=https://reports.lindt-spruengli.com/annual-report-2022/financial-report/five-year-overview/financial-key-data.html|access-date=24 March 2023|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323042948/https://reports.lindt-spruengli.com/annual-report-2022/financial-report/five-year-overview/financial-key-data.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Change in Group Management of Lindt & Sprüngli|publisher=Lindt Sprüngli AG|url=https://www.lindt-spruengli.com/press-releases-and-news/change-in-group-management-of-lindt-sprungli/|date=27 June 2022|language=en|access-date=1 October 2022|archive-date=1 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001150331/https://www.lindt-spruengli.com/press-releases-and-news/change-in-group-management-of-lindt-sprungli/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
'''Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli AG''',{{efn|{{Translation|Chocolate Factories Lindt & Sprüngli AG}}; {{IPA|de|ʃokoˈlaːdəfaˌbriːkn̩ ˈlɪnt ʊnd ˈʃprʏŋli aːˈɡeː|pron}}}} [[doing business as]] '''Lindt''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Outline on the Story & Creation of Lindt {{!}} LindtUSA |url=https://www.lindtusa.com/story-of-lindt |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=www.lindtusa.com |archive-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719102217/https://www.lindtusa.com/story-of-lindt |url-status=live }}</ref> is a Swiss [[chocolatier]] and confectionery company founded in 1845<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lindt & Sprungli {{!}} Company Overview & News |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/lindt-sprungli/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210145647/https://www.forbes.com/companies/lindt-sprungli/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and known for its [[chocolate truffle]]s and chocolate bars, among other sweets. It is based in [[Kilchberg, Zürich|Kilchberg]], where its main factory and museum are located. Lindt is one of the largest [[Swiss chocolate]] manufacturers.

==History==
===Founding and early years===
{{multiple image
|align = left
|total_width = 250
|image1 = Rodolphe lindt portrait c1881.jpg
|image2 = David sprungli portrait.jpg
|footer = Rodolphe Lindt (left) and [[David Sprüngli]], founders
}}
The origins of the company date back to 1836, when [[David Sprüngli]] (1776–1862) and his son Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann (1816–1897)<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Squicciarini|first=Mara P.|title=The Economics of Chocolate|date=2016|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> bought a small confectionery shop in the old town of [[Zürich]], producing chocolates under the name David Sprüngli & Son. Before they moved to [[Paradeplatz]] in 1845, they established a small factory where they produced their chocolate in solidified form in 1838.

When Rudolf Sprüngli-Ammann retired in 1892, he gave two equal parts of the business to his sons. The younger brother David Robert received two confectionery stores that became known under the name [[Confiserie Sprüngli]]. The elder brother Johann Rudolf received the chocolate factory. To raise the necessary finances for his expansion plans, Johann Rudolf then converted his private company into "Chocolat Sprüngli AG" in 1899. In that same year, he acquired the chocolate factory of [[Rodolphe Lindt]] (1855–1909) in [[Bern]], which Lindt had founded in 1879,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/cocoa-kings_the-pioneers-of-switzerland-s--chocolate-revolution-/43592024|title=The pioneers of Switzerland's 'Chocolate Revolution'|date=13 December 2017|website=swissinfo.ch|access-date=18 January 2024|archive-date=4 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104171535/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/cocoa-kings_the-pioneers-of-switzerland-s--chocolate-revolution-/43592024|url-status=live}}</ref> and the company changed its name to "Aktiengesellschaft Vereinigte Berner und Zürcher Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprüngli" (United Bern and Zurich Lindt and Sprungli Chocolate Factory Ltd.).<ref name="lindtusa1">{{cite web|title=Story of Lindt|url=https://www.lindtusa.com/story-of-lindt|website=LindtUSA|access-date=20 November 2016|language=en|archive-date=19 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719102217/https://www.lindtusa.com/story-of-lindt|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although solid [[milk chocolate]] had been invented in Switzerland in 1875, Lindt first began producing milk chocolate in 1934. Before, it only produced dark chocolate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lindt-spruengli.com/about-us/history |title=About Lindt |access-date=21 May 2022 |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527175503/https://www.lindt-spruengli.com/about-us/history |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1936, Lindt & Sprüngli signed a production licence agreement with the German company Leonard Monheim AG. In 1986, Lindt & Sprüngli took over production and since then, the majority of its internationally distributed products are manufactured in [[Aachen]] near the Westbahnhof.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gesichter einer Stadt - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/article109631442/Gesichter-einer-Stadt.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1986-07-20 |title=Hartes Brot |url=https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/hartes-brot-a-90e81b40-0002-0001-0000-000013518911 |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=16 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216151200/https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/hartes-brot-a-90e81b40-0002-0001-0000-000013518911 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Expansion===
In 1994, Lindt & Sprüngli acquired the Austrian chocolatier Hofbauer Österreich and integrated it, along with its Küfferle brand, into the company. In 1997 and 1998, respectively, the company acquired the Italian chocolatier [[Caffarel]] and the American chocolatier [[Ghirardelli Chocolate Company|Ghirardelli]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 January 1998|title=Spotlight: Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. Is Sold Again|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-13-fi-7689-story.html|access-date=19 June 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203150/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-13-fi-7689-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ghirardelli Chocolate Sold|url=https://apnews.com/140837168b11f1fbf37475d914829c70|access-date=19 June 2020|website=AP NEWS|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203655/https://apnews.com/140837168b11f1fbf37475d914829c70|url-status=live}}</ref> and integrated both of them into the company as wholly-owned subsidiaries. Since then, Lindt & Sprüngli has expanded the once-regional Ghirardelli to the international market.

On 17 March 2009, Lindt announced the closure of fifty of its eighty retail boutiques in the United States because of weaker demand in the wake of the [[late-2000s recession]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wiggins|first1=Jenny|title=Lindt closes lid on most of its US stores|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ebefec5a-131c-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ebefec5a-131c-11de-a170-0000779fd2ac.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=3 January 2016|work=Financial Times|date=17 March 2009}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

On 26 March 2012, the Supreme Court in [[Vienna]] ruled in a decade-long case against [[Austria|Austrian]] manufacturer Hauswirth that the golden chocolate bunny with a red ribbon, also known as the Gold Bunny, may only be sold in Austria in this form by Lindt & Sprüngli.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-26 |title=Osterhasen-Streit: Lindt gewinnt |url=https://kurier.at/wirtschaft/osterhasen-streit-lindt-gewinnt/772.261 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=kurier.at |language=de |archive-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221221914/https://kurier.at/wirtschaft/osterhasen-streit-lindt-gewinnt/772.261 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 May 2012, Lindt & Sprüngli was defeated at the [[European Court of Justice]] in its attempt to obtain trademark protection for the Gold Bunny throughout Europe. In the application proceedings, which had been ongoing since 2004, the company was unable to prove that the average European consumer would identify the manufacturer of the bunny from its appearance. EU-wide protection was therefore not possible. On 28 March 2013, the Federal Court of Justice in [[Karlsruhe]] dismissed an appeal by Lindt & Sprüngli against a ruling by the [[Frankfurt|Frankfurt am Main]] [[Oberlandesgericht|Higher Regional Court]] allowing the Franconian company Riegelein to sell a sitting chocolate bunny. The German manufacturer offers its bunny in a slightly darker, bronze-coloured foil. The [[Federal Court of Justice]]'s decision ruled out any likelihood of confusion between the two products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Verbraucher: Goldhase von Lindt muss Konkurrenz dulden - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news3/article114849775/Goldhase-von-Lindt-muss-Konkurrenz-dulden.html |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=DIE WELT |language=de |archive-date=1 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201033718/https://www.welt.de/newsticker/news3/article114849775/Goldhase-von-Lindt-muss-Konkurrenz-dulden.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 18 December 2012, it was announced that Lindt & Sprüngli had lost a lawsuit against Haribo before the [[Cologne]] Regional Court due to the similarity between the Lindt & Sprüngli "Lindt Teddy" chocolate bear and the Haribo Gold Bears, and had to withdraw the chocolate bears from the market.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-12-18 |title=Lindts Schoko-Teddy sieht Haribos Goldbären zu ähnlich |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/urteil-zu-markenrecht-lindts-schoko-teddy-sieht-haribos-goldbaeren-zu-aehnlich-1.1553909 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}</ref> However, in April 2014, the Cologne Higher Regional Court overturned the decision, allowing the bears to continue to be sold for the time being.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Radomsky |first=Stephan |date=2015-09-23 |title=BGH-Urteil - Lindt-Teddy gewinnt gegen Haribos Goldbär |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/bgh-urteil-treffen-sich-zwei-baeren-vor-gericht-1.2660710 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}</ref> The Cologne Higher Regional Court then dismissed the Bonn-based gummy bear manufacturer's lawsuit. Haribo appealed against this decision to the Federal Court of Justice. This was rejected by the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe in September 2015. The judges ruled that Haribo's trademark rights were not infringed by the "Lindt Teddy".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-23 |title=Lindt gewinnt Goldbärenstreit gegen Haribo vor Bundesgerichtshof |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/lindt-gewinnt-goldbaerenstreit-gegen-haribo-vor-bundesgerichtshof-13818966.html |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=FAZ.NET |language=de}}</ref>

On 14 July 2014,  Lindt bought [[Russell Stover Candies]], maker of Whitman's Chocolate, for about $1 billion, the company's largest acquisition to date.<ref>{{cite web|last1=MacLucas|first1=Neil|title=Lindt & Spruengli to Buy Russell Stover Candies|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lindt-spruengli-to-buy-russell-stover-candies-1405320538|website=Wall Street Journal|access-date=24 October 2017|date=14 July 2014|archive-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025022508/https://www.wsj.com/articles/lindt-spruengli-to-buy-russell-stover-candies-1405320538|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Due to the 60% praline market share of Russel Stover, Lindt became the third largest chocolate company in North America, while also having a presence with its other brands.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-07-14 |title=Lindt & Sprüngli kauft die Pralinés von «Forrest Gump» |url=https://www.nzz.ch/wirtschaft/lindt-kauft-praline-produzenten-russell-stover-ld.845424 |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829}}</ref>

=== Corporate developments ===
In September 2017, an investigation conducted by NGO Mighty Earth<ref>{{cite web|last1=Higonett|first1=Etelle|last2=Bellantonio|first2=Marisa|last3=Hurowitz|first3=Glenn|title=Chocolate's Dark Secret|url=http://www.mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/chocolates_dark_secret_english_web.pdf|website=Mighty|access-date=2 November 2017|date=15 September 2017|archive-date=26 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226152648/http://www.mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/chocolates_dark_secret_english_web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> found that a large amount of the cocoa used in chocolate produced by Lindt and other major chocolate companies was grown illegally in [[national park]]s and other protected areas in the [[Ivory Coast]] and [[Ghana]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Olam to acquire global cocoa business of Archer Daniels Midland for $1.7 billion|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/olam-to-acquire-global-cocoa-business-of-archer-daniels-midland-for-17|website=The Straits Times|access-date=2 November 2017|language=en|date=16 December 2014|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212154425/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/olam-to-acquire-global-cocoa-business-of-archer-daniels-midland-for-17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Olam Livelihood Charter 2016|url=http://49tmko49h46b4e0czy3rlqaye1b.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Olam-Livelihood-Charter-report-2016-2.pdf|website=Olam|access-date=2 November 2017|date=September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055533/http://49tmko49h46b4e0czy3rlqaye1b.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Olam-Livelihood-Charter-report-2016-2.pdf|archive-date=7 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> the world's two largest [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]] producers.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wessel|first1=Marius|last2=Quist-Wessel|first2=P.M. Foluke|title=Cocoa production in West Africa, a review and analysis of recent developments|journal=NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences|volume=74-75|pages=1–7|doi=10.1016/j.njas.2015.09.001|date=December 2015|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Harris|first1=Nancy|last2=Payne|first2=Octavia|last3=Alix Mann|first3=Sarah|title=How Much Rainforest Is in That Chocolate Bar?|url=http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/08/how-much-rainforest-chocolate-bar|website=World Resources Institute|access-date=2 November 2017|language=en|date=6 August 2015|archive-date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102001232/http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/08/how-much-rainforest-chocolate-bar|url-status=live}}</ref> Mighty Earth's 2019 annual "Easter Chocolate Shopping Guide" awarded The Good Egg Award to Lindt "for greatest improvement in sustainable policies".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/Mighty-Easter-Chocolate-Buying-Guide-Final-low.pdf|title=Mighty Earth 2019 Easter Chocolate Buying Guide|date=April 2019|website=Mighty Earth|access-date=23 August 2019|archive-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823233113/http://www.mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/Mighty-Easter-Chocolate-Buying-Guide-Final-low.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in terms of agroforestry, Lindt scored only a yellow rating, the second-highest of 4, for Agroforestry and a red ('needs to catch up with the industry') for Agrochemical Management on the 2022 Chocolate Scorecard, which since 2020 is a collaboration between Mighty Earth, Be Slavery Free and other NGOs. 

In November 2018, Lindt opened its first American [[Duty-free shop|travel retail]] store in [[JFK Airport]]'s Terminal 1 and its flagship Canadian shop in [[Yorkdale Shopping Centre]], Toronto.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Madden |first1=Chris |title=Lindt & Sprüngli Travel Retail sees sales jump as Master Chocolatiers debut in US |url=https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/lindt-sprungli-sees-sales-jump-master-chocolatiers-debut-us-29-11-2018/ |website=DFNI Online |date=29 November 2018 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204005752/https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/lindt-sprungli-sees-sales-jump-master-chocolatiers-debut-us-29-11-2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=DeMontis |first1=Rita |title=Lindt flagship store lands at Yorkdale |url=https://canoe.com/life/food/1128-gglindtyorkdale/wcm/0cafa6b9-49e7-40ef-922a-a42fc2e434c4 |website=Canoe.com |access-date=3 December 2018 |date=28 November 2018 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204011356/https://canoe.com/life/food/1128-gglindtyorkdale/wcm/0cafa6b9-49e7-40ef-922a-a42fc2e434c4 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Because the chocolate bunnies sold by Confiserie Heilemann in 2018 were too similar to Lindt's Gold Bunny, the [[Munich]] Higher Regional Court prohibited Heilemann from selling any more chocolate bunnies in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lindt & Sprüngli-Aktie unter Druck: Lindt setzt sich in Rechtsstreit um "Goldhasen" durch |url=https://www.finanzen.ch/nachrichten/aktien/lindt-&-spruengli-aktie-unter-druck-lindt-setzt-sich-in-rechtsstreit-um-goldhasen-durch-1031841870 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221220123048/https://www.finanzen.ch/nachrichten/aktien/lindt-&-spruengli-aktie-unter-druck-lindt-setzt-sich-in-rechtsstreit-um-goldhasen-durch-1031841870 |archive-date=2022-12-20 |access-date=2025-05-23 |work=finanzen.ch |language=de}}</ref> The colour and design were not sufficiently different from Lindt's Gold Bunny. The Federal Supreme Court had previously classified Lindt's Gold Bunny as a trademark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lindt-Goldhase: Schokoladenhase genießt laut BGH Markenschutz - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article232799189/Lindt-Goldhase-Schokoladenhase-geniesst-laut-BGH-Markenschutz.html |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}</ref>

In August 2020, the [[Federal Antimonopoly Service]] of Russia (FAS) opened up an [[antitrust]] case against Lindt after a failed response from the company a year earlier. The regulators have found quality differences for the same Lindt products in Russia over what is being sold in Western markets without informing Russian consumers. According to the FAS, such behaviour of foreign producers can lead to a redistribution of demand in the market and lead to unjustified benefits over other competitors, as companies like Lindt can still garner Russian demand for their products through [[Brand awareness|brand recognition]] alone without delivering the same quality as in Western Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian antimonopoly watchdog opens case against Lindt chocolate producer |url=https://tass.com/economy/1193707 |access-date=25 August 2020 |archive-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827191358/https://tass.com/economy/1193707 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Federal Antimonopoly service has opened a case against the manufacturer of Lindt chocolate |date=25 August 2020 |url=https://iz.ru/1052481/2020-08-25/fas-vozbuda-delo-protiv-proizvoditeli-shokolada-lindt |access-date=25 August 2020 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811062425/https://iz.ru/1052481/2020-08-25/fas-vozbudila-delo-protiv-proizvoditelia-shokolada-lindt |url-status=live }}</ref> Lindt responded and denied that there are differences for its products sold in Russia and the EU, except for [[Packaging and labeling|labeling]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lindt denies differences in the composition of chocolate sold in Russia and the EU |url=https://tass.ru/ekonomika/9287893 |access-date=25 August 2020 |archive-date=13 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613022834/https://tass.ru/ekonomika/9287893 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in response to the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Lindt announced on 9 March 2022 that it would temporarily close its eight Russian shops and suspend deliveries to Russia, and on 13 August 2022, the company announced that it would permanently exit the Russian market.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Euro News|title=Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli has announced that it has decided to withdraw from the Russian market|url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/08/17/swiss-chocolate-maker-lindt-withdraws-from-russia|access-date=2024-10-03|publisher=Euro News|date=2022-08-17|archive-date=7 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091714/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/08/17/swiss-chocolate-maker-lindt-withdraws-from-russia|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lindt achieved sales of CHF 4.6 billion in 2021, an increase of 14.2 per cent over the previous year. Net profit increased by 53.2 per cent to CHF 490.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-08 |title=Schoko-Markt wächst |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/lindt-spruengli-schoko-markt-waechst-1.5543378 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de |archive-date=30 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130050917/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/lindt-spruengli-schoko-markt-waechst-1.5543378 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the previous year, sales fell by 6.1 per cent to CHF 4.02 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nachrichten |first=Stuttgarter |title=Coronavirus trifft Süßigkeiten: Schokokonzern Lindt & Sprüngli mit starken Umsatzeinbußen |url=https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.coronavirus-trifft-suessigkeiten-schokokonzern-lindt-spruengli-mit-starken-umsatzeinbussen.b112fbc5-ba92-46a0-89c8-c72e126f12e8.html |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=stuttgarter-nachrichten.de |language=de |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222050108/https://www.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/inhalt.coronavirus-trifft-suessigkeiten-schokokonzern-lindt-spruengli-mit-starken-umsatzeinbussen.b112fbc5-ba92-46a0-89c8-c72e126f12e8.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, Lindt & Sprüngli was criticised for wasting food. In order to avoid discount campaigns, employees of the company used cardboard knives or ballpoint pens to destroy Lindt products in several [[Edeka]] stores in northern [[Hesse]] that were still a few weeks from reaching their [[expiration date]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-22 |title=Warum zerstört Hersteller Lindt die eigene Schokolade? |url=https://www.t-online.de/finanzen/aktuelles/wirtschaft/id_100096484/lindt-gezielte-zerstoerung-schoko-hersteller-zerstoert-ware-vor-reduzierungen.html |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.t-online.de |language=de |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926120120/https://www.t-online.de/finanzen/aktuelles/wirtschaft/id_100096484/lindt-gezielte-zerstoerung-schoko-hersteller-zerstoert-ware-vor-reduzierungen.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-12-24 |title=Lindt: „Alles kaputt“ – Edeka-Geschäftsleiter macht Schoko-Hersteller harte Vorwürfe |url=https://www.merkur.de/wirtschaft/lindt-spruengli-edeka-geschaeftsleiter-schokolade-zerstoert-pralinen-rabatt-vorwuerfe-91992896.html |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=www.merkur.de |language=de |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926120121/https://www.merkur.de/wirtschaft/lindt-spruengli-edeka-geschaeftsleiter-schokolade-zerstoert-pralinen-rabatt-vorwuerfe-91992896.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lindt's statement that the company only offers "goods that meet quality standards", which is why "products that are no longer fit for consumption or sale are marked as unfit for sale by the field sales force and removed from the store", did not dispel the allegation.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Schokomarke Lindt in der Kritik: Lindt Mitarbeiter sollen eigene Produkte in Supermärkten zerstört haben |url=https://www.focus.de/panorama/schokomarke-lindt-in-der-kritik-lindt-mitarbeiter-sollen-eigene-produkte-in-supermaerkten-zerstoert-haben_id_181089745.html |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Focus |language=German |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926120121/https://www.focus.de/panorama/schokomarke-lindt-in-der-kritik-lindt-mitarbeiter-sollen-eigene-produkte-in-supermaerkten-zerstoert-haben_id_181089745.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Braatz |first=Nora |date=2022-12-23 |title="Maßlos wütend": Zerstört Lindt seine eigene Schokolade absichtlich? |url=https://utopia.de/news/masslos-wuetend-zerstoert-lindt-seine-eigene-schokolade-absichtlich_445993/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Utopia.de |language=de-DE |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926120122/https://utopia.de/news/masslos-wuetend-zerstoert-lindt-seine-eigene-schokolade-absichtlich_445993/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2022, Lindt was among one of many dark chocolate bars that have contained either high amounts of [[lead]] or [[cadmium]] metals, when compared against California's maximum daily allowable dose level, according to Consumer Reports study "Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Consumer Reports |language=en-US |archive-date=12 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112194257/https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The cadmium levels are still within the EU limit of 0.80mg/kg for dark chocolate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cadmium in chocolate, European Commission |url=https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-03/cs_contaminants_catalogue_cadmium_chocolate_en.pdf |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314204630/https://food.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-03/cs_contaminants_catalogue_cadmium_chocolate_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, Lindt partnered with ChoViva, a German cocoa-free chocolate brand, and launched vegan chocolates using oats and sunflower seeds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vegconomist.com/food-and-beverage/sweets-snacks/lindt-cocoa-free-chocolate-brand-choviva/|title=Lindt Partners With Cocoa-Free Chocolate Brand ChoViva to Launch New Vegan Bar|work=vegconomist|date=21 December 2023|access-date=16 January 2024|archive-date=16 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116200312/https://vegconomist.com/food-and-beverage/sweets-snacks/lindt-cocoa-free-chocolate-brand-choviva/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2023, the company announced that it would no longer target advertising to children under 16. In doing so, the company aims to align itself with market ''Best Practice''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lindt & Sprüngli: Marketing bei Jugendlichen wird gestoppt |url=https://www.persoenlich.com/kategorie-werbung/marketing-bei-jugendlichen-wird-gestoppt |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=persoenlich.com |language=de-CH |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926112122/https://www.persoenlich.com/kategorie-werbung/marketing-bei-jugendlichen-wird-gestoppt |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2024, [[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen]] conducted an investigation in Ghana and uncovered [[child labour]] on the plantations where cocoa is produced for Lindt & Sprüngli. According to the report, the company's monitoring programme in Ghana, where Lindt sources from around 80,000 farmers, proved to be inadequate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Lindt & Sprüngli - In Schweizer Schoggi steckt Kinderarbeit |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/lindt-spruengli-in-schweizer-schoggi-steckt-kinderarbeit |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) |language=de |archive-date=3 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003225120/https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/lindt-spruengli-in-schweizer-schoggi-steckt-kinderarbeit |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2024, an extension to the [[Olten]] plant, which Lindt says is the company's largest cocoa mass plant, was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Regional |first=Keystone-SDA |title=Lindt & Sprüngli hat Kakaomasse-Werk in Olten SO ausgebaut |url=https://www.nau.ch/ort/olten/lindt-sprungli-hat-kakaomasse-werk-in-olten-so-ausgebaut-66756490 |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Nau |language=de |archive-date=26 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926114218/https://www.nau.ch/ort/olten/lindt-sprungli-hat-kakaomasse-werk-in-olten-so-ausgebaut-66756490 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Factories==<!--Lindt Home of Chocolate redirects here-->
Lindt & Sprüngli has twelve factories: [[Kilchberg, Zürich|Kilchberg]], Switzerland; [[Aachen]], Germany; [[Oloron-Sainte-Marie]], France; [[Induno Olona]], Italy; [[Gloggnitz]], Austria; and [[Stratham, New Hampshire|Stratham]], [[New Hampshire]], in the United States. The factory in Gloggnitz manufactures products under the Hofbauer & Küfferle brand, in addition to the Lindt brand. Caffarel's factory is located in [[Luserna San Giovanni]], Italy, and Ghirardelli's factory is located in [[San Leandro, California]], in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Contact Us for Ghirardelli|url=https://www.ghirardelli.com/contact-us#M0I2WkhtutW0WucD.97|website=Ghirardelli|access-date=24 October 2017|language=en|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024152937/https://www.ghirardelli.com/contact-us#M0I2WkhtutW0WucD.97|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, there are four more factories of Russell Stover in the United States, including locations in [[Corsicana, Texas]]; [[Abilene, Kansas]]; and [[Iola, Kansas]].

Since 2020, the main factory of Kilchberg has included a visitor centre and museum, referred to as ''Lindt Home of Chocolate''. The museum notably displays the world's largest chocolate fountain, measuring over nine metres tall and containing 1,500 litres of chocolate, flowing from a giant whisk.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lindt has opened the world's largest chocolate museum in Zurich, complete with the largest chocolate fountain|url=https://www.timeout.com/switzerland/news/lindt-has-opened-the-worlds-largest-chocolate-museum-in-zurich-complete-with-the-largest-chocolate-fountain-091820|website=timeout.com|date=18 September 2020 |access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517050918/https://www.timeout.com/switzerland/news/lindt-has-opened-the-worlds-largest-chocolate-museum-in-zurich-complete-with-the-largest-chocolate-fountain-091820|url-status=live}}</ref> The museum takes the visitor through the history of chocolate and the chocolate industry. There are plenty of opportunities to taste various kinds of chocolate at the end of the tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=David |date=2023-08-28 |title=Lindt Chocolate Factory |url=https://newby2experttraveler.com/2023/08/28/lindt-chocolate-factory/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Newby to Expert Traveler |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable products==
{{anchor|Lindor}}
{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Lindt 70 Cocoa Salon Du Chocolat (55775656).jpeg|thumb|Excellence]]
| [[File:Lindt Swiss Luxury Selection 195g - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Pralines]]
| [[File:Lindorkugeln1.jpeg|thumb|Lindor]]
| [[File:Lindt bunnies.jpg|thumb|Gold Bunny]]
|}

==Lindt chocolate cafés and stores==
Lindt has opened over 410 chocolate cafés and shops all over the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=More Than 410 Own Shops Worldwide|url=http://www.lindt-spruengli.com/about-us/global-retail/|access-date=7 May 2018|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514091747/http://www.lindt-spruengli.com/about-us/global-retail/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Marc Pallisco |url=http://www.realestatesource.com.au/flagship-lindt-chocolat-cafe-to-open-in-collins-street-melbourne.html |title=Flagship Lindt Chocolat Cafe to Open in Collins Street, Melbourne |publisher=Real Estate Source |date=31 May 2009 |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106215430/http://www.realestatesource.com.au/flagship-lindt-chocolat-cafe-to-open-in-collins-street-melbourne.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The cafés' menu mostly focuses on chocolate and desserts. Lindt chocolate cafés also sell handmade chocolates, macaroons, cakes, and ice cream.

On 15 December 2014, eighteen people, including eight staff, were [[2014 Sydney siege|held hostage]] at a Lindt café in Sydney. Three people, including the gunman, died in the incident.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Doherty|first1=Ben|last2=Jabour|first2=Bridie|last3=Delaney|first3=Brigid|last4=Wahlquist|first4=Calla|last5=Davidson|first5=Helen|last6=Safi|first6=Michael|last7=Milman|first7=Oliver|last8=Farrell|first8=Paul|date=20 December 2014|title=Sydney siege: how a day and night of terror unfolded at the Lindt cafe|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/20/sydney-siege-timeline-how-a-day-and-night-of-terror-unfolded-at-the-lindt-cafe|access-date=1 July 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=15 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615070041/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/20/sydney-siege-timeline-how-a-day-and-night-of-terror-unfolded-at-the-lindt-cafe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lindt Cafe: The day international terrorism came to Australia|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/lindt-cafe-siege-2010s-how-it-changed-australia-decade-in-review/51e7062c-e128-4a65-b1a6-991b487e29be|access-date=1 July 2020|website=www.9news.com.au|date=28 December 2019 |archive-date=2 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702000543/https://www.9news.com.au/national/lindt-cafe-siege-2010s-how-it-changed-australia-decade-in-review/51e7062c-e128-4a65-b1a6-991b487e29be|url-status=live}}</ref>

{|style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
| [[File:Lindt in Zurich Airport.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Lindt store at [[Zurich Airport]]]]
| [[File:Lindt Store in Canal Walk mall, Cape Town.jpg|thumb|Lindt store in [[Canal Walk]] mall, [[Cape Town]]]]
| [[File:Lindt, Trinity Leeds (1st December 2017).jpg|thumb|Lindt store in [[Leeds]]]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Companies
}}
*[[List of bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturers]]
*[[Cocoa-free chocolate alternative]]
*The [[Lindt Cafe siege]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lindt and Sprungli}}
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